P7000 curious about odd nozzle check pattern

[John V.]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone help me understand this issue? When I print a nozzle check on my p7000, one of the lines (on LK channel)  is somewhat "arched" as compared to all the other printed lines, which are diagonal, as usual. Any ideas? Thank you.

[SigImage]

It could just be a slightly deflected nozzle, try to clean that color.

I'm sorry to say this but on my 9900 & 11880 when the vertical lines separating each color in the nozzle check start to bend, or arch to the side, it's a sure sign that the head going out. You say diagonal line though so might be something different. Good luck!

[Garnick]

  Hi John,

I have a possible reason of this issue by what you have written, but if you could scan and send the LK Channel that would be a great help.    Unfortunately, if it's what I think it might be it's not a good situation.

EDIT: 
I'm also going by my 9900 when it had the same issue and the vertical separation lines were basically bulging.  When I sent a scan of the LK Channel he told me New Head immediately.  I'm been having an issue in the LK channel myself as well but so far no bulging in the vertical lines.  It has although been out of commission for a few months.  That's not a big problem since I shut down my business of 47 years, although I still do some printing for previous customers and friends.  I'll have a tech in soon to fix the P7000 and all will be good again.  By the way, what's the age of your P7000?   

Gary 

[John V.]

Thanks for the responses guys, here's the scan. You can see the issue in the LK channel about 3/4 way down.

[John V.]

The machine is a few years old, but barely used. Very Very lightly used. I haven't even printed anything in months. Less than 200 prints total I would imagine.

[JRSmit]

Looks like a "mark" horizontal across the head. Did head cleaning give improvements?
 

[JRSmit]

Or because of the very light use the LK ink is causing problems. Is the ink old?

[Garnick]

The machine is a few years old, but barely used. Very Very lightly used. I haven't even printed anything in months. Less than 200 prints total I would imagine.

In my opinion the two sentences above tell the tail right there.  These printers love being worked but they hate just sitting around with nothing to do.  Like us, they NEED exercise.  I mentioned previously that I've also have had an issue with the LK Channel for probably 4 + months.  However, once a week I turn the printer on.  I then run a nozzle check as usual and of course the LK issue remains. I then print an image with 10 square blocks of all colours.  They all print well, even the LK, because It's density is contestant throughout the LK block.  I also pull all carts every few weeks and gently agitate them.  All of this is done to excersize the printer so that I hopefully won't have an issue in one of the other colours.

Hope this helps John.

Gary