Clogged heatbreak
I'm having a tough-to-fix clogging.
I suspected it was the nozzle, but after removing and cleaning the nozzle I noticed something very bad. The fan cooling the heatbreaker was obstructed and didn't spin. So the clogged up filament is probably in the heatbreak itself.
I'm severely handicapped and every time I need to fix the printer I have to do it through someone else while I explain. No, 3d printing is not the right hobby for me, I know. But one loves what one loves...
Unfortunately, I used PLA, so acetone won't work :-/
Anyway, what would be the easiest way to clean the heatbreaker? I really hope to avoid screwing the whole extruder a part, but if that is what it takes, so be it.
Re: Clogged heatbreak
Did you use ABS before? Today I had a situation where I just used ABS, reloaded with PLA but it was clogged. No matter what I did I could not load the PLA. So I pre-heated to ABS setting, and then again loaded the PLA. too hot for PLA but right temperature for the ABS that was stuck inside.
The moment PLA loaded I went to the pre-heat menu and lowered to PLA.
Re: Clogged heatbreak
John
First thing to try:
Remove the filament tension screws/springs and move flap down
Remove the extruder fan - the small one on the fide
Set the extruder temp to 225 degrees
While heating up get some filament and cut the end square
Put the filament directly into the PTFE tube; after a few minutes hopefully you will be able to push the filament through
Once you have pushed the filament through a couple of inches, lower extruder temp to 150
Pull the filament out in one movement - hopefully it will come out completely
Allow the extruder to cool and replace the items previously removed.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Clogged heatbreak
I can vouch for Peter's method. It's a little annoying to need to detach the fan, but it worked great for me, and it's much easier than other alternatives.
I just would caution...don't try to remove or install the fan while it's moving! Trust me on that one. 😉
Re: Clogged heatbreak
Thanks for all the tips 🙂
I ended up heating up, removing the nozzle, opening the feeder cover, covering the feeder wheel with duct tape and pushing a thick (1mm) metal string through. It did the trick nicely.
If you try this easy method, do remember to cover the feeder wheel or else you might get an uneven feed rate if you scratch the wheel.
It's good to be printing again 🙂
