VoyagerE (KM-C3232E) maintenance: which drums to replace?

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  • scavenger
    • May 2025
    #1

    VoyagerE (KM-C3232E) maintenance: which drums to replace?

    Greetings,

    I just got a used KM-C3232E incredibly cheap off eBay and it even works
    I am not familiar with A3 printers/copiers and I hope you have a hint for an eBay scavenger.

    1. Should I replace ALL (mk825a + mk825b) drums at the same time, even if I only want to replace the black one?
    Why I ask: Black text and graphs appears very bold, incredibly thick, even palpable on paper. Other colors seem fine. This machine has printed some 350.000 pages in total (~100.000 in color) and I don't think the previous owner has ever done maintenance. Having read this forum for a while, I know it's time for replacing the drums.

    2. There is some random toner smearing on the top of the pages, but only on one side of the sheet if I print/copy in duplex mode. Do you know where it could come from? What part or paper path should I clean?

    3. Is the boldness of text (see 1) really related to the drum?


    Thank you in advance,
    Alexander
    Tags: 350, amou, black, copiers, drums, duplex, maintenance, paper, side, time, toner
    • blackcat4866
      Master Of The Obvious

      Site Contributor
      10,000+ Posts
      • Jul 2007
      • 22927
      #2
      1. Should I replace ALL (mk825a + mk825b) drums at the same time, even if I only want to replace the black one?
      Why I ask: Black text and graphs appears very bold, incredibly thick, even palpable on paper. Other colors seem fine. This machine has printed some 350.000 pages in total (~100.000 in color) and I don't think the previous owner has ever done maintenance. Having read this forum for a while, I know it's time for replacing the drums. You should install the whole MK-825A kit, which includes all four drums. The boldness of the text is probably resulting from overtoning of the black developer. If you're curious go to simulation U131, automatic. The column of figures on the left is the reference value, and the column on the right is the actual reading. Any actual reading that varies from the reference by 25 points of more is in need of replacement. You do not need to replace the MK-825B kit (color developing units) unless you have a developing unit that does not pass the previous test or has a quality issue. Do not assume that the developing units will last 300K. They rarely do.

      2. There is some random toner smearing on the top of the pages, but only on one side of the sheet if I print/copy in duplex mode. Do you know where it could come from? What part or paper path should I clean? Usually by the time you get 350K prints there is a significant amount of toner piled on the top of the drum and developer units. Enough toner can collect to begin to make contact with the bottom of the transfer belt, and give you toner smears like you describe. It could also come from the fuser, which will get replaced in the MK-825A Kit. It could also come from one of the primary charge rollers, which will also get replaced in the MK-825A Kit.

      3. Is the boldness of text (see 1) really related to the drum? No, probably developing, and color calibration. Once you've got the machine cleaned up, and the kit installed, do a color calibration and you'll be in good shape.

      =^..^=
      If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
      1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
      2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
      3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
      4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
      5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

      blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

        Comment

        • scavenger
          #3
          Thank you very much :-)

            Comment

            • vikingmita
              Trusted Tech

              100+ Posts
              • Nov 2008
              • 163
              #4
              wasn't there a fw-fix for that 'boldness'?

                Comment

                • blackcat4866
                  Master Of The Obvious

                  Site Contributor
                  10,000+ Posts
                  • Jul 2007
                  • 22927
                  #5
                  Nothing recently. The last firmware was August 2010. =^..^=
                  If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
                  1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
                  2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
                  3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
                  4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
                  5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

                  blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

                    Comment

                    • Metalvoc
                      Trusted Tech

                      100+ Posts
                      • Sep 2008
                      • 155
                      #6
                      Kyocera did add something to sim U473 specifically to adjust for this bold text issue. As long as the firmware is up to date, there should be a "Set Density" option in U473. You can adjust black separately, or all colors. It seems counter-intuitive, but "0" is the darkest, "3" will decrease the toner density. I would definitely go through the maintenance outlined by Blackcat first, though.
                      I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week sometimes to make it up - Mark Twain

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