Extruding Issue
I have a Prusa i3 MK2 and recently when I try to print something, the filament isn't getting extruding properly. When extruding, it's very streaky and not extruding fully. I tried tightening or loosening the 2 screws where the filament enters the extruder but nothing was helping. I also checked to see if there was something stuck on the gear that feeds the filament through and there wasn't anything wrong with that and it runs smoothly. I don't know if the nozzle is clogged. When I'm loading the filament or printing the motor will try to feed it and the gear is moving but the filament doesn't move. It just kind of stays there while the gear is moving. When I push the filament through manually while the motor is running, the filament comes out like normal. It just doesn't do it on its own. What should I do??
RE: Extruding Issue
I recommend you unload the filament and try a cold pull.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
I have had this problem in the past and have found that if your purge with a cleaning filament that you can reduce it from happening. I use Novamaker Cleaning filament.
Video:
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
Thanks, I will try this!
RE: Extruding Issue
The cold pull will work. The purging is preventative. I have had a huge problem with mixing filament from PLA to ABS or PETG with CF on the change of filaments.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
Thanks so much for your help! I think the issue is fixed. I started a test print and so far it's looking good!
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
I think I spoke too soon. Midway through the test print, there was a clicking sound and now the filament is being extruded properly again. Do I just do the cold pull again?
RE: Extruding Issue
Yes. It could be bad filament. You do cold pulls till they come out clean.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
I changed the filament to something I know would work. And you were right. I think the filament was the issue because now it's printing okay.
Thank you so much for the help!!
RE: Extruding Issue
@hannah-k
You are welcome. Extrusion problems are so complex. There are many variables.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
So I started another print today thinking everything was fine since yesterday I printed one full part with no issues. However, today after I did some more cold pulls, I started a print with the filament that had no issues and it printed the first layer completely with no problems but the second layer was super streaky and almost nonexistent. All the layers after that did not even print. The filament just stopped extruding for some reason. So I stopped the print and I tried to extrude the filament on its own. And it extruded just fine.
Should I just buy a replacement nozzle or something at this point. I really do not know what the problem could be anymore.
RE: Extruding Issue
How tight is your idler screw? Post a photo of the far end. Also, unload the filament and post a photo. What did the end of the cold pulls look like?
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
My idler screws are about 13mm. What is the far end? The cold pulls are really short. And when I unload the filament there are slight gear marks but not chewed up. I loaded the filament after I unloaded and seemed to be extruding fine.
RE: Extruding Issue
Your idler is different from mine. My printer had a single idler or tension screw. Yours appears to have 2.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
Yes my printer is pretty old. It's the i3 MK2.
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
Yes my printer is pretty old. It's the i3 MK2.
Hannah,
I have to be honest with you. I thought you were new to printing and was confused by multiple threads I have read.
I have an old Mk2S. I will pull it out and take a look. I think you have a partial clog and is going complete based on the cold pull. Do you have any nylon?
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Extruding Issue
@charles-h13
Oh I'm not that new to printing. I've just never had any problems with my machine before. Also there was a few months where I stopped printing for a while and picked it back up recently. So I've kind of forgot a lot of things. But thanks for taking the time to help me.
I don't have any nylon unfortunately.
RE: Extruding Issue
@hannah-k
Did you ever resolve this issue? I seem to have run into the same issue, and can't seem to get the printer to extrude correctly!