Hi all. I don't really have any experience with Ricoh machines and i have an aficio 220 with the message "replace photoconductor unit". The client says that it also jams paper in fuser area. I saw some pcu rebuild kits from katun, some of them including developer, other the pcu gears. So i was gonna ask you guys : how can i rebuild the pcu and what parts must be replaced? What should i look after? I would really appreciate any advice regarding this matter. Also, i heard some guys saying that the fuser roller bearings must be replaced. Any thoughts on this one?
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
Not really any different than any other Drum/Dev unit. Replace Drum, Blade, and Developer at a minimum, and You can sometimes get away with cleaning the Charge roller and felt roller, but I have had so much trouble rebuilding these units (because they were never designed to be rebuilt) that I've given up completely and I just replace the entire PCU -simple and reliable. Slide it in and it automatically calibrates and resets the "replace PCU" message".
As for the Fuser -Never replace the Upper roller without also replacing the bearings. And be sure to use a bead of high temperature grease around the shaft before sliding on the bearings. If you decide not to replace the pressure roller, at least replace the cleaning roller. -
Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
The PCU for this model is made to be a consumable item as opposed to a PM item so replace the existing one with a new unit and you're good to go. Fuser rebuild is pretty basic. I'd recommend replacing both the heat tube and pressure roller as this is an old model (parts are officially past Ricoh's retirement date for availability) as well as the bearings and cleaning roller.Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
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Paul@justmanuals.comComment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
I must rebuild it. A new, original one is too expensive. It's about 200 euros here. Just doesn't worth it.Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
By the time you buy the individual parts and spend 2 hours rebuilding it, it may be about the same cost. They can be rebuilt but it is a real big pain in the ass. Time consuming to say the least. There are aftermarket units available however I don't know what type of access you have to US parts.Testing 1-2-3, testing, testing. Is this thing on?Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
I agree. And then if / when it fails, and you're forced to replace it with an OEM unit,now you're out 200 plus the rebuild kit. Been there, done that.
As for aftermarket units, I've had over a 50% premature failure rate on any of the ones I've triedComment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
I agree, we used to use remanufactured PCU's and for the most part they worked, however we used to get ones that were crap but the company we bought them from took them back no questions asked and gave us another one or full credit. Not a bad deal.Testing 1-2-3, testing, testing. Is this thing on?Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
How about the developer? It must be replaced with a new one?Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
This PCU was built and intended to be a consumable supply item, NOT a rebuild unit. With that design concept and the age of the machine in mind, you are only asking for trouble if you try to rebuild this unit.Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT waste your time and money trying to rebuild this.
If it works, you will not get the yield of a new unit.
There is an old saying about jumping over a dollar to pick up a penny.Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
So i took a look today at the pcu. The drum seems fine but it's covered with toner. I believe to be a charging problem. Maybe i won't rebuild this unit but still i must dissasembly it to check the charge roller. Btw, i inspected the fuser also and the pressure roller is worn out.Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
This PCU was not desighned to be rebuilt as it is a supply item.Comment
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Re: Ricoh aficio 220 - replace photoconductor unit
i have rebuilt these units at least 50times with mixxed results..
the katun drums are "soft" and dont hold up like OEM .
but for a avg use customer they worked.
if the unit was never rebuilt and wasnt run with the photoconductor light on for months,
it might be any easy rebuild.
if you open it up and all your gears are destroyed and the mixing shafts are leaking dev then you might not want to
waste time on it..
sometimes it just pulling apart and vacunming it out,cleaning the charge rollers,chge blade and drum and put back together..
i did not always change dev..as i remember it was type 19 dev..
the bigger mistake wth this unit was it was too tight if it ever overtoned..
no where to go but out..there a little activator on the rear housing to trip the reset sensor and calibrate..
as for fuser unit..chge rollers and fingers and dont chnge cl roller..it can be scraped off and whiped clean..its only metal..you MUST clean any toner off the fuser plastic guides..they build up and impede paper intermittent..Comment
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