MP301 - dud model?

[Polarbear]

I have come across a growing number of MP301 machines that are exhibiting all kinds of faults (even from new!)

One of these faults is SC204 - Ricoh says that it is poor pcu to machine contact.... I have yet to see this! We have one particular machine where we have replaced the palygon, did the pcu bend and clean, replaced the Bicu and STILL IT COMES BACK!! ARGGGHH!!

Firmware does not seem to fix any of these issues to date....

Also these seem to jam for no reason!?? One of our branches have made a mod where they fit the previous series stripper holders... these seem to have limited remedy value, as I have not seen a 100% improvement to date.

Does anyone have any help to offer on these 2 issues??

It would be greatly appreciated!

[Oze]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

They ARE board hungry it seems.
I've replaced a number of controllers so far over that past few months.

[Athlontini]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

When these were just coming out, I saw a few of them jamming a lot at the registration sensor - the sensor flag would get stuck. For awhile I was sanding down the ends of the flag piece (where it snaps into the frame of the machine) for some smoother action. As far as boards go, I guess I've been lucky.

[Polarbear]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Thanks chaps!

[roman2304]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Thanks chaps!

Hi everyone!!

Been having the same problem with almost all of my RICOH MP-301, lots of jamming in the fusing unit, do you think the registration feelr can be doing causing this problem??

[Polarbear]

I would not put anything padt these dungpiles! We have experimented with different stripper pawls out of desperation, with limited success. Even had one with a faulty duplex guide sensor, from new! Bring back the mp201!!!

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk

[Athlontini]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

I've tried the MP201 stripper pawls - they only made things worse.

[roman2304]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Excuse me, i have several MP-301 and two of them are having a strange jam in the RDF but only in 2-sided mode and with more than one original on it. When you put 2 or more originals, the second original gets jammed right after the first originas got feed to the RDF, but only in 2-sided mode.
Any ideas?? I think that maybe with some firmware update the problem can be solved, but here in Mexico the latest firmware update is for MP-201.
Thanks!!

[L-IQ-uid toner]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Roman it is BICU board

[Marieke Grey]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Hi Roman

Had the same problem today and it was the DF feed solenoid plate that was bent so it was not stopping the Df feed roller clutch.

[Slakkie4x2]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Hi,

I have the same problem as Roman. The thing with the machine i have is I took another MP301 that was working and started testing with that machine. After I replaced everything with the machine that was working that machine to was having that same problem. so, from having only the one machine that was doing that I now have 2 machines doing it?

Any suggestions?

[Klydon]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

These are junk. I have been replacing drum units like crazy and have started putting in the older 171-201 drums due to broken parts on the 301 drums. I have been having them fail consistently in the 20k range and have had one fail as early as 10k. Basically, you get a service call that the machine is screaming for toner. You get a call like that, just bring in a drum and save yourself a trip back out.

As far as the jamming on the side goes, I have had some issues, but have noticed this machine has a tendency to say the side door is shut when in fact it isn't shut all the way. I have been instructing my customers to make sure the release lever is flush with the side of the cover to ensure it is shut and after having that conversation with them, I have not had nearly the jam issues, but then I could be lucky in that regard too.

[Klydon]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Just bumping this with a minor update and to ask a few questions of others.

First, I have been going through a pile of drums. 20-30K is what I have been getting (should be 45K) before they fail physically. Usual pattern is the machine is asking for toner and customer reports the machine was noisy. I have been using more and more of the 171 type drum as a replacement.

I have also been going through hot rollers and thermistors like crazy. Thermistor causes a scrape/wear mark in the middle of the hot roller and the customer complains about a line down the page. These have been going 20-30K as well on a part that is supposed to go 90K.

I have one machine that is at 105K and it is on its 3rd drum/hot roller/thermistor. The second drum I put in it was a 301 drum unit, but I put in a 171/201 drum this time.

Basically does anyone have any tricks they have been using with success to extend the life of these parts to something even close to what they are supposed to get?

Thanks.

[slimslob]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

First, I have been going through a pile of drums. 20-30K is what I have been getting (should be 45K) before they fail physically. Usual pattern is the machine is asking for toner and customer reports the machine was noisy. I have been using more and more of the 171 type drum as a replacement.

This is a frequent problem with this model and all of its predecessors. In low volume usage, developer tends to pile up at the rear end of the transport roller that is covered by the top of the development unit. This creates excess load and causes the gears to strip. There are a few places on the internet where you can order sets of gears, but they usually have rather large minimum quantities.

[Klydon]

Re: MP301 - dud model?

Hmm.. These are getting pretty good volume (3K+ a month is typical). My experience has been a bit different in that it seems to be my busy machines that have the drums go belly up.