[Misc] Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

[mrwho]

We recently sold some MP201SPF machines and we are now getting a lot of those with error SC500 related to the drum unit not rotating properly at around 5k copies/prints, give or take 1k.

I've tried to recover one of those IUs without success - the machine worked fine for a short while and then back to the same.

Anyone here has any clue on what causes this to happen so often?

[Ollie1981]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

I've had quite a few of these crap out with generic toner, SC500 is generally the dev unit seizing up to the point where it locks the main motor.

[mrwho]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

Well, we're using OEM toner so that's not the cause, at least on these cases. Thanks for the heads-up, though.

[Ollie1981]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

The PCU on these is pretty much a downsized version of the unit from the 1018/1027 type machines and I now carry a complete lower development unit (the part with the augers, but it comes minus the TD sensor) and all of the related gears (the white and black gears from the mag roller) for the 2018 machines and for the latest Russian machines with the technician servicable PCU (MP2510 etc)

It seems to be caused either by the development unit becoming too tight to turn for the plastic gears (possibly explaining the generic toner as it may have a denser consistency than the OEM) and/or a spill of developer into the gears themselves. Stripping down the lower dev unit on the 2018 type machines when I've had motor lock error codes I usually find the auger bearings seized.

I've never really bothered stripping down the type 1515 PCU before except for cleaning charge rollers, but I assume they're relatively similar to the type 1027 PCU.

Thing is though, there's really nothing else it could be besides something in the units themselves, there's literally nothing else in the machine besides the toner hopper, drum drive, laser unit and fuser. I take it the CQ was ok before they crapped out? Apart from some weird chronic overtoning/dev bias issue I don't know.

[zed255]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

I have to wonder though, we never experienced any issues when the units were operating at lower CPM. As Ricoh jacks up the speed I think that the drum units need some re-engineering. Let's see, no issues at 13-16 CPM, a handful at 17 CPM and yet more at 21 CPM. Any thoughts on co-incidence?

[iambeetle84]

I agree with Zed... we never has those issues before machs were upgraded and now it seems once a week we're getting calls for sc500

[RebelPhoenix]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

Maybe you must developer weight down. I think this trouble source is more developer weight. I buy a new drum unit after I reduce the developer weight in developer case. I put the 200gr. developer in developer case. (You can use Type21). So I made drum unit gears. When I see this trouble. I replace the drum unit gears. After replace the developer 200gr. So I think. This trouble real source is compatible toner.

[smac103]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

same problem here, i agree with zed255 as to cause. as to solution, ricoh ,as usual,will admit to it as soon as they have a solution.

[Zeldaman]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

same problem here, i agree with zed255 as to cause. as to solution, ricoh ,as usual,will admit to it as soon as they have a solution.

[Robinh]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

I checked some of my failed PCU's and they fall in these lot ranges. Were you able to get these replaced by Ricoh? Have you been able to resolve the problem? I thought perhaps the gears were weaker, but if developer is spilling into the gears, they are probably going to fail no matter how tough they are. I'd sure appreciate an update to this thread.

I stopped using aftermarket toner when I started having this problem, but the PCU's are still not going 45k even with OEM toner. Any ideas on how to keep the PCU's from over filling and spilling toner into the gears?

Thanks!

Robin

[TechSupport]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

Does any one know if Ricoh or Lanier did a bulletin on this? Did they own up to the issue on paper?
Thanks.

[Robinh]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

Does any one know if Ricoh or Lanier did a bulletin on this? Did they own up to the issue on paper?
Thanks.

Not to my knowledge, but the lot number ranges listed in a previous post concur with the failed PCU's that I have.

[teebee1234]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

I checked pretty thoroughly but didn't come across anything except the same complaints can be found on the official Ricoh Tech forum site. So I would have to believe that they are aware of the issue, but not acknowledging anything yet. I noticed all of the responses to the complaints came from other posters but nothing from the engineers that normally respond. Maybe a gag order in place

[Robinh]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

I've been beating my brains out trying to solve this problem. Let's see if everyone agrees with me on the symptoms.

Machine will get noisy and eventually throw an SC500 when the dev unit locks up stopping the main drive motor.
I almost always find a large pile of toner under the PCU.
The lower developer unit agitating gears are full of developer and stripped out.
OEM toner seems to work better than aftermarket, but the drum still won't go the rated 45k even with OEM toner, when they used to go 80k with aftermarket toner.
Often I'll notice dark bands across the copy on the lead edge of the back side.

The other day I noticed when I ran the copier with the front door open I could watch the front bushing on the Transfer roller. It looked to me like maybe the transfer roller bushing was popping partially out of the guide which holds it in place. I'd just replaced the drum on this machine and it's already starting to get the banding on the back side again.

I love these little machines, but this problem is costing me a fortune in PCU's.

Robin

[Ricoh HK]

Re: Drum Type 1515 (MP171SPF, MP201SPF, etc) dying early

It also have a toner leakage problem from toner hopper and difficult to take out the paper jam from the fusing. So Poor.....