Can't get PLA to print 🙁  

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

@cwbullet

I ordered some nozzles, but stupidly ordered 0.5 instead of 0.4, will order some more to try, and I might try the standard heatbreak from E3D, got to be worth a try for the price.

I've made some new PTFE pieces and some blue Capricorn ones just to try, downloaded a jig and managed to make them, took a few tries to get perfect.

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

Just remember every new thing you add is another variable to increase the risk of failure.  Increased complexity is the enemy of success.  

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

@mattj

This has to be approached methodically. Shotgun approach will end with you just hurting your foot.

At this point - I'd start with a full and complete printer reset with data clear. Start as if new out of the box.

Run through the all of the wizard calibrations, including layer one.  When the printer says "all done," then immediately print a the sample gcode for the Prusa logo to examine performance.

Make NO ADJUSTMENTS TO DEFAULTS. 

This gets you back to a known condition. And then changes made can be carefully considered to results.

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/factory-reset_2216   ALL DATA

If you don't get the language screen on reboot, the reset was not completed.

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

Posted by: @mattj

I've made some new PTFE pieces and some blue Capricorn ones just to try

Try sliding filament through the PTFE before installing; the tubing should fall freely down a length of filament. There was some scuttlebutt the Capricorn was too small an ID for printing.

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

Capricorn can be too small to stay in place in some printers.  I have never tried it in the hotend of an MK3S.  

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

Posted by: @tim-2

@mattj

This has to be approached methodically. Shotgun approach will end with you just hurting your foot.

I am going to have remember this one - the "shotgun" approach. 

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

The filament doesn't fall freely down the original PTFE spares supplied with the kit, it does down the new white ones I've made and it does down the blue ones.

I'll try the reset, and yes like you say, need to go back to the start and only change one thing at a time, good idea!

Thanks guys

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

@mattj

I think you will kick this.  Just be patient.  

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

I tried a PTFE lined heat break today, with a Capricorn tube all the way to the nozzle, but still the same under extrusion, probably even worse

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

Well I may have cracked it!...rebuilt the hotend with genuine steel E3D heat break, new 0.4mm brass nozzle, E3D PTFE tube, cleaned all heat paste out of the heatsink, applied new E3D paste, working so much better now! using colorfabb PLA, no more gaps and it's working the best it ever has at the moment, will run more prints.

RE: Can't get PLA to print 🙁

@mattj
Did you get this resolved?
If yes, what do you think did it?