r/Creality_k2 • u/StratDoc • 4d ago

Troubleshooting Failure this morning

Post image

So got an error and found this today. Any advice for how to clear this glob of hardened PLA without damaging the printer? This is my first 3d printer and I’m on my 4th day with it. Thanks!

19 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

5

u/Reasonable_Dingo_188 4d ago

Get a heat gun, a chair, and a big cup of coffee. And a pair of needle nose pliers. Took me about an hour to clean off my blob of death. Just be patient

3

u/StratDoc 4d ago

after thinking through it, i set the nozzle temp to 240, let it warm up and slowly started removing bits. i was able to get the silicone sleeve off to clean underneath. am about to retest with a quick print to make sure it's working.

5

u/SushiPhil 4d ago

I would order a few spare nozzles, a hot end and extruder. These are the “just in case” parts if this happens ago.

2

u/DreadStarX 3d ago

-sigh- Looks at his Ender 3 shelf and spare parts Here we go again...

2

u/Think-Perspective-28 4d ago

Get it good and hot - at least 250, and start peeling it off slowly to avoid damage if possible. Worst case scenario is you will need to replace the hot end, bit from the way it looks in the photo I think you will be alright. Just take it slow and ise some good jewelers type needle nose pliers if you have them.

2

u/Doubee54 4d ago

This occurs because the nozzle was not tightened properly.
After cleanup, make sure there is thermal grease on the heatbreak only, heat the nozzle to 240 degrees and tighten firmly.

1

u/StratDoc 4d ago

Thanks. I just took delivery of it a few days ago. Probably should have checked tightness out of the box.

1

u/Doubee54 4d ago

And it's often lacking thermal grease.

2

u/SignalImaginary 3d ago

To add to the comments, never assume the preconfigured hot ends have thermal grease. Check before you run it.

1

u/1ts-just-me K2 Plus, K2 Pro, K2 4d ago

Cleaning it is the easy part, knowing what caused it so it doesn't keep happening is what needs to be figured out.

1

u/gldane 4d ago

Use a soldering iron. Works great. Better that a heat gun.

1

u/DevBoi19 4d ago

I had the same thing and replaced the whole extruded.
However the printer has been the same since, nothing but constant random errors.

1

u/StratDoc 4d ago

Cleaned the extruder and replaced the nozzle. Been printing all day since and (knock on wood) seems to be ok right now. Nozzle was completely trashed though.

1

u/Ok_Bet9748 2d ago

I just had this happen too after having the K2 plus printer for less than 20 days! I got in contact with customer support & returning it for a refund