Ricoh Aficio 350

[Guest]

I have 3 different problems I need addressed for a Ricoh Aficio 350. A.) I was wondering if there is an adjustment for the paper tray lift motors or if they just have to be replaced. B.) Does anyone know any solutions for why these machines seem to have overtoning problems? C.) Does anyone know of any solutions as to why the developing unit seals tend to prematurely go defective? Any help appreciated, thank you.

[schooltech]

A)The paper tray motors just need to be replaced.

B)The 350 series, versus the enhanced, later versions, had a lot of "issues." Overtoning was one of them, and the best thing you can do is to watch your SMC reports and their values related to ID, TD, etc. Also, when you change the developer, get out every single bit you can, then when setting it up, put a piece of paper or something to block the add toner hole. With such a small capacity, it doesn't take much to throw off the mixture.

C) They are just extremely flimsy.

[E Winter]

You can find tons of modiication bulletins for the NAD series - I'd highly recommend to take a look at these.

I remember that the DV seals has been modified, too. What color is the front cover of the DV unit looks like? black or brown/grey - for the case it's brown/grey I can tell it's one of the earlier versions^^

[FRIDGEMAGNET]

I used to take the paper lift motors apart and often a wire was broken off the motor. Just re-solder the wire.
Had this loads of times.

[schooltech]

Unless the gears break in the lift motors.

I should have asked why they need to be "adjusted?"

[Guest]

Where can I find these modification bulletins for the NAD series? The problem with the lift motor I am having is that when the gets anywhere between half full and almost empty it seems like the paper is raised up to where it should be, that's why I was wondering if there is an adjustment.

[E Winter]

They are available for ricoh technicians and specialist dealers - it's non public like service manuals etc...

Are you shure that this is a problem with the lift motor? Have you tried to switch the assumed broken motor with one from the other trays to see if the problem move along. What's the exact symptome?

[schooltech]

Can you be more specific on the problem? I am trying to visualize what you are describing and am having a bit of difficulty; is the paper lifting or not lifting?

[Lagonda]

The Af350 (Nads A231) is well past its useby date. We got rid of the last of these boat anchors years ago. Ricoh Downunder tell us the copiers are unsupported and parts are getting hard to find.
Are you sure you want to keep this dinosaur alive? it will only come back and bite you!

[jaredfmn]

The overtoning could be a drum ground bearing... well with it being a 350 an all, I would ohm it out an see. Overtoning 99% of the time is that bearing.

[Tonerspill]

I agree with some of the previous comments, the 450 is an old machine that looks like it runs on coal sometimes. New developer helps, so does cleaning the mag roller in the DV unit. If you've got uniform background on copies and you've given it a new drum and DV, check the drum ground bearings, they use conductive grease, which don't ground so well at 900K when they're full of toner.