Filament is stuck at the top of the PTFE tube
Hello,
a piece of filament (PLA) is stuck at the top end of the PTFE tube. I can see it when I open the idler. I cannot push the piece of filament through, no matter how long I heat the nozzle up to any °C. Does that mean, that I have to take the extruder apart?
Thanks for your help!
RE: Filament is stuck at the top of the PTFE tube
Unscrewing only the nozzle (*) and pushing from below might be enough. But if that doesn't help then yes, disassembling the extruder and possibly the hot end, too, is the only way.
(*) Requires the E3D Nozzle Change procedure.
RE: Filament is stuck at the top of the PTFE tube
Yep, i've had it this way a few times last summer. The problem is (over)heating of extruder motor and motor then overheats filament via shaft and gears, especially when it's hot outside (and in the room, sure...). As a result filament becomes soft and stucks. The only way is to dissasemble whole extruder, sorry. FIlament gets jammed at contact of heater and alluminium cooler above it, and because it's thicker there you can't just pull it out. You must remove silicone tube (among others). Painfull, i agree.
And, put some cooler on extuder motor, or even better a small fan (5V model, powered at filament sensor). I've had it installed on MK3, but since upgrade to MK3S i have yet to mount it back (it's spring now, so i have some time until hot summer).