nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Does anyone know what to do when a printer (3 yrs. old) starts leaking black ink all over every print? I have cleaned the heads, the nozzles and everything else it suggests but no change. I called Epson and they said I would have to send it to a certified repair center, the closest of which is 7 hours away. Shipping would be exorbitant as it is very heavy. I can't afford to replace it (it was $900) and I'm sure a minor repair would probably fix it. Is it worth driving the 7 hours there and back to have it serviced?
(When I say leaking, it leaks globs of ink, not just a little. ) This is an Epson Stylus Photo R-3000 bought 3 yrs. ago.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

There is no question that was a good printer. It is a shame it is giving you trouble. Perhaps it is a bigger shame that the system of mass production can make new equipment for less money than paying hourly technicians to fix the same equipment.

One option is to replace it with a Canon Pixma Pro-100. The net price after rebate is now $150. The special includes 50 sheets of full sized paper worth $35. Canon includes a set of normal, not trial, ink tanks, worth about worth about $100. So the real net cost is about $15.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893738-REG/Canon_6228b002_Pixma_Pro_100_Photo_Inkjet.html

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

He's dead, Jim.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

It sounds as if your print head has given up the ghost. It can sometimes be user replaced on these consumer level printers (always replaceable on the Pro level units) if you are mechanically competent. Just order the proper print head, Epson Tech support can help you with the right one, remove the ink tanks, and replace the print head. If the print head is NOT user replaceable then you are out of luck as it will have to be factory serviced to put it back into production. Its a very fine printer and worth the cost in my opinion.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I agree with Carter (MT Shooter): replace the printhead if possible, or move on.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Here is a interesting and related topic on another forum:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3901848

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Sorry guys, the R3000 printhead is a major component and very expensive (compared to my Pixma $100 plug and play printhead). The cheapest I could find was a couple hundred, shipped from China. Here's a listing from an authorized Epson repair place. $422!
http://www.compassmicro.com/parts_detail.cfm?ID=7458&form.mfg=Epson&form.printerstyle=Inkjet&form.printername=Stylus%20Photo%20R3000

nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Thanks guys for the comments. Sounds like I am out of luck and will be out a lot of money either way I go. Goes to show that just paying a lot for something doesn't insure trouble-free operation. I might try to get it to a factory outlet and see what it would involve to repair it. I am also considering ordering a Canon Pixma 100 with a $200 rebate. Good idea. Nothing is more useless than a malfunctioning printer.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Before you locate the neighborhood trashcan try a tip from an older Canon printer support request. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, black ink pools under the print heads, or on the paper rollers feeding the paper.

Open the printer to replace the ink tanks, this should place the printer heads in the center of the carriage. Remove the power plug for safety. Take a normal sheet of white paper (20lb), fold it into quarters, and slide it under the printer heads. When the quartered sheet of paper is removed it will take the extra ink from the bottom of the printer heads. You may have to perform this several times to remove all the excess ink.

For the paper feed rollers, use another quarter folded sheet of paper and place the print heads in their normal resting position on the carriage (extreme right side). Feed the folded paper back into the printer to pass through the paper feed rollers. Perform this task until the paper is clean.

If this will not resolve the problem, or the problem occurs again, it may be time to place the printer out of its misery.
Michael G

nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Thank you Michael G. I will try this method and see if it works. As you say, if not, I may have to chalk it up to an expensive mistake.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Unfortunately that only works with printers using a combined cartridge/printhead unit Most of which are the Black and Tri-Color variety). The printer in question uses a master print head that never gets changed when the ink tanks are changed.

nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Oh, more bad news. THanks for the information MT Shooter.

The Watcher

Is the print head really leaking or might it be a plugged and dirty capping station, along with a print head wiper not doing its job?
The above; could make it seem like a leaky print head.
You say that you cleaned the print head, I'm wondering if you used a method similar to those described in the link below?
http://www.piezography.com/support/printhead_cleaning_tips.htm

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I have added this URL to the Printing FAQ page: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-334868-1.html