Gestetner 3222 paper misfeed problem

[mikemilw]

Hello,

I have acquired a Gestetner 3222 copier from a friend. This copier has two problems:

1. The display is reporting that the PCU (photoconductor unit) be replaced. It sill will attempt to make copies however. I think I have seen compatible drum/photoconduct

2. This is the more perplexing one: I am getting a paper misfeed. The console/panel is reporting area B as the culprit. I have checked this area to try to clear the jam. I do not see any paper or foreign objects in the paper path.


What can I do to get the paper misfeed error to clear?
Does anyone have a service manual for this unit? I have the users manual but it does not get too technical.

Thanks
Mike

[bonnie750]

It's not picking up paper.

try feeding from the bypass, if that fails get a tech to sort it.

[mikemilw]

I only tried 3 or 4 sheets in the tray. I will try a larger stack. The problem is that the whole unit needs to be cleaned (badly) and I hesitate to use a large amount of paper on it.

I will try the bypass tray. That is located on the right side of the copier, right?

[bonnie750]

yes it is. It is common on these machines that the main tension spring for paper lift fails. so by trying the bypass it will prove functionality for the registration etc.

With or without paper in a tray the lift plate should rise, and when the drawer opened it should make some sound as it falls

Take out tray 1 and try feeding from tray 2. you can observe paper lift and take up.

this will prove paper lift/feed from tray2

[JustManuals]

This Parts & Service manual can now be purchased for $11.77 and downloaded immediately after payment from:
Copiers-Printers-Fax - Ricoh Aficio 220-270 [A265-267] Parts & Service JustManuals
This is the same machine as the Ricoh Aficio 220, 270


Paul@justmanuals.com

[Ollie1981]

If the machine is asking for a new PCU then you either need to obtain a Type 320 PCU. Not and I REPEAT NOT a Type 1027 PCU, they are mechanically compatable and will physically fit into your machine but contain different developer for the toner used by the newer machines in this family. After 20-30 copies will start to overtone/undertone.

You cannot strip and change the drum and cleaning station items and developer yourself unless you know what you are doing. Even then these PCUs are on the fragile side so even if you do know what you are doing there's a good chance of screwing it up.

Your paper feed problem, first off try feeding through all available trays to see if the fault is from one particular tray or all trays.

If it's from one particular tray:-

Check/Clean/Replace feed roller and cassette friction pad, I've had one or two of these machines do non-feed jams due to the feed roller being coated in paper dust and slipping on the paper. If the tread marks are worn down on the feed roller itself then it may need replacing.

Check that the tray is fully lifting the paper to contact the feed roller, a broken tray lift spring usually results in SC501/Problems with Tray 1 displayed on the copier screen. Sometimes when the spring is broken the gears inside the tray lift motor assembly get a couple of teeth stripped off and this results in a banging noise from the rear of the machine.

Also, and I've only had this problem on machines of this vintage. The actual white plastic coupling that contacts the gear on the back of the cassette splits. This means the tray lifts and usually works fine with a few sheets in the cassette, but constantly non-feed jams with more than a half full cassette. The white coupling isn't available as a seperate part so it's either nick one from a junker or order the full tray lift assy.

Finally, with older machines, It's not uncommon to find the clutches intermittantly or permanently bind. Try flushing out with solvent or replacing.

[Ollie1981]

Oh I almost forgot. Before trying anything technical for jam resolution.

Remove the cassettes completely out of the machine by pulling it out to it's maximum extent, lift slightly and pull it towards you gently again until it comes out of it's runner. Look inside the paper tray cavity and check that there's no paper behind the tray, check that there's no paper remnants in the feed stations.

Check the paper size dial on the front right hand side of the cassette corresponds with the size and orientation of paper you are loading it with. Make sure the fences at the front, back and left hand side of the paper are butted up to it.

Sounds obvious maybe.........but if I had a pound for every time the tray dials in particular had caught a customer out, I'd never have to fix another copier again.

[mikemilw]

I am continuing to have problems with the paper misfeeding on the B section. I made sure the trays have the right type of paper, in the correct orientation.

I am a little confused on the bypass tray operation. Is that on the right side of the unit? I do not see any paper guides that hold the paper in place. I only see the rollers.

If I cannot get the paper misfeed issue resolved, is this copier even worth fixing?

[Ricoh-ono]

Try stretching the separation pad spring a bit and clean the feed roller. I have found this to help in non-feed jams. Ideally, if you can get a new separation pad, that will likely help your problem.

[nmfaxman]

The most common problem is having the paper set to a different setting than what the dial in front is set at.
The logging data will show a jam 16.
9 out of 10 times this will cause a jam.
Or the other simple fix is to wipe the feed tires with a soft cloth dampened with water.
The best fix is to call a tech to find the simple problem and fix it right the first time.

[Ollie1981]

I am continuing to have problems with the paper misfeeding on the B section. I made sure the trays have the right type of paper, in the correct orientation.

I am a little confused on the bypass tray operation. Is that on the right side of the unit? I do not see any paper guides that hold the paper in place. I only see the rollers.

If I cannot get the paper misfeed issue resolved, is this copier even worth fixing?

The bypass was an optional feature on these machines so yours may not have one, it's usually a fold down tray on the RHS of the machine. If you don't have the option of selecting the bypass on the ops panel, then you don't have the bypass fitted.

But being a older second hand machine, the tray itself may have broken and is now subsequently missing.

Can I clarify a few things though to try and help you as best I can.

*Does the machine constantly flag a jam up every time you try and make a copy?

*If the answer to the previous question is yes, then try all available cassettes (Trays 1 & 2, or if fitted 3 & 4). Do you get exactly the same problem from all available cassettes or is it limited to one feed station in particular.

*When the machine flags a jam at B and you find no paper in the feed path, check the paper in the cassette. Is the first sheet exactly as it was before you tried to make a copy? Is it crumpled as if it's hit something whilst trying to feed? Is there a mark in the middle of the paper where the feed tyre has attempted to feed but slipped on the paper?

If the paper has absolutely not moved since loading the cassette, then the feed roller is not gripping the paper or not turning. In which case it's a matter of either the tray lift mechanism not lifting the tray high enough to contact the roller or the feed clutch binding and not transmitting drive to the feed roller.

If you get a constant jam and find paper at the long black roller just before the PCU then the chances are the registration clutch is binding.

[Scott_Lewis]

I am continuing to have problems with the paper misfeeding on the B section. I made sure the trays have the right type of paper, in the correct orientation.

I am a little confused on the bypass tray operation. Is that on the right side of the unit? I do not see any paper guides that hold the paper in place. I only see the rollers.

If I cannot get the paper misfeed issue resolved, is this copier even worth fixing?

This copier is about 8 years old and guaranteed parts availability from Ricoh ends this month. Is it worth fixing? If it only needs routine service such as rollers and perhaps some clutches, then probably yes. Anything more serious then fixing it might be debatable.

You obviously aren't capable of fixing this yourself as you have yet to answer any question more complicated than 'where is the bypass tray'. I'm not trying to insult you. But, even the simplest instructions on how to troubleshoot this machine seems to be going way way over your head.

For a couple hundred bucks, you could have a fully functioning, jam free, 22 ppm copier. Call a service technician.