HP Laserjet 6MP printer repair advice?

[rf065]

I bought a Hewlett Packard Laserjet 6MP printer about 10 years ago.
I've never done anything to it other than replace the toner cartridge and it has not given any problems. Recently though, the paper has jammed a couple of times and it is making a slightly disconcerting rubbing noise when used.

As it is long overdue a service, does anyone know if I can do it myself or does it need an expert?

Russ

 

[MBDevotee]

No such thing as a printer "service" as such....

Mainly it's a case of identifying the problem and replacing or cleaning the part at fault.

It sounds to me like your rollers are just worn, and will have a lot of paper dust on them by now.

Strip off the covers, and blow compressed air (from a can not from an airline) through it all. If you can get to the paper feed rollers (which is not easy on the 6MP) then remove them and give them a good clean - you can wipe them with isopropynol alchohol but be sure to just wipe quickly then wipe again several times with warm mild soapy water then again with warm fresh water otherwise you'll soften the rollers.

Let them dry and re-install.

Test.

Curse,

Throw out of window and buy a new one!!!!

Seriously, it may just be worn out, but take it to your local branch of Cartridge World, Ink Express or Smart Cartridge and get them to take a look if you don't want to do it yourself.

But be aware, we charge about £30-£40 for this service, and it works 90% of the time - but for the 10% where it doesn't they end up buying a new printer anyway, and with a decent small laser printer now available for about £70 you have to seriously ask if it's worth the repair cost if you don't do it yourself.

PM if you want more info.

Cheers

 

[rf065]

Thanks, if I remove the toner cartridge I can see lots of paper dust under it. That's why I assumed some kind of service was required. I was not sure if anything needed lubricated or not though?

It is only used at home & not abused, so I'm hoping a good clean out will solve it, will give it a go anyway.

Russ

 

[kheath74]

After 10 years you can be sure the paper pickup rollers are worn out, thats why it is jamming paper as it cant pickup one sheet at a time. To clean the printer you can blow air through it and use alcohol swabs to clean the inside of the paper path but if the rollers are worn then nothing is going to fix that.

This is a bit like repairing a car, I work in IT so can repair laptops, PCs, Servers without too much effort as I have done it for 10 years, when it comes to changing brake pads then its time for a professional.

Have a go at the printer, as long as you are careful and remember to watch out for springs and where the screws go as you dismantle then have a go at cleaning, if I remember the 6P the casing is in one unit and removes with plastic clips underneath, its a pain but when you get it right the whole unit removes and you can access the chassis.

You can get paper roller parts from HP but it is more efficient now to recycle the old printer and buy a new one if you can.

 

[rf065]

It seems to pick up paper OK, it jams at the rear of the unit where it turns 180 degrees & moves from under the printer to the top, if that makes sense?

Russ

 

[kheath74]

When it jams does the paper fold up as in paper fan? The fuser unit is at the back which fuses the ink to the paper and if it doesnt get hot enough then will cause a jam.

 

[rf065]

When it jams does the paper fold up as in paper fan? The fuser unit is at the back which fuses the ink to the paper and if it doesnt get hot enough then will cause a jam.

No, it just seems to stick. Paper is still in one piece but jammed. Only does it occasionally too.

Russ

 

[kheath74]

If it gets stuck in the fuser you will have to pull fairly hard to remove it, is this the case?

 

[rf065]

If it gets stuck in the fuser you will have to pull fairly hard to remove it, is this the case?

Yes, the bottom half is stuck & the top half seems free.

Russ

 

[kheath74]

Sounds like the fuser unit, if thats on its way out then its time to replace the printer, a replacement fuser would probably not be made anymore and if you can find one it may be around £50 so I would look at a new laser printer.

You should be able to pick one up fairly cheap these days at any major retailer like Staples or PC world.

 

[rf065]

Thanks, just bought a new toner cartridge recently as well, not even fitted yet, better stick that on e-bay now. :cry:

Russ

 

[kheath74]

If you havent used the toner thats the best idea, here is the cost of a replacement toner on Ebay at £40

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HP-laserjet-6...14&_trkparms=72:1690|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

Here is a new printer from PC World for £54

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...m=null&tm=null&sku=538898&category_oid=-24816

I would say if you are up for dismatling the 6P then go for it, its not that hard and you dont need any IT skills to change the toner, just common sense and a head for this sort of thing, if you have a toner then it makes sense to keep it running if you can.

On the other a new one is USB plug and play on Windows XP/Vista and will be nice and new.

 

[MBDevotee]

Paper Jamming

If it's picking up the paper ok but then jamming where it turns 180deg I would bet quite a bit that you have a tiny piece of paper jammed in there - it happens often when paper jams and people pull it out but it tears and there is a tiny bit stuck in there.

Take the covers off as prev mentioned and then look VERY carefully, the jammed piece will almost certainly be tiny, the smaller in fact the more likely they are to cause a jam!

You should be able to fix this yourself if you can get the covers off, as the other posters mention be careful with springs etc.

 

[rf065]

Thanks again, just mentioned it to my son who tells me he has an HP Laserjet 5 which he has not used for years and does not want anymore. Might give that a go for now if it still works & get a new printer later in the year. I'll strip the 6MP down & see if any paper is jammed or if it can be rescued for a while yet too.

Russ

 

[davidsl500]

HP Spares Division list all the parts for their printers and you can buy a maintenance kit for the 6MP. Dont bother though as as the kit is not exactly DIY although if you have a proper service manual you can do it. It will also cost you the best part of £130!. It will most likely be a bit of paper wedged somewhere - I've pulled out earings, toast, paperclips, drawing pins and staples out of printers before now! The transfer rollers and pickup rollers go hard and shiny over the years and need a good wipe and soaking to plump them up a bit. Isopropanol alcohol is fine - you can buy it from most chemists if you dont have any. Much easier to chuck it and buy another though !

 

[Alex M Grieve]

HP Spares Division list all the parts for their printers and you can buy a maintenance kit for the 6MP. Dont bother though as as the kit is not exactly DIY Much easier to chuck it and buy another though !

Couldn't agree more David. I received the advice "cheaper to buy another one" and was very skeptical - the guy had an obvious interest in selling me one.

I narrowed the problem down to the print head and replaced that - 90% of the cost of a new machine. It didn't work - so I eneded up with the new machine anyway.

As the man said, just cut to the chase and have a new one.

 

[kheath74]

Replace is the way to go, printer hardware is just not worth repairing anymore unless the printer cost over £500, then you can make the maintenance kit worth buying.

In my business we replace a lot of hardware now for new under out support contracts, it actually costs us less in time and effort to do this over a repair, such is the low cost of electronics now.