Filament Extruder Stucked
Hello,
I have the extruder of my I3 mkII Kit stuck. It started at my third test print. When I try to load filament using the menu function I could only hear clicks (pulley slipping) but not no filament has been passed or feed thru the extruder. I also tried the unload function from the menu, but no luck here either. All this operations with the extruder at PLA temperature. I tried the included needle to clean/unclog it did not solve the problem. Ultimately I tried to pull the filament with the included pliers which resulted in breaking the filament and leaving a piece of filament inside.
Would you point me out to the proper procedure to put the extruder in operation again?
PS: Also I noticed that the extruder fan sometimes will not start until I tap it with my finger, I noticed this during the selfcheck function.
Re: Filament Extruder Stucked
Hotend fan should turn on automatically I think once it reached 50°C (or somesuch). If it does not and you keep printing with it off you will end up with on hell of a clog in the hotend sooner or later. Maybe check the fan wiring again to make sure connector is properly seated or maybe you a broken wire? If this continues to happen, ask Prusa for a replacement fan, this fan needs to work reliably.
In order to get the filament out, heat up the nozzle, unscrew the 2 tensioning screws on the side of the extruder and flip the lid open. Depending how clogged the whole thing is, you should be able to pull it out that way. If not, thing will get a bit more complicated.
Now, I am not certain if you have a clog because your hotend fan wasn't working or if that's just the usual "filament loading" problem. The latter can be avoided by cutting the filament at a steep angle before loading. You want a pointy tip, so that it doesn't get stuck trying to go into the Teflon tube. Pointy longer side should go into the center of the hole (facing left), angled side faces outwards where the lid is (right).
Hope this helps
Re: Filament Extruder Stucked
Hello Stephan, thanks for taking the time to reply, I'll post my results. Also, I found this link on how to remove the extruder