IR C6800 white line on Cyan only in test 10

[BobComeau]

Hi all, I just recently purchased a used IRC6800 with about 800000 clicks on it. I'm not a trained tech but am a fast learner and pretty capable. I'm suspecting a bit of dirt in either the toner cartridge or the developer. I have manuals and believe I can get to the developers if I take my time, but I'd like to take a look at the cyan toner cartridge first. It seems like such a simple thing, but how do I get the cyan cartridge to come to the opening where you can change them? Stop laughing. An associate of mine managed to put the new ones in by somehow catching it by opening the door at just the right time during boot up, there must be a better way. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[yourownfree]

this is a complicated machine to service if you haven't done so. its not a simple explanation as to how to remove components to get to the developers. or any other part for you to check. I would study the manual and go step by step. Get a user manual first.

[Oze]

There IS a service mode adjustment that adds a button to Additional functions>adjustments and cleaning for the customers to be able to move the dev turret to any position that they like.
I'll find the info tomorrow...but as yourownfree stated...of all the canon copiers the IRC6800 and 3100 are the two biggest pain in the butts to work on for trained techs let alone a layman.

[BobComeau]

Thanks for the responses thus far. Most appreciated.

I have some manuals on CD and have noted that getting into the belly of the beast will be challenging if I have to go there. It sounds like I picked a good machine to train myself on.

The part scaring me at the moment is the little cross piece that holds the drum in place as part of pulling out the process unit. It sounds like you use the tool only to remove the screw holding the drum in place so that it does not turn while you try to remove the screw. It's a bit ambiguous about what happens next. When I pull the unit will the drum remain behind? I assume so otherwise why would I remove that screw. Given that I've done that found my bit of dirt or whatever and want to put it back together, apparently I have to hope that the drum is still in the position it was in when I put tool back in place to reinstall the screw. Seems a bit chancy. I'd rather just pull the toner cartridge and have a peek first.

[Oze]

Thanks for the responses thus far. Most appreciated.

I have some manuals on CD and have noted that getting into the belly of the beast will be challenging if I have to go there. It sounds like I picked a good machine to train myself on.

The part scaring me at the moment is the little cross piece that holds the drum in place as part of pulling out the process unit. It sounds like you use the tool only to remove the screw holding the drum in place so that it does not turn while you try to remove the screw. It's a bit ambiguous about what happens next. When I pull the unit will the drum remain behind? I assume so otherwise why would I remove that screw. Given that I've done that found my bit of dirt or whatever and want to put it back together, apparently I have to hope that the drum is still in the position it was in when I put tool back in place to reinstall the screw. Seems a bit chancy. I'd rather just pull the toner cartridge and have a peek first.

M8...you've all the help and advice you'll be getting outta me.
Two TRAINED TECHNICIANS have advised you NOT to mess with the machine but still you persist.
So you bought yourself a copier...good for you.
So you like to tinker and mess with shit...again...good for you.
You want to save money and not have to pay a tech to do what you clearly belive you can do...fine...no problem.
BUT DO NOT come here asking people who do this FOR A LIVING to help you mess with the machine.
And for the record...the thing you're messing with now is called the drum stop tool...used to lock the drum in place.
Hell...do you even know that the drum can only be rotated in one direction or you'll damage it?

I have to hope that the drum is still in the position it was in when I put tool back in place to reinstall the screw

The drum is SUPPOSED to be repositioned on a regular basis...it's called a drum phase adjustment.
This is not about techs vs machine owners or any "superiority issues"...it's about end users making a mess doing things that they have no training to do and then expecting techs to bail them out...and 99% of the time whining about the cost of the service call after they've crippled their machine.

[BobComeau]

Oze, I'm not sure what I said to change your mind. I was looking forward to your advice on the service mode setting to enable the button to rotate the turret.

I'm not sure what "M8..." reference at the beginning of your response means, excuse my ignorance if you can, maybe it's shoptalk for moron or something similar. I don't use text messaging.

I may not be a trained technician, but I've been doing diagnostics and nontrivial repairs of various office machines for nearly 30 years, as one of my hats at work, and I haven't killed anything, yet.

For the record neither of the two trained techs who responded said "not to mess with it". They did advise it would be challenging and one suggested a manual, which I have.

I never said I would not pay a trained technician if I feel something is beyond my capabilities and have done so in the past many times. I just don't like to waste their valuable time, and my money, with minor repairs and adjustments I can easily do myself.

Saving money is definitely part of what I'm trying to do, this is a small home business we are trying to get started and I can admit perhaps I was a bit naive about the amount of maintenance this machine is going to need. We saw what appeared to be an excellent deal on a machine much more capable than what we've been using and went for it. But we have it now and will go from here.

I saw the proper name for the drum stop in the manual, sorry I didn't use the proper term in my message. I did see a couple of manual notes near by where previous technicians must have noted the phase adjustment you mentioned. Thanks for explaining the meaning of those notes, I did not get the service log with the machine. I spoke to one of the local service reps about a different issue I had who mentioned this would have been most helpful.

My normal job involves diagnosing and fixing problems created by others on a daily basis, so I understand your sentiment. If I do cripple my machine you can rest assured I will not be whining about it here.

If you located the information on the service mode function to enable the button to rotate the turret, I would still appreciate you passing that on. If you prefer not to, I can accept that as well.

If I've offended anyone else, let me just say it was not intentional. I have the utmost respect for you all and value your opinions greatly.

Bob

[Oze]

Caught me on a bad night after a loooooong day.
I guess there are end users and then there are end users
I accept that I may have misdirected my anger against meddling machine owners who think that the copier that they've bought can be treated the same as the latest DVD player they just bought for their boardroom.
In other words "I bought and I'll do what I want to it"...but granted you don't seem to fall into that category.
The term 'M8' is an abbreviation for "mate" due to the fact that where I come from we speak English NOT Americanlish j/k
Seriously though I do apologize for coming on a bit strong but i have had my share of abuse from end users on these forums expecting more than a bit of free advice...THOSE types won't be getting a blow by blow description on how to carry out service work but I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the iRC6800 by way of apology

[BobComeau]

No problem Oze, everyone is entitled to vent after bad days now and then. I actually figured out the M8 later after noticing your Australian flag. I will try not to become a nuisance, but I get the feeling my relationship with this machine is just getting started.

I guess I'm still looking for answers to my original question -- How to enable the button to rotate the turret. If you suspect the line I'm seeing would be from something else I'm open to suggestions on where to look.

The line occurs in the type 10 print test, and only in the cyan bars. It is about 1/8" (3mm) wide in total but not solid. It is fairly white in the middle and fades out evenly on either side. It is in the same place on each bar, and every time I try the test. On normal prints it just appears as a thin lighter band depending what colours are in the image. I thought initially of some dirt on a wire, but cleaning them with the menu options did not help any.

When the unit was shipped to me everything was still inside which is partly why I'm suspecting some debris sitting somewhere it shouldn't be, close by something specific to the cyan.

I have a new spare set of upper and lower rollers which someone else suggested may be suspect, but since the current problem is only with one colour I don't see how that could be the problem.

[Oze]

My guess would be a bit of hardened toner sitting up against the dev blade.
The process unit is reasonably easy to pull forward.
The only dev unit that needs to be removed from the machine is the Black dev....the turret can be rotated to inspect the other three devs...BE CAREFUL OF THE DRUM AS IT'S EXPOSED WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON THE DEVS.!!
Take a blade and carve a score line along the top of the dev blade...this will help you return it to the correct hight once the job is done.
Loosen the screws for the dev blade and push it away from the dev cylinder slightly.
Turn the dev gear and watch for any crap that may come out from under the dev blade...gently remove it with a clean cloth.
It's pretty common for 6800's to have some hard toner build up inside the dev unit...I'll post up that service mode adjustment to add the turret rotation button to additional functions tomorrow.

[BobComeau]

Thanks for the advice, it's getting late this evening to give it a go but I'll tackle it by the end of the weekend for sure.

[BobComeau]

Well, I got thru it without killing the machine. The area causing the line was visible on the roller in the cyan dev as soon as it was exposed. I had to remove the blade to clear the problem and after reinstallling it the layer of toner on the roller was nice and even. The line was gone from the test print.

But, unfortunately I'm going to get some practice at this operation as apparently I positioned the blade too close to the roller and cyan is now exceedingly light. I made the mark as suggested but must have left too much of it visible. Should go quicker the next time.

Thanks again for the advice. If I need further help I'll start a new thread.