[CQ] DocuColor 242 - needs some maintenance - what to replace

[steveclv]

I have a DC242 with around 800k copies that has been great for the past 12 months. However I am seeing some degradation of quality and I think it is time to spend a little money on maintenance. My questions are what to replace to improve it.

1. Faint lines on solids and gradients especially Cyan

Solid colors are no longer completely clean and appear to have very faint lines running vertically down the sheet - more obvious on Cyan (graduated skies for example).

2. Large X which looks like a scratch

Most noticeable on coated papers, this looks like a large X that someone has scribbled on the paper but it appears across the whole sheet approx 3 inches but offset and repeating.

3. A black defect about 1/4 in diameter appears on about every 4th sheet (A4) or 2nd or 3rd sheet (A3) always in the same horizontal position but varies vertically on the page - I suspect a mark on the IBT belt but cannot see it visually.

I've swapped drums around with new ones and it hasn't improved any of the symptoms. The toners are all brand new. The fuser is fairly old - I tried another old one but didn't see any differences but I probably do need a new fuser.

Any thoughts on what to spend the money on to improve things?

[adriansto]

Re: DocuColor 242 - needs some maintenance - what to replace

At 800k it's a good ideea to do a deep clean to the machine,to change developer material from every developer unit assy , all machine filters and ibt cleanner module. Assuming the drums modules are new you can check the prin/copy quality and next step for parts change if needed is ibt belt and 2nd BTR roll.

[Jake2o]

Re: DocuColor 242 - needs some maintenance - what to replace

Get into service mode then go to Print Report / BIlling meters > CE > HFSI report
It will print out a 2 page list with a load of numbers on it this is the High Frequency Service Interval items.
Those with current readings higher than the life span reading will want replacing.

From experience >

Developer housings & developer
IBT belt
IBT cleaner
CC Filter
Ozone Filter
Toner Filter
2nd BTR
1st BTR (C,M,Y & K)
Tray Rollers (especially the Tray 5 set of rollers)

[steveclv]

Re: DocuColor 242 - needs some maintenance - what to replace

Thanks

I seem to have the following that need replacement
954-824
954-825
954-826
954-827
954-828
954-829
954-834
954-835
954-836

Everything else seems to be less than 50% used

Sounds expensive LOL

[Jake2o]

Re: DocuColor 242 - needs some maintenance - what to replace

Thanks

I seem to have the following that need replacement
954-824
954-825
954-826
954-827
954-828
954-829
954-834
954-835
954-836

Everything else seems to be less than 50% used

Sounds expensive LOL

824, 825,826 & 827 = 1st BTR rollers one for each colour
828 = IBT Cleaner Assembly
829 = 2nd BTR Assembly
834 = CC Filter
835 = Ozone Filter
836 = Fuser Filter (told to disregard & ignore this one)

1st BTR change if you notice fading especially in tints so an orange looks slightly more magenta or yellow in a certain place
IBT cleaner will leave dirty brown / dark streaks down a page more often down a side rather than all over the page
2nd BTR can cause either marking on the rear of sheets or a fading across the page
Filters will cause different wierd and wonderful IQ issues considering they are cheap in comparison change them every time it wants them.

Changing everything now will mean that the IQ issues listed above you will miss out on .... and that's half the fun

[steveclv]

Re: DocuColor 242 - needs some maintenance - what to replace

Thanks everyone for your help. I have found a set of 1st BTR rollers (new Xerox) which I think are the first things to replace - are there any instructions anywhere on the procedure to follow?

I'm also waiting for an IBT Cleaner Assembly to arrive - again, any instructions on replacing please?

I am trying to track down the 2 ozone filters - wow they are expensive for filters (don't they make a K&N for it hahaha) - what symptoms do you get from an overused ozone filter?

I also replaced a color drum which was one of the chinese manufactured rebuilt drums - made a noticable difference to print quality and it's only done about 5000 copies - I think I will stick with genuine Xerox parts in the future!

Thanks again for your help

Steve