My Canon Pixma iP4000 died :(

[Rhonda Garran]

The big black ink tank won't print.  I did the nozzle check, the cleaning, the deep cleaning, took the print head out and did the WD-40 cleaning, I un-installed and re-installed the printer nothing is helping

To get a new printhead will be around $77 (if I can find one in stock)
To get a new Canon Pixma iP3600 would be $79.99

I am worried that the ink the 3600 uses won't beahve the same way on things like magnet paper, etc.

I am torn what to do......

[Katie Poore]

I sympathize.  I love my 4000 and my 3000.  A friend spent a few years gathering 3  for me from Craigslist, etc. and I used them to death.  I haven't been able to find a new print head for either one. 

I've cleaned my print heads with alcohol, but I never heard of using WD-40.  What does it do?

Good luck.  I loved those printers!

[Rhonda Garran]

I guess WD-40 is supposed to break up clogged ink.  I also tried alcohol.  The last thing I read about that I have not tried is lock de-icer.  But I am thinking if alcohol and WD-40 didn't do it, lock de-icer probably is not going to do it either.  I don't think it is a clog issue, I think it's time is just up

[pwoolfolk]

I get my printheads from Canon for my IP5000 - only $50.  I have unclogged mine many times, but only use water, alcohol and a mixture that I got from an ink company on the net (it works a lot faster than the water or the alcohol).

[Katie Poore]

Unfortunately, the 3000 and 4000 are no longer Canon's concern.  They no longer sell the parts.  The only source I've ever seen is from China and I'm pretty leery of taking a chance with it.

You can always check eBay and take your chances with a used printer.  I think my last purchase (which I'm using upstairs in our apartment) is a 3600.  I had to buy different ink but it seems to be working well. (used on eBay)

[MarieFyfe]

You have my deepest sympathy -- My cannon Pixma is on it's last leg -- but still plugging away -- I did purchase another one on Ebay only to fill it with new ink and having it die within 5 minutes!  LOL  Lots of lost money on that one! 

I've never been happy with any printer since my Epson printer died several years ago ... I am now the happy owner of 4 inkjets and one laser printer (which I never use)... My husband has FORBIDDEN another printer to enter the house -- it's hard!  LOL

[Rhonda Garran]

LOL you sound like me Marie!

I have 3 lasers and 2 ink jets :O

A small HP black and white laser for printing e-mails and orders and everyday stuff.

An OKI color laser that I got for wrappers and stuff.
But the OKI would not print 3.5" x 5.0" cards--it would only accept certain sized media so I got.....

An HP Color Laser that I use for those cards.  And although it is much slower than the OKI I actually like the print from it better than the OKI so now I use that one more than the OKI.

An Epson with Dura Brite inks that I was using for magnet sheets and wrapper designs that just did not look good laser printed, but it would not print the water proof vinyl Wine Labels that I liked --the printable area was not big enough to go to the edges of them and I preferred to ise the inkjet ones cuz they are thicker than the laser ones so I got....

The Canon Pixma that I was using for wine labels.  And then since the ink was cheaper I started using it for magnet sheets and I was using it for the Red River Paper cuz the Epson that I have uses the Dura Brite pigment based inks that won't work with the Red River Paper.

I think I am nuts!

I did order a new Canon Pixma iP3600 online.  And printheads for that are still available so if I end up liking ths new printer I just may get a spare print head and put it away.