MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

[rthonpm]

I've got a 2852 that makes a loud noise somewhere between buzzing and grinding every time the main motor runs. Here's the breakdown:

The developer gears in the PCU were packed with the stuff and shredded to the point where they wouldn't turn at all. My first thought was that this took the motor out with it, so after installing a new PCU I swapped motors with a known good machine, and the motor from the noisy machine works perfectly, while the good motor still generates a lot of noise. I've pulled out the drum drive pack and all of the gears look good: no cracks or chipped teeth. The shafts are a little dirty, but nothing that looks like it would cause issues.

I'm hoping that just ordering a new drum drive section will fix the issue, especially since trying to run a test print with the machine in its current condition just gives me a very faint image, as if there's no toner mixing with the developer.
Before I start going down the rabbit hole of drive related parts, I figured I'd see if anyone else has had a similar issue, or if I'm even on the right path.

[slimslob]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Look closely at the large nylon gears that the motor shaft contacts for slightly worn spots caused by the development unit binding and preventing the gear from turning but the motor still spins against it. I have had to replace a couple of the gear boxes.

[StephenB]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

You may have a couple "things" going on. Pull the fuser, and inspect the drive assembly (inside machine ) which passes drive from the main motor.
I had some low volume machines strip these out.

[COPIERMAN]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

go into service mode and turn main motor on in 5-804 output check. then open right side door push on interlock switch and listen for noise. If no noise then fuser area. can push metal plate on fuser to in gage if noise start then in that area . If no noise from fuser then pull pcu out close door and run it again if nosie gone then pcu area.

[BEBEDELFUTURO]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Changes the developing gears.

[Mark Bbb]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

My bet is on the pcu...

[slimslob]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

My bet is on the pcu...

If you read the entire first post you would know it has already been replaced.

[Mark Bbb]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

If you read the entire first post you would know it has already been replaced.

Slimslob: I don't see where in his tread he mentioned something about the F.U. ???

[slimslob]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Slimslob: I don't see where in his tread he mentioned something about the F.U. ???

Middle of second sentence of second paragraph "so after installing a new PCU I swapped motors with a known good machine".

[Mark Bbb]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Middle of second sentence of second paragraph "so after installing a new PCU I swapped motors with a known good machine".

Sorry, I meant Fusing unit, but I doubt it; that would be to easy...

[rthonpm]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Being the good member I am, here's update number one: I took the drum drive unit with me back to the shop and the black gear that comes in contact with the motor has an indentation where the threads are stripped in the exact size of the metal gear shaft of the main motor. It was hard to see in the customer's office, but under a much cleaner, and brighter, light it was pretty obvious. I've ordered a new drum drive unit and should have it tomorrow, if not tonight (great living close to distribution hubs for UPS and FedEx).

I did examine the fuser on my initial visit and the gears on the machine and on the unit were both perfect. I've fought the fuser noise issue before on an MP 2550 so I was able to rule that out pretty quickly. With the rear panels off the machine the source of the noise was painfully obvious.

Once the replacement is in, I'll give a final update.

[slimslob]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Being the good member I am, here's update number one: I took the drum drive unit with me back to the shop and the black gear that comes in contact with the motor has an indentation where the threads are stripped in the exact size of the metal gear shaft of the main motor. It was hard to see in the customer's office, but under a much cleaner, and brighter, light it was pretty obvious.

I have had to replace 2 of them that got stripped that way by a frozen development unit.

[Coptech]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

AB010401...someone found the drive breakdown in another catalog and that is the part number for the bad gear if you want to save the old drive unit for the next one that locks up.

[rthonpm]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Drum drive unit was put in this morning, and the machine started up just as quiet as before. To try and keep this from happening, I've considered turning on the PM alarms for the PCU, but while looking through the manual I found SP 5-067, the Parts PM System Setting, which can be set for Service or customer PCU replacement. Is there any other information on just what this SP allows for? I'm thinking this is something like the customer replaceable developer and drum units that were at one time available for some of the high PPM models for places like print shops and the like, or just a renamed automatic PCU detection.

Did Ricoh publish any information to dealers or direct staff for this SP? I don't see a similar SP in the 2550 or 2551 models, or in the Product Support Guide for the 2852 so it must be something added to later models.

[slimslob]

Re: MP 2852 buzzing/grinding noise

Drum drive unit was put in this morning, and the machine started up just as quiet as before. To try and keep this from happening, I've considered turning on the PM alarms for the PCU, but while looking through the manual I found SP 5-067, the Parts PM System Setting, which can be set for Service or customer PCU replacement. Is there any other information on just what this SP allows for? I'm thinking this is something like the customer replaceable developer and drum units that were at one time available for some of the high PPM models for places like print shops and the like, or just a renamed automatic PCU detection.

Did Ricoh publish any information to dealers or direct staff for this SP? I don't see a similar SP in the 2550 or 2551 models, or in the Product Support Guide for the 2852 so it must be something added to later models.