Ricoh 2232C / 2238C Toner dropping from development unit

[mntech]

Does anybody know why im seeing a bunch of these ricoh's dropping toner from the black development unit onto the paper as it passes? The marks look like toner splotches/drags/splashes. usually always towards the user end.

I'm familiar with theses machines doing the exact same thing when they reach double their life, usually i dont see this happen until the units are around 100-120k, i have 3-4 of these machines that just started doing this a few months back. These machines have brand new black development units, and PCU's, the toner is generic, but we have been using the same toner for years without problems.

I have done new genuine development unit, new drum unit, cleaned ID sensor, new transfer belt, also detailed the transfer belt rollers(that butts up to the ID sensor). Also tried a different toner cartridge in case of a bad batch. After about 1,000 copies, they call me out for spots, and the toner is built up on the lip of the development unit and the vibrations cause the toner to fall. I clean this up and they are good to go for another 1,000.

I know most people are going to say "Use OEM toner, but we've used this 3rd party toner for years without problems".

Thanks,
Any help would be GREAT!!!

[Eric1968]

Yes, I recommend using the original Ricoh toners for best results, but the problem could also be a bad development clutch.

[rthonpm]

Being in Minneapolis, it could be the cold weather. These machines have always been pretty good when the relative humidity gets to 20% and below for giving these kinds of problems. Check out the Troubleshooting Guide in the service manual for information on fireflies.

Using generic toner increases the likelihood that the toner is becoming overcharged. See if the problem goes away after a complete toner refresh via SP Mode.

[cobiray]

I hate to pile on, but I'm with the rest of them on the OEM toner issues. We tried out some 3rd party toners in color machines, but were never completely happy with the consistency of the color output from batch to batch of the toner. We eventually stopped using it all together as the companies wouldn't stand behind their product when there was a problem with the toner. The other thing to check would be the mag bias on the front of the machine. I've never tried it on the color machines, but I think there is an exposed post on the mag roller if you pop open the pcu/dev latch on the front and jig the interlock. With the fact that it's multiple machines, I would have to assume it's the toner, especially if they are not just at a single location.