PLA Clog

[MacAttack001]

Using my MakerGear M2 Rev E, had been printing fine using eSun 1.75mm PLA+3D Filament Black. I was doing fine resolution 0.1mm printing and went about 11 days on a single roll when it clogged. My guess is that the PLA absorbed moisture and that caused the clog. Switched in a brand new nozzle and tried running cleaning filament through which wouldn't go through. A little bit of the PLA did come out but then it stalled and nothing further would come out.

I have another new nozzle which I can swap in but I am wondering if the problem is higher up...say the hot end?

Running at 200 for the extruder using Simplify 3D, Windows 10.

Another question is the MakerGear M2 Rev E the 24v V3b hotend?

[insta]

You changed the nozzle, and it's still clogged?

Remove the nozzle (correctly...), and run some cleaning filament through it while the nozzle is off. You should get a giant fat log of goo coming out of the hotend. Remove all that, reinstall the nozzle, and try again.

200 is fine, maybe a little cool. I run PLA+ at 218 for the 0.35mm nozzles.

[3dPrintingMD]

Another question is the MakerGear M2 Rev E the 24v V3b hotend?

No, the Rev E is the V4 hotend.

[MacAttack001]

For a few minutes I thought the problem was fixed. Removed the old head, put on the new clean head, ran some PLA through perfectly fine. Leveled the bed....again. Heated it up for a print (went full 220 for the extruder and 70 for the bed)...nothing...nada.

So I am going to order a new hot end.

Thanks for the suggestion, though. I really though it was going to work.

[Jules]

Did you check the tension? Make sure that the set screw is tight in the filament drive gear? It might not be the hotend.

[MacAttack001]

It was able to run through about 50mm of filament before stopping. So I think the tension is not the problem.

[sthone]

You don't need a new hot end .... did you try what intsa said?????

Remove the nozzle (correctly...), and run some cleaning filament through it while the nozzle is off. You should get a giant fat log of goo coming out of the hotend. Remove all that, reinstall the nozzle, and try again.

Sometimes the hotend barrel itself will clog... if you did what intsa recommended and the big glob of crap didn't come out and then continue to feed... remove the filament drive and push all the crap out of the barrel with one of the smaller allen wrenches from the top of the hotend.

[MacAttack001]

I did remove the nozzle, heated it up got a log of PLA out. Re-assembled the entire unit, leveled the bed...again (which annoys me greatly). Started a print and it clogged. With a brand new roll of eSun PLA+...same color that I have been using since I started printing about nine months ago.

I have only printed with PLA, initially the roll of PLA from MakerGear and then eSun PLA+ black.

So yes, I did precisely what Insta advised.

[sthone]

If it's clogging at the start of a print your z- height might be off. How does it extrude with just the jog commands? (hot end away from the table)


BTW - you shouldn't have to relevel the bed every time ... you just need reset the starting height.

[MacAttack001]

It is clogging at the initial purge before the print begins, when it goes to the side of the build plate.

And yet, every time the bed level is off. I for one will be glad when auto leveling upgrade is available.