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Possible clog between the extruder motor and hotend  

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jacob.k11
(@jacob-k11)
New Member
Possible clog between the extruder motor and hotend

I was running a test printer with my MK3 to make sure nothing was damaged after moving the printer. After about 2.5 hours into the first print. I can in to find the print stopped at 99% and the filament feed broken. I tried unloading the broken filament but after backing out a few inches I wasn't able to pull out the feed. I wasn't in the room when it happened but I think the feed clogged somewhere between the extruder motor and the hotend. I don't remember seeing any filament gunked up on the nozzle either.

I uploaded pictures of the state of the printer right now. I'm hoping someone has some advice on how to remove a clog or how to find one in the extruder?

http://imgur.com/a/9Kmb23f

Edit: I'm sorry the pictures aren't necessarily helpful. I'm hoping someone has experienced something like this with their printer and how they fixed it. Unfortunately I won't have a chance to take the extruder apart to find the problem for a few weeks so I'm hoping to have some advice on how to fix a clog before I go and dismantle the printer.

https://discord.software/https://adobereader.onl/https://itunes.red/
Posted : 05/09/2018 3:22 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Re: Possible clog between the extruder motor and hotend

Take a look through this thread.

Your pictures show a broken strand of filament sticking up out of the printer. Is that the position it's stuck in?

The 1st challenge is to remove the stuck filament. Try the following:

  • Loosen the extruder tensioning screws on the left of the housing.

  • Remove the little filament sensor cleaning cover insert on the top-right.

  • Open up the extruder cover.

  • Inspect the inside of the extruder. Can you see the stuck filament?
  • Clearning the stuck filament and/or jam is your next challenge:

  • Is there a blob above the gears or below that's preventing it from being withdrawn? Can you cut the blob off and remove the filament with long-nose pliers?

  • Is there filament broken off below the extruder gears in the PTFE tube but above the heater block? Follow the procedure at the end of the linked thread if so.

  • If you've cleared the extruder and you think the nozzle is clogged, try doing some cold pulls. If you have a spare, you could just swap it temporarily to test.
  • This isn't really a big deal, so try to get used to doing it whenever necessary. It's a shame to lose more than 10 minutes to a routine jam.

    My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

    and miscellaneous other tech projects
    He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

    Posted : 05/09/2018 3:43 pm
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