Need Help Mimaki UCJV300-160 White ink Leak

[Pawel90]

Hello everyone,
I'm a happy owner of Mimaki UCJV300-160. The machine has been working fine for almost 2 years now (I got it brand new).

Today suddenly I noticed Leak near the pump. Nearly all white ink just leaks.
There is my question, is there any chance I can fix it myself or do I have to call for an engineer. What can be the reason for that sudden leak?
Attaching some photos.

Thanks
Pawel

 

[Solventinkjet]

It's either a bad connection or a tube ruptured inside a pump. You're going to have to get it cleaned up as best as possible and try to find where the leak is coming from. Looks like it's coming from the right pump from the pictures. They are fairly easy to replace.

 

[Pawel90]

So the best and easiest way is to get a new pump and replace it?

 

[Solventinkjet]

So the best and easiest way is to get a new pump and replace it?

Only if it's the actual pump where the leak is coming from. You'll want to make sure that's where it's coming from. It could be a bad connection between two tubes for example. But I have seen the pumps just break internally before. Just don't leave the covers off for long periods of time especially if the machine is near a bright light source or window.

 

[RAWE Michal]

Hi! Just have the same issue as you. What was the problem at your machine?

Thanks!
Michal

 

[Pawel90]

The pump blew up. Have to replace a pump.

 

[RAWE Michal]

did you replace it on your own or technician had to do it?
Do you remember the cost?

Thanks

 

[Pawel90]

I did it myself is easy to do it. If you got some manual skills you will handle this without a problem. The cost was about £100 as I remember.

 

[Beau Barcus]

Just had the same issue with ours. Came in this morning with puddles of ink on the floor. Pulled off the back cover and sure enough the pump on the right side looked just like your photos. I have an email out to Mimaki tech support, but after reading this I assume I'll be replacing the pump.
Anything I should know when replacing it? Any tips of things you unexpectedly ran into?
Thanks!

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

You can just replace the silicone tubing inside the pump, not too hard (messy), dirt cheap and it's a good thing to do every few years. Just a peristaltic pump run by a stepper. Just unclamp the body, measure the silicone tubing, cut new bits, move the fittings, clamp the lines (zip ties work, but spring clamps are best), install the tubes, lubricate with a bit of silicone grease and reassemble.

 

[Beau Barcus]

You can just replace the silicone tubing inside the pump, not too hard (messy), dirt cheap and it's a good thing to do every few years. Just a peristaltic pump run by a stepper. Just unclamp the body, measure the silicone tubing, cut new bits, move the fittings, clamp the lines (zip ties work, but spring clamps are best), install the tubes, lubricate with a bit of silicone grease and reassemble.

You think it's just the tubing inside the pump that has failed?

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Yup, peristaltic pumps are just rollers smooshing a tube, imagine an infinite toothpaste tube squeezer.

 

[Beau Barcus]

Yup, peristaltic pumps are just rollers smooshing a tube, imagine an infinite toothpaste tube squeezer.

Oh got it! Nice analogy. Makes sense. I appreciate your input. May try that tube replacement first then.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Tubing will be thin wall metric, make sure to get inside and outside diameter. If in a pinch and need it quickly, I have used nitromethane rated silicone fuel line from a local hobby shop to good effect before.