Print coming off pages on HP LJ 4000

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b33k34

I recently bought a low page count (<10k) LJ4000. I'm getting
problems with print coming off the pages. It's fine on a letter but if
i print an excel spreadsheet or a document with tables and shading the
print 'drags' and comes off when rubbed with my finger.

Is this the fuser that has failed? I'm surprised to find anything worn
out with such a low page count despite the age.
 
I can't understand why letters wouldn't suffer from the same problem as
an excel file. There are three causes I can think of that can cause
toner to not stick to the paper.

1) Fuser is not heating to proper fusing temperature.

This can be a bad heating element (often a halogen lamp inside of the
fuser drum/roller), partially failed power supply area, failing or
mispositioned thermostat or feedback circuit.

2) Wrong type of toner refill (toners are formulated for many factors,
and one is the temperature at which the toner melts and fuses to the
paper. The fusing temperatures can very considerably.

There can also be mechanical difficulties than can develop which can
cause the paper not to contact the fuser drum properly. It can even be
some jammed paper in the paper path that is not allowing the paper to
position correctly in the fuser section. Some laser printers have a
"shipping position" lever for the paper path around the fuser section
which may guide the paper a distance from the fuser drum, which won't
allow the paper to heat adequately to fuse the toner.

3) Wrong paper. Some papers may be too thick, or have either coatings,
surfaces or treatments that simply will not allow toner to adhere,
regardless of the fuser temperature.

Art
 
Arthur said:
1) Fuser is not heating to proper fusing temperature.
Click to expand...
Possible - i can't say

2) Wrong type of toner refill
Click to expand...
I've an OEM toner though it could be rather old
There can also be mechanical difficulties
Click to expand...

Ok. Interesting. I picked up a duplex unit that was being thrown out
at work and the problems have been since around when i got that. i've
just taken it out and printed a greyscale heavy page and it's fine. It
looks like the duplexer is upsetting the paper flow somehow. Any
advice on this?
3) Wrong paper. Some papers may be too thick, or have either coatings,
surfaces or treatments that simply will not allow toner to adhere,
regardless of the fuser temperature.
Click to expand...

it's cheap general purpose laser paper so should be fine.
 
I don't know enough about how the duplexer operates to comment. If it
somehow engages with the fuser section, I'd look to see if it might be
keeping the paper from coming in direct contact with the fuser rollers,
or perhaps it is somehow "stealing" enough heat from the fuser to cool
it down?

Art
 
Arthur said:
I don't know enough about how the duplexer operates to comment. If it
somehow engages with the fuser section, I'd look to see if it might be
keeping the paper from coming in direct contact with the fuser rollers,
or perhaps it is somehow "stealing" enough heat from the fuser to cool
it down?
Click to expand...

The Duplexer squeaks and creaks like anything so I knew it wasn't in
top condition. I might try giving it a good clean and maybe a bit of
lubrication. For some reason the duplexer unit contains a fan that
presumably sucks air away from the printer.

Time for a specific post on this i think.
 
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