MP401 Somethings fishy here.

**tonnerboy** · 10-07-2016

I heard about a study carried out by Ricoh due to lack of reliability of this componente (PCDU). Apparently they came to the conclusion that the PCDU ventilation system contaminates the development unit with dust.
It Has some logic because if you look carefully the defect always appears on the right side of the drum ...

I have this devices on some client and we arranged a filter to put in the ventilation system that in some cases the PCDU lasted just 5k...

So far there appears to be positive results... We have managed to reduce the impact.

**Jehosaphat94** · 10-07-2016

Originally Posted by tonnerboy

I heard about a study carried out by Ricoh due to lack of reliability of this componente (PCDU). Apparently they came to the conclusion that the PCDU ventilation system contaminates the development unit with dust.
It Has some logic because if you look carefully the defect always appears on the right side of the drum ...

I have this devices on some client and we arranged a filter to put in the ventilation system that in some cases the PCDU lasted just 5k...

So far there appears to be positive results... We have managed to reduce the impact.

Ok glad it is not just me. Do you have a link or something to this study by Ricoh? Also how do add a filter to the ventilation system on these units?

**Lawrence** · 10-07-2016

Originally Posted by Jehosaphat94

Ok glad it is not just me. Do you have a link or something to this study by Ricoh? Also how do add a filter to the ventilation system on these units?

I have some experience with adding ventilation to Canon and Sharp machines, im sure i could explain the principle and you could apply it to a Ricoh.

copiers.jpg

**Imprestik** · 10-08-2016

Yeah I got a client with 3 of these with over 150K on each of them.

i cant remember how many pcdus i have fitted, biggest dog box yet.

should of stayed with the mp301 type of device, a lot more reliable

**slimslob** · 10-08-2016

It has been an on going problem with this type of 45K PCU. Development roller seize up and give a development motor error at roughly 20-25K. It is similar to the problem with the 25 to 35 page models with rebuildable PCU starting with the 3025 where the development gears strip and the machine keeps asking for toner. Ricoh came out and said that it was the result of developer working through the rear bushings on the mixer shafts and to replace the development unit. I have found recently that it is also from the openings at the front and rear of the development that the developer passes through from one mixing shaft to the other becoming clogged and causing the developer to stack up and bind the shafts. I used a spring hook to clean the openings and was able to get the developer to mix properly. The clogs could be the result of the dust mentioned by tonnerboy.

**tonnerboy** · 10-10-2016

Originally Posted by Jehosaphat94

Ok glad it is not just me. Do you have a link or something to this study by Ricoh? Also how do add a filter to the ventilation system on these units?

filter.JPG

**sturmtrooper** · 10-10-2016

Originally Posted by slimslob

Ricoh came out and said that it was the result of developer working through the rear bushings on the mixer shafts and to replace the development unit

I've had this issue with 5002 and it's predecessors. Machine didn't even make it to 160k. God I hate those machines so much.

**sturmtrooper** · 10-10-2016

Originally Posted by tonnerboy

filter.JPG

What did you use as the filter mesh?

Also here is the picture of the messed up drum I promised. They just called again today for lines. Tally ho boys.

http://i.imgur.com/i7TtrqJ.jpg

**sturmtrooper** · 10-11-2016

When I went yesterday the drum in the machine was damaged as it has been before, just in a different location closer to the edge of the drum. I went back this morning and called Ricoh tech line and they literally had nothing for me other than to tear the machine down and look for a cause. Their other suggestion was to replace the transfer roller along with a new drum.

My plan is to do the transer, drum, a new toner cartridge and to add a filter to the PCDU fan intake as well.

**Jehosaphat94** · 10-12-2016

Originally Posted by sturmtrooper

When I went yesterday the drum in the machine was damaged as it has been before, just in a different location closer to the edge of the drum. I went back this morning and called Ricoh tech line and they literally had nothing for me other than to tear the machine down and look for a cause. Their other suggestion was to replace the transfer roller along with a new drum.

My plan is to do the transer, drum, a new toner cartridge and to add a filter to the PCDU fan intake as well.

Pease keep us updated if this helps. It would mean alot!