Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

[Elmojo]

Well, the title says most of it.
This video will hopefully explain it better than I could try to describe.
The video quality is intentionally horrible, since I was just trying to capture the sound.
It's not super loud, so you might have to turn up your volume a bit.
Anyone recognize that sound?
Please tell me it's not something expensive.
The machine seems to be running perfectly, it just makes that really annoying noise until it times out and does to sleep.

Speaking of sleep... where the heck is that setting? I recall seeing it during my initial setup, but I can't seem to find the the place to edit the sleep time-out any more. I'd like to shorten it, since I don't print or copy all that often during the day.

Thanks!
-E

[Synthohol]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

Knocking is usually the fuser.
Sleep is in admin mode.
Those series have issues recovering from sleep sometimes.
You can always press the panel power button to put it to sleep after use.
Do you need a service manual? You are a contributor so I don't mind helping you with that.

[Elmojo]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

Thanks Synth!
Now that you mention it, I seem to recall maybe that's why I have the sleep set so long...
I have the SM. You were kind enough to send it to me before, when I was working on it originally.

So with the fuser knocking, is it just one of those "replace it and move on" situations, or is there anything to diagnose or fix there?

[Elmojo]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

...is there anything to diagnose or fix there?

Boy, I sure hope there's a way to repair/rebuild that fusing unit. I just looked it up on eBay and I'm seeing prices around $400.
Does that sound right?
If I do have to replace the whole thing, is there a better source than eBay that isn't quite so pricey?
What's the ramifications of running it like it is? Other than the annoying noise, is it doing damage to the machine?

[allan]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

Boy, I sure hope there's a way to repair/rebuild that fusing unit. I just looked it up on eBay and I'm seeing prices around $400.
Does that sound right?
If I do have to replace the whole thing, is there a better source than eBay that isn't quite so pricey?
What's the ramifications of running it like it is? Other than the annoying noise, is it doing damage to the machine?

Yes you get some real comprehensive and quality rebuild kits out there. Cost less than 1/3 of a new unit.

[Elmojo]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

Yes you get some real comprehensive and quality rebuild kits out there. Cost less than 1/3 of a new unit.

Any suggestions of good ones, or places to look?
I've done a little searching and come up only with either sketchy-looking sites, or parts that I'm not sure have anything to do with my machine.

[copyman]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

I know that noise all to well. This is the definite fix: Replace the small bearings in fuser. The one that will make noise is the belt pressure roller. very easy take side covers off and can replace bearing(s) without removing rollers. The bearing is the small common one. I remove and use the ones in the FS-534, etc fusers. Copylite sells the fuser rollers, belt, & small bearings. If quality is good you can fix that noise in less than 30 mins and 2 bearings. Cost is $6 unless you have the 2 common bearings than cost is $0!

[Synthohol]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

600,000 clicks for 400. is still a whopping good deal.
install a new one and rebuild the old one at your leisure so if something breaks the machine wont be down for a lousy clicking noise.
my .02

[Elmojo]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

I know that noise all to well. This is the definite fix: Replace the small bearings in fuser. The one that will make noise is the belt pressure roller. very easy take side covers off and can replace bearing(s) without removing rollers. The bearing is the small common one. I remove and use the ones in the FS-534, etc fusers. Copylite sells the fuser rollers, belt, & small bearings. If quality is good you can fix that noise in less than 30 mins and 2 bearings. Cost is $6 unless you have the 2 common bearings than cost is $0!

Awesome!
So the 'belt pressure roller' you mention, is that what they call the lower roller on most sites? I could look that up in the SM, but I'm FAR too lazy for all that.
I'm checking Copylite, and I don't see my exact model, but would it be this one maybe?

[Elmojo]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

600,000 clicks for 400. is still a whopping good deal.

That's an excellent point, but it's one reason I was suspicious of the noise, since I only have about 284K images total on this machine.
I guess it could just be age rather than clicks, since the machine is quite a few years old I'm sure.
The fusing unit is reporting 71% life, with a start date of 6/24/2016.
Does any of that sound unusual to anyone, for it to be having issues? I know anything can fail at any time, I'm just thinking about my time as an Oce' tech, where we would view prematurely failing parts as a potential indicator of another part of the system having a hidden problem that hadn't shown up yet. Maybe that thought process doesn't apply here, just mentally spitballing...

[allan]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

Dig into the fuser and check if its as simple as a bearing. Those bearings can be bought from any bearing supplier.
Is its something else that can be found in a kit? Get a kit and replace only the broken bit.

They are not that bad to rebuild. Better than replacing rollers on a KM B250. Take pictures before you strip too far.

[Synthohol]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

there is an oil roller in the fuser that dries out especially being that old.
try removing it (2 c clips) clean the black roller with scotchbrite and maybe it will take some strain away from the moving parts and a few drops of truflo in the bearings should be more than sufficient ive found.

[Elmojo]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

So I don't know jack about the insides of fusing units, but lack of knowledge never stopped me before... lol
I pulled the fuser, and popped off a few of the covers, just enough to get a decent look at the rollers. They looked okay, as best as I can tell (not sure what a 'healthy' roller should look like), but I noticed a little of what I'll call debris on the rollers and falling out of the unit if I turned it over and gently shook. It almost looked like...ash? It was similar in size to very coarse black pepper, but more of a flaky shape, dark gray or black mostly, and sorta 'crunchy' in texture.
I blew it all off with canned air and oiled the bearings as best as I could without tearing apart the assembly too far, since I had no confidence of getting it back in place tonight. Besides, these appear to be sealed bearings, no?
Anyway, I put everything back together, and it's definitely much quieter. I still hear the knocking noise now and then, but it's easy to ignore for now.
I think I'll keep an eye out for a decent rebuild kit and try my hand on that one of these days. If I could identify just the bearings, I'd be happy to try just those, but without an actual part number or bearing spec, I'd have to tear the whole thing apart, and at that point I might as well rebuild the unit if the machine will be down waiting for parts anyway.
If anyone finds a reputable kit for the Bizhub 364e (not C364e, I've made that mistake before), I'd appreciate a link. I'm coming up goose eggs on my searches.
Thanks for the help guys. As always, I'd be totally lost in this machine without your expert guidance!

[REGSIS]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

From what you described, your bearing is fallin apart. That's where the dust comes from. In my cases the front one was allways the problem. That were the fusers between 400-500k so never bother to replace the bearing itselt.
Fresh new unit solved the problem.

Replace the bearing or whole unit before the dust makes damage to ITB or drums.

[copyman]

Re: Bizhub 364e - clicking/knocking noise at idle

there is an oil roller in the fuser that dries out especially being that old.
try removing it (2 c clips) clean the black roller with scotchbrite and maybe it will take some strain away from the moving parts and a few drops of truflo in the bearings should be more than sufficient ive found.

The 364e doesn't use an oil roller. The faster machines, 554/654/754 all use the oil / cleaning roller setup. You are correct when these fusers make noise it is always the oil / cleaning roller bushings. Also by the time these make noise the cleaning or oil roller shafts are also worn along with bearings and need to replace the rollers as well. (aftermarket available)