Hotend replacing help needed
Hi there,
This is my first time disassebling a hot end in a Prusa machine and I am not sure where to start.
Ideally I would like to replace the whole component as it got damaged with a PLA blob.
The tricky thing is that I can't bring the print to temperature (for istance to release the nozzle) because the thermister is broken and the printer shows a MINITEMP error in the display.
Have you ever experience this? how do I get this printer back in track?
Thnk you
RE: Hotend replacing help needed
If you have a hot air gun, a low setting (ideally around 160C or use a light touch) should be sufficient to soften the gunked up filament to the point that it will pull easily away. Be careful around the delicate thermistor and heater cartridge wires and you may be able to salvage them. Use a non-conductive toothpick and a strip of cardboard for detail cleanup. That's not the worst "Blob of Doom" I've seen someone recover from. Just go slowly.
Refer to the Prusa & E3D online documentation for disassembly and reassembly. Pay careful attention to proper insertion and heat tightening of the nozzle.
If you're unable to clean it up, be prepared for having to replace a few items that might be welded together. I keep spares on hand of:
- Heatbreak
- Heater block
- Thermistor cartridge
- Heater cartridge
- Nozzle
You can use this as an excuse to upgrade to a titanium or bimetal heatbreak, a nickel-plated copper heatblock and coated nozzle to help avoid future problems.
RE: Hotend replacing help needed
Thanks,
I indeed had to buy the whole hot end and thermistor and looking to replace it now.
I managed to unplug to unplug the heater cartrige, but I am having trouble to find the thermistor on the RAMBo, I am quite scared to break something.
Do you know where I can find it?
Cheers 🙂
RE: Hotend replacing help needed
For MK2:
For MK3:
Look for assembly instructions in the knowledge base.
RE: Hotend replacing help needed
Amazing! thanks a lot, I have a MK3.
Fingers crossed, I hope to get the printer fixed by today!