Clogged Heat Break?
With the nozzle removed, should filament pass all of the way though the extruder and exit the nozzle mounting hole? I just updated my Mk3 to the Mk3S and am not able to load the filament all of the way through. I verified the new filament sensor is working properly and made sure the nozzle is not clogged. The filament feeds for 3 inches (7.5 mm) and stops, even though the gears are still running and trying to feed it. I've never used anything but Prusament PLA or eSun PLA+. Do I need to dismantle the extruder to clear the clog.
Re: Clogged Heat Break?
the filament should pass right through a heated hotend, when the nozzle is removed...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
Re: Clogged Heat Break?
Thanks. I've confirmed the heat break is clogged. How do I clear it?
Re: Clogged Heat Break?
Thanks. I've confirmed the heat break is clogged. How do I clear it?
How have you determined that the heat break is clogged, did you dismantle it from the hotend and heatsink? If you just remove the nozzle and tired to push filament through without success then your heatbreak 'could' be blocked, or the PTFE tubing may have slipped up a bit and allowed a blob of soft filament to harden in the gap left between the tubing and the top of the heat break. The PTFE tubing slipping is probably more likely. You need to remove the heatbreak/throat from the heatsink to find out which has happened. If you lucky its the PTFE tubing as the blockage should be free to be pushed down afterwards.
Re: Clogged Heat Break?
I've dismantled the heat break from the hot end, and can see the blockage in the heat break. I've also removed the PTFE tube and confirmed it is not blocked.
Re: Clogged Heat Break?
I've dismantled the heat break from the hot end, and can see the blockage in the heat break. I've also removed the PTFE tube and confirmed it is not blocked.
You could try heating the entire heatbreak up with a hot air gun and forcing the the stuck filament out with a piece of wire or drill bit. The bore is 2mm wide so pick something slightly smaller than that. You could try drilling it out cold, but you risk scratching the inner surface more that way than by heat and persuasion. If all else fails a new heatbreak is quite cheap from e3d-online.com,
Re: Clogged Heat Break?
I've dismantled the heat break from the hot end, and can see the blockage in the heat break. I've also removed the PTFE tube and confirmed it is not blocked.
You could try heating the entire heatbreak up with a hot air gun and forcing the the stuck filament out with a piece of wire or drill bit. The bore is 2mm wide so pick something slightly smaller than that. You could try drilling it out cold, but you risk scratching the inner surface more that way than by heat and persuasion. If all else fails a new heatbreak is quite cheap from e3d-online.com,
I ended up heating the heat break with a small butane torch and then forcing the clog out with a 5/64 drill bit (shank end). Problem fixed.
RE: Clogged Heat Break?
My nozzle is removed, but there is definitely stoppage inside the heat break. Is it safe to heat up the hot end without the nozzle in hopes of breaking up the clog in the heat break?
Also, I am going to soak my nozzle in acetone to do a bit of cleaning. Is it safe to soak the heat break in acetone?
RE: Clogged Heat Break?
My nozzle is removed, but there is definitely stoppage inside the heat break. Is it safe to heat up the hot end without the nozzle in hopes of breaking up the clog in the heat break?
Yes. On blockage, I have used a 150x1.5mm brass rod with polished smooth ends for exactly this purpose.
- Heat the nozzle up to 285C, open the extruder door and push the rod down through the top, past the (open) Bondtech gears into the PTFE tubing and down through the heatbreak into the heater block. If the nozzle is still in, this can be used to extrude stuck filament. With gentle pressure, some clogs may pop loose.
- In extreme cases, remove the nozzle, raise Z and use pliers to gently press the rod up in the reverse direction, allowing it to heat up and pop stuck material up into the (open) extruder where it can be removed.
This rod has been my single most valuable tool and has saved me many teardowns.
Also, I am going to soak my nozzle in acetone to do a bit of cleaning. Is it safe to soak the heat break in acetone?
Acetone may not affect PLA or PETG much. I use a strip of cardboard to clean off the heated block and a silicone sock keeps it mostly clean otherwise.
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RE: Clogged Heat Break?
Hi,
I seem to be experiencing the same issue. I'm not sure if its a blockage or the PTFE tube has slipped. There is a blockage as I can only get a needle so far in (top part of the heat break). How did you go about dismantling? Any help would be most appreciated.
Many thanks
Matt
RE: Clogged Heat Break?
My nozzle is removed, but there is definitely stoppage inside the heat break. Is it safe to heat up the hot end without the nozzle in hopes of breaking up the clog in the heat break?
Yes. On blockage, I have used a 150x1.5mm brass rod with polished smooth ends for exactly this purpose.
For such purposes, this material has also proved to be very useful: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07R6Y2LKS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.
RE: Clogged Heat Break?
I have the same problem, but even after unclogging everything, the filament won’t extrude! The extruder even sometimes smokes! Help!