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Installed new Ink Pumps - Roland SC 540 ... 2/3 Failed from the start ... reason?

96XP

New Member
It's been a few months, and meant to post my question sooner: that if anyone else had ever experienced this same issue, and what reason (diagnostic) there could be for the new pumps to be defective.

'Generic Roland XJ-540 / XC-540 / VP-540 Solvent Resistant Ink Pump - 6700319010'

~​

A few months back, I decided to order 3 new ink pumps, just to be prudent.
After first install, I had noticed they were very noisy, a shriek I'd never experienced before when they were actuated.

Two of the three that were installed didn't do the job - and my caps were: floating ink/not draining, and that was the initial cue.
That said, some heads got temporarily clogged as a result.

I then removed them, opened for inspection, then reinstalled, to no avail. Ended up putting the old pumps back in as they were still functioning.

Any idea what part is faulty? Perhaps the 'U' shaped tube within the pump? Should I swap the tube for the old?

Thanks for reading.
 

96XP

New Member
WHERE DID YOU PURCHASE THEM?
perhaps you got chinese look alike pumps?
sign-in-global - I see they are now advertising "Improved Roland Solvent Resistant Ink Pump". They must have skipped the quality control phase on my order. Neither do they have OEM. Still curious what failed in the unit. And they are fascinatingly simple in design.
 

Solventinkjet

DIY Printer Fixing Guide
They might not have enough grease where the cams make contact with the tube inside the pump. If there's too much friction, you'll hear those screech noises.
 

96XP

New Member
They might not have enough grease where the cams make contact with the tube inside the pump. If there's too much friction, you'll hear those screech noises.
Hmmm, I did observe a small amount on the old pumps, and looks the same color/texture as Lithium grease. Am I correct, or is it something else?
 

netsol

Premium Subscriber
the answer might be the same as my garage door openers.
if you take a can of food grade silicone and get a little splash of it on the grease it will thin the grease out a bit.
(this assumes the silicone and the grease use a similar solvent.
 
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netsol

Premium Subscriber
vanderj is assuming not enough grease.
i am assuming old stock (but perfectly good) but grease has thickened.
 
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damonCA21

Active Member
That is a good reason to avoid generic cheap chinese copies and use original parts where you can. Its quite possible as netsol says they greased them and the grease has dried out and seized them. Compare them to your old ones and see if they turn as freely, and also check they give suction when turning
 

96XP

New Member
Didn't have time when I began this thread, however here are a few reference images comparing the new with the old.
Not sure how much grease there should be on the inside, though perhaps someone can offer direction on how much and where to pack it in, as I'll give it another try.
 

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96XP

New Member
... images continued.
 

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