Epson R320 printer pad replacement ?

[Trudy]

I'm posting a question from Dave Burke. Reply here and he will read it!
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I have a question about Epson printers specifically a model stylus photo R320.

Ours quit working and was giving a message that reads "Some parts have reached the end of their operating life" After some investigation it appears that the problem is with something called "ink pads" that are close to being filled up.
Epson recommends that we buy a new printer since it will be quite costly to replace the pads. I was able to get the printer working by going to Epson's site and looking at the FAQs wherein I found a fix to download from Epson but not recommended. I installed the fix anyway and the printer is working now.
I would like to replace the pads myself but not sure where they are or if I can do the job.

Question: Is there anyone in the club who may have some knowledge of how to dissamble the printer to where I could find these pads? I thought about Dennis Fleming but don't have his Email address. Any help you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks

[Derek L]

I googled as follows:
www.google.com/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=epson+printer+r320+ink+pad+replace

Out of over 6900 hits, there are a number of pertinent postings.

Here's one at: www.fixya.com/support/t311089-epson_printer_parts_end_life from "soulvisitor" who appears to be somewhat of on expert on this.

He summarizes by saying:

"It is a labour intensive job to strip these machines and replace the pads and get them back in one piece and printing, it took me 2.5 hours to do my first one, now it still takes 3/4 of hour knowing the beast, but all epsons are the same not made for fixing just for throwing out. Besides the repair shop needing to replace 7 cheap pads you have to reset the counters that control the error, only epson dealers have access to that Eagle software program that you need to use to do it.

So in short, no they are not ripping you off and yes better off throwing it and no you cant just change the pads.

Believe it or not, you have done well to get 3 years from a inkjet, you must use gen inks."

It's not sounding encouraging, is it?

[loneeagle]

Derek:

Thanks for your reply.

I have been able to find a tube in the rear of the machine that feeds unused ink to the pads.

One man suggested that I use aquariam tubing to extend this to a jar and have the excess ink go there.

Rather than taking the machine apart I might do this although I would rather find the pads and wash and dry them which would work also per another person on the web.

Resetting the sensors is no problem using Epson's website as I have done this and the printer is working again. Epson does not recommend this of course, they would rather sell me a new machine.

Thanks again,

Dave Burke

[tommorin]

In any case DON'T turn the printer on it's side, like I did with my HP. The ink ran out and made on real nice mess. I eventualy used paper towels to soak up the ink, both inside the printer and on the table. tom