2852 Series False Add Toner

[rthonpm]

In the last six months I've had a pile of these with fairly low volumes (150,000 or fewer clicks) all start giving me add toner prompts which could only be resolved by replacing the toner hopper.

Pulling the old ones apart and cleaning them out, the mylars were in good shape, the toner path looks clear, and the spring trigger at exit to the PCU is smooth. Is there something flaky in the design for this one, or does anyone have a regular time frame for replacing them as these models are a little old now.



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[copyaction]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

In the last six months I've had a pile of these with fairly low volumes (150,000 or fewer clicks) all start giving me add toner prompts which could only be resolved by replacing the toner hopper.

Pulling the old ones apart and cleaning them out, the mylars were in good shape, the toner path looks clear, and the spring trigger at exit to the PCU is smooth. Is there something flaky in the design for this one, or does anyone have a regular time frame for replacing them as these models are a little old now.



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I have had the same experience and replacing the toner tray resolved it.
The mp2550 toner tray also works in this model and I have used it on mine.
Of course you want to already be sure the drum and developer are in good shape and they are using genuine Ricoh toner as well.

[Klydon]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

One thing to check is to see if the PCDU is full of toner from the toner hopper. (IE, pull it out, open the shutter and if you see toner piled up, that is an issue). It doesn't happen a lot, but when the PCDU is close to failure, toner will pile up because there are issues with the PCDU and the machine thinks it needs more toner and so keeps adding it.

I am surprised the mylars are not off as that does happen as well and the hopper is unable to push toner to the PCDU. One other thing to check is to make sure the hopper is pulling the cap out of the toner bottle.

I have not had to replace a lot of toner hoppers and the most common reason is because the customer broke the green lever when the metal pin gets out of alignment.

[slimslob]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

The biggest problem I have encountered with these toner trays all the way back to the Aficio 220/270 has been the inner cap of the old bottle sticking in the toner chuck.

[Gab]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

Is toner motor ok (does machine turns toner bottle)?
the hole at toner hopper that drops toner to drum unit is ok?
At drum unit does coaxial axis rotate ?

[FrohnB]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

Most common causes;
- Toner hopper packed - disassemble and clean out (rarely have to replace).
- PCDU backed up (either from excessive toner adding, or developer gears stripped) - replace PCDU.
- Faulty TD sensor - Replace PCDU.

[rthonpm]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

More fun for this: I've had two reports on hoppers failing in the last three days. All of the machines are using genuine toner and parts: I've been banging around Ricoh equipment for close to fifteen years so I've seen just how much of an issue third-party parts can be. I'm going to take the easy route and replace both of the hoppers, and then do an 'autopsy' on the two to see just what may have caused them to fail.

I can remember getting false add toner prompts quite a bit on some of the older models in this series (5622/5627, AF 2022/2027) but until this recent rash it had always been something simple like a missing Viking hat in the toner bottle, or an extra one in the hopper, or even the little plastic piece that opens the shutter on the PCU for toner feeding broken off.

[slimslob]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

Most common causes;
- Toner hopper packed - disassemble and clean out (rarely have to replace).
- PCDU backed up (either from excessive toner adding, or developer gears stripped) - replace PCDU.
- Faulty TD sensor - Replace PCDU.

What i have seen happen with this style PCU is the hole through which developer passes from the mixing auger to the development roller supply auger becomes clogged and the developer stacks up at the back of the mixing auger. This binds the auger and normally causes the gears to strip. What I have seen with the xx52 and xx53 models is it can actually cause a main motor lock and even strip out one of the nylon gears in the gear box that the motor drives.

[Notrons]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

I have had the mechanism, inside the toner hopper that grabs the toner bottle plug, fail. It would either not open fully or just not grab at all. Most of the time, I just replace the hopper. Cleaning it only made it last a few more weeks before it happened again.

[slimslob]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

I have had the mechanism, inside the toner hopper that grabs the toner bottle plug, fail. It would either not open fully or just not grab at all. Most of the time, I just replace the hopper. Cleaning it only made it last a few more weeks before it happened again.

To properly clean them you have to disassemble them or at least remove the entire toner chuck. All toner build up on t he shaft of the chuck needs to be wiped off and where it slides through.

[StephenB]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

just gonna throw this out there as well...make sure the machine is level. Toner / DV will pile up "downhill" and ruin PCU's

[tonerhead]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

As was mentioned by several, the chuck that actually grabs the nipple on the bottle does not go in far enough because of binding. You can easily check this by pulling out the hopper, putting a bottle of toner in it and dropping the green handle outside of the machine. If it doesn't pull the nipple out the remedy is to either replace the hopper or remove the chuck, clean and lube it so it opens/closes smoothly. I normally do this the first time, if it comes back right away then change the hopper. For me it has been better than 50% success the first time. A customer out in the sticks though, not worth the trip back just do it right the first time with replacement.

[slimslob]

Re: 2852 Series False Add Toner

One other check that I do before putting the bottle back in the machine is to drop the green handle and check that the pin in the end of the chuck follows the cams on the green handle all the way in. If there is any gap, it means the jaws of the chuck are not opening fully and it will need to be replaced.