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Filament will not load  

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motocoder
(@motocoder)
Trusted Member
Filament will not load

I was trying to print a single-walled cube, to do some extrusion multiplier calculations on Prusa PETG, when I started receiving print fan errors. During troubleshooting of this, I unloaded the filament. When I went to load it in again, it will not load. I can feel the printer start to pull the filament in, but then it stops.

(EDIT) I removed the extruder from the printer. It looks like the problem is that the filament broke off just where it enters the tube below the Bondtech gears. I am not sure what the best way is to repair this.

Posted : 28/04/2018 5:32 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Filament will not load

can you heat the extruder then grip the end of the filament with long nose pliers, then pull it out
if you can't pull it out, then try pushing it in, with the end of another length of filament

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

Posted : 28/04/2018 11:05 am
motocoder
(@motocoder)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Filament will not load


can you heat the extruder then grip the end of the filament with long nose pliers, then pull it out
if you can't pull it out, then try pushing it in, with the end of another length of filament

Thanks, Joan. I will give it a try once I have everything re-assembled.

Posted : 28/04/2018 5:36 pm
Pete
 Pete
(@pete)
Trusted Member
Re: Filament will not load

Wish you luck.

Had something similar last week and wasn't able to pull the filament out nor push it through with another piece of filament. Didn't try with a wire as suggested in the knowledge base as last resort. Feared I might damage the extruder or the hotend.

Finally I removed the hotend. The culprit was a blob of PLA at the very end of the teflon tube just before the heatbreak. Unfortunately I've had damaged the teflon tube during my first tries to push the filament down. Luckily had a spare piece laying around which I've cut to length and installed.

Reassembled the printhead and everything was fine again.

Posted : 28/04/2018 7:27 pm
motocoder
(@motocoder)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Filament will not load


can you heat the extruder then grip the end of the filament with long nose pliers, then pull it out
if you can't pull it out, then try pushing it in, with the end of another length of filament

regards Joan

Hi Joan -

I just wanted to thank you for the advice. After I reassembled everything, I heated it up as you suggested, and then pushed upwards from below by inserting a nozzle cleaning needle into the nozzle end. The filament popped up and I was able to extract it exactly as you suggested.

Many Thanks,
Matt

Posted : 13/05/2018 6:59 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Filament will not load

Thank you Matthew,

most issues have been experiences by someone on the forum already, sharing our experiences can help resolve issues more quickly.

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

Posted : 13/05/2018 8:14 am
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