MP C3504 drum question

[copyman]

I don't work on many Ricoh's and had a question. The customer sent me a sample and it's showing black lines. I was going to order a black drum unit but they are very expensive. I see rebuild kits but confused because there are two to chose from "old style" & "new style" drums only & rebuild kits. How can you tell what drum it is, new or old style? How hard is it to rebuild the drum unit?

Thanks in advance

[slimslob]

First thing is make sure it is the drum unit. If it only occurs when copying but not when printing it is most likely optics. Now if it is from the drum unit, it most likely is a dirty charge roller.

Now on the 03s the difference between the original PCU and the newer PCUs was how the bottom cover holding the charge roller was mounted.If it has screws,it is newer style.

[Popolopo]

if not mistaken, there 2 type drum. one without steel shaft, another one with steel shaft in the middle. im guessing that was the old/new version

[anothertech]

It could be the fuser or the ITB cleaning unit or the slit glass or mirror in the optics. If it is the drum, you could try replacing just the charge roller assy. part number D0BQ2071 ,that may get you by for another 100,000 clicks.

[Larhal]

if not mistaken, there 2 type drum. one without steel shaft, another one with steel shaft in the middle. im guessing that was the old/new version

You are correct. Old style like the MPC03 series. New style, 04 series, drum shaft built in. all the rest of the parts, Drum cleaning Blade, wax bar, wax bar foam roller, wax bar cleaning blade, PCR and foam roller the same.

[copyman]

Thanks for the replies. I will go there and pull the black drum to see if it has the steel shaft. And see what other parts are needed.

[sandmanmac]

Probably just the PCR causing the streaks.
I've been removing those units from the PCU and scrubbing them on ALL colour Ricohs for ages.
I scrub that greenish surface off right down to the plain nylon roller with a scotchbrite pad and any cleaning solvent, replace the foam cleaning roller and they're good to go.
I usually keep a couple of scrubbed units in my car stock that I can just pop in on site, since it's a bit o a sloppy job

[copyman]

Probably just the PCR causing the streaks.
I've been removing those units from the PCU and scrubbing them on ALL colour Ricohs for ages.
I scrub that greenish surface off right down to the plain nylon roller with a scotchbrite pad and any cleaning solvent, replace the foam cleaning roller and they're good to go.
I usually keep a couple of scrubbed units in my car stock that I can just pop in on site, since it's a bit o a sloppy job

Great tech tips! This is what tech forums are all about! Thanks!

[luca72]

I don't work on many Ricoh's and had a question. The customer sent me a sample and it's showing black lines. I was going to order a black drum unit but they are very expensive. I see rebuild kits but confused because there are two to chose from "old style" & "new style" drums only & rebuild kits. How can you tell what drum it is, new or old style? How hard is it to rebuild the drum unit?

Thanks in advance

in addition to what others have said, I would like to add.
you can try to clean everything and it's fine, it can work up to 60% of the pcdu's life, beyond that it's not worth it (they would call you every 2 weeks)
I suggest you pay attention to the charging unit, it can be a good idea to replace it with a new one (in my opinion it doesn't last as long as the pcdu) and take a look at the RTB below.

[luca72]

I don't work on many Ricoh's and had a question. The customer sent me a sample and it's showing black lines. I was going to order a black drum unit but they are very expensive. I see rebuild kits but confused because there are two to chose from "old style" & "new style" drums only & rebuild kits. How can you tell what drum it is, new or old style? How hard is it to rebuild the drum unit?

Thanks in advance

in addition to what others have said, I would like to add.
you can try to clean everything and it's fine, it can work up to 60% of the pcdu's life, beyond that it's not worth it (they would call you every 2 weeks)
I suggest you pay attention to the charging unit, it can be a good idea to replace it with a new one (in my opinion it doesn't last as long as the pcdu) and take a look at the RTB below.

[copyman]

I've decided to replace the complete pcdu. Is there anything I need to reset after replacing? I saw something in service manual about changing a setting for pcdu to do auto adj with new unit?
Thanks again for the help.

[slimslob]

I've decided to replace the complete pcdu. Is there anything I need to reset after replacing? I saw something in service manual about changing a setting for pcdu to do auto adj with new unit?
Thanks again for the help.

SP 3905-001 for the Black PCU.
002 for Cyan
003 for magenta
004 for yellow
It is in the Service Manual

[copyman]

SP 3905-001 for the Black PCU.
002 for Cyan
003 for magenta
004 for yellow
It is in the Service Manual

The service manual shows to set the SP SP3-701-002,003 for black "New unit detection", is this right?

Also it doesn't show how to enter SP mode in service manual? Back in the old days it was something like "reset" "107" "clear"?

Thanks again

[slimslob]

The service manual shows to set the SP SP3-701-002,003 for black "New unit detection", is this right?

Okay I misread the manual. 3905 is for indicating whether you are putting in a "new" or rebuilt unit.

Also it doesn't show how to enter SP mode in service manual? Back in the old days it was something like "reset" "107" "clear"?

Thanks again

Many years ago far too many untrained people knew that sequence which resulted in problems from misuse. As a result Ricoh changed it but did not put the new code in the service manual, you had to get it from your service manager or tech support. They also added the ability to change the new 6 digit code so that is why I put service manager first.

[copyman]

Okay I misread the manual. 3905 is for indicating whether you are putting in a "new" or rebuilt unit.


Many years ago far too many untrained people knew that sequence which resulted in problems from misuse. As a result Ricoh changed it but did not put the new code in the service manual, you had to get it from your service manager or tech support. They also added the ability to change the new 6 digit code so that is why I put service manager first.

All good. Glad I didn't rely on your info and found correct SP code in service mode. Also a tech from this forum PM'd me the code to enter SP mode so should be all set.

Thanks again to all who replied.