XL(2) Nextruder issue - clicking noises, only prints for a few seconds
Dear fellow Prusans,
I read the following forum posts somewhat related to my issue - sadly none bear any solution:
Recently (in the past 2 days) an issue emerged with my 2T XL printer, namingly, one of the nextruders gives a "clicking" noise after a few seconds of printing, and however it continues printing, no filament leaves the nextruder after a few seconds.
Nextruder #1 prints flawlessly.
The issue is with nextruder #2. After performing some basic maintenance just to be sure (based on this link: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/regular-printer-maintenance-xl_401237), I tried the following test print: https://www.printables.com/model/541073-xl-multi-tool-manual-calibration/files
I attached the following videos of the issue:
- I tried to print the basic test print with nextruder #2 (clicking noise): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mghzvCAF6W_mWJ5YKEUtXD66bKZAkDio/view?usp=sharing
- When trying to load / unload filament:
- Same (or, similar) noise when trying another calibration print: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pNttEEbG9DbSL72YkKKGx6qY680cZ9Df/view?usp=sharing
Also, a few images:
- A test print, where you can see that nextruder #2 prints less and less: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o8Fe6YLHSCt1IGKVz_gVJXsLN2YOWZSk/view?usp=sharing
- Another test print, same issue, in the 1st few seconds it prints, but after that less and less material: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QtT3nEkOx8yOa09SEvSQ1bCG1Lob20a4/view?usp=sharing
Requesting your kind help - any help is appreciated.
I would first try a cold-pull and then carefully adjust the extruder idler pressure - make sure both screws are turned the same amount; maybe as little as a quarter turn.
Cheerio,
RE: XL(2) Nextruder issue - clicking noises, only prints for a few seconds
Hi, thanks for the input!
Do you mean possibly these two screws? What is a cold-pull?
Thanks!
RE: XL(2) Nextruder issue - clicking noises, only prints for a few seconds
When you have filament loaded, do you see a gap at this location (green circle), similar to the picture? If there's no gap, your tensioner has bottomed out and thus can't properly apply tension to the filament in the extruder, which allows it to slip. When it slips, the extruder gear grinds a flat spot in the filament, which allows it to slip even more easily, so it's a vicious cycle. That's happened to most or all of my 5 extruders at this point; sometime last year Prusa allegedly switched those parts to PCCF to mitigate that issue.
RE: XL(2) Nextruder issue - clicking noises, only prints for a few seconds
https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/5-nextruder-assembly_707767#714502 - and following pages.
Cheerio,
RE: XL(2) Nextruder issue - clicking noises, only prints for a few seconds
Will check these, thanks guys!
RE: XL(2) Nextruder issue - clicking noises, only prints for a few seconds
I was running into this issue with one of my tool heads. Cleaned the nozzle, same issue, changed the nozzle and the issue was solved for one print and then, back to clicking. I took the tool head apart and found that the heat sink was a light gray color indicating there was a possible overheat. I luckily had a spare parts kit on hand and replaced the heat sink, hot end, and nozzle. Tool head is working like a champ now.
Another thing to look for, is broken filament inside the feed tube of the extruder. I had a diamond nozzle that suddenly jammed up and had me scratching my head. I removed the nozzle and shined a light down the feed tube and saw filament inside. It would not budge at all. I have a rework station that puts out some serious heat, I put the nozzle inside a 7mm deep well bit driver and began heating both the socket and the nozzle. I used a pair of needle nose pliers to lightly hold the nozzle while heating. once I began seeing material ooze from the nozzle, I set the nozzle inside the 7mm socket and then inserted a 1/16th inch Allen wrench down the feed tube and used it as a ram to push filament out. I did this several times and it seemed to do the trick of seriously stuck/ broken filament inside the nozzle.