Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

**mrwho** · 07-22-2011

We recently sold some MP201SPF machines and we are now getting a lot of those with error SC500 related to the drum unit not rotating properly at around 5k copies/prints, give or take 1k.

I've tried to recover one of those IUs without success - the machine worked fine for a short while and then back to the same.

Anyone here has any clue on what causes this to happen so often?

**Ollie1981** · 07-22-2011

I've had quite a few of these crap out with generic toner, SC500 is generally the dev unit seizing up to the point where it locks the main motor.

**mrwho** · 07-22-2011

Well, we're using OEM toner so that's not the cause, at least on these cases. Thanks for the heads-up, though.

**Ollie1981** · 07-22-2011

The PCU on these is pretty much a downsized version of the unit from the 1018/1027 type machines and I now carry a complete lower development unit (the part with the augers, but it comes minus the TD sensor) and all of the related gears (the white and black gears from the mag roller) for the 2018 machines and for the latest Russian machines with the technician servicable PCU (MP2510 etc)

It seems to be caused either by the development unit becoming too tight to turn for the plastic gears (possibly explaining the generic toner as it may have a denser consistency than the OEM) and/or a spill of developer into the gears themselves. Stripping down the lower dev unit on the 2018 type machines when I've had motor lock error codes I usually find the auger bearings seized.

I've never really bothered stripping down the type 1515 PCU before except for cleaning charge rollers, but I assume they're relatively similar to the type 1027 PCU.

Thing is though, there's really nothing else it could be besides something in the units themselves, there's literally nothing else in the machine besides the toner hopper, drum drive, laser unit and fuser. I take it the CQ was ok before they crapped out? Apart from some weird chronic overtoning/dev bias issue I don't know.

**zed255** · 07-22-2011

I have to wonder though, we never experienced any issues when the units were operating at lower CPM. As Ricoh jacks up the speed I think that the drum units need some re-engineering. Let's see, no issues at 13-16 CPM, a handful at 17 CPM and yet more at 21 CPM. Any thoughts on co-incidence?

**iambeetle84** · 07-22-2011

I agree with Zed... we never has those issues before machs were upgraded and now it seems once a week we're getting calls for sc500

**RebelPhoenix** · 08-02-2011

Maybe you must developer weight down. I think this trouble source is more developer weight. I buy a new drum unit after I reduce the developer weight in developer case. I put the 200gr. developer in developer case. (You can use Type21). So I made drum unit gears. When I see this trouble. I replace the drum unit gears. After replace the developer 200gr. So I think. This trouble real source is compatible toner.

**smac103** · 08-09-2011

same problem here, i agree with zed255 as to cause. as to solution, ricoh ,as usual,will admit to it as soon as they have a solution.

**Zeldaman** · 08-09-2011

Originally Posted by smac103

same problem here, i agree with zed255 as to cause. as to solution, ricoh ,as usual,will admit to it as soon as they have a solution.

Hi there!
In Germany we´ve got a new technical Information from RICOH, that there exist a whole series of PCU´s with very bad gears.They gave us the Lot-No´s: S00091200609-S00101200774 S10091201847-S10101202968 S20091209098-S20101208286 S30091216985-S30101219345
Greetings...

**Robinh** · 09-20-2011

Originally Posted by Zeldaman

Hi there!
In Germany we´ve got a new technical Information from RICOH, that there exist a whole series of PCU´s with very bad gears.They gave us the Lot-No´s: S00091200609-S00101200774 S10091201847-S10101202968 S20091209098-S20101208286 S30091216985-S30101219345
Greetings...

I checked some of my failed PCU's and they fall in these lot ranges. Were you able to get these replaced by Ricoh? Have you been able to resolve the problem? I thought perhaps the gears were weaker, but if developer is spilling into the gears, they are probably going to fail no matter how tough they are. I'd sure appreciate an update to this thread.

I stopped using aftermarket toner when I started having this problem, but the PCU's are still not going 45k even with OEM toner. Any ideas on how to keep the PCU's from over filling and spilling toner into the gears?

Thanks!

Robin