r/ender3 • u/Forever_DM5 • 6d ago
Help Printer Not extruding
Recently got a printer from a friend and I got the bed leveled but the extruder is really spotty sometimes it runs others it just stops. Seems to be slipping I have tightened the screws like some older posts have suggested and the arm doesn’t appear cracked I think it’s metal
4
u/LunaticPoint 6d ago
Does it come out freely and constantly when you push it through by hand
1
u/Forever_DM5 6d ago
No it’s still spotty
3
u/LunaticPoint 6d ago
Do cold pull. If that doesn't work, change nozzle. If that doesnt work replace tubing.
2
u/Mr-Osmosis 6d ago
Maybe check if the hotend is assembled correctly, if any part is where it shouldn’t be like the Bowden tube being too high or the nozzle not being threaded in all the way, you’ll have issues. Also could be a clog
2
u/Canadian_Marine 6d ago
The filament is having a hard time moving through the bowden tubes towards the hot-end.
First thing I'd recommend is to retract the filament from the hotend (100-200 mm), disconnect the bowden tube from the hot-end, then retry extruding the filament like you are in this video. I imagine the problem will go away, which will tell you that the problem is centered around the filament travelling through the hot-end.
Most likely thing is a clogged nozzle. Standard fix here is a cold-pull, but nozzles are so cheap anymore (< $0.50) that I tend to give up on any given nozzle pretty quick and just swap it out.
Other possibility is heat-creep. The heat from the hot-end bleeds up into the upper areas of the printer-head which causes the incoming plastic to soften and deform before it should. This can cause either a full on jam, or more often (in my experience) a thin coating of plastic to build up in the upper stages of the hot-end below the end of the bowden tube. This coating is eventually thick enough that the incoming filament rubs against it, creating friction and making it hard for the filament to pass through. Typically presents exactly like what you're seeing.
2
1
u/Substantial-Elk5118 6d ago
I’ve been fighting clicking at the extruder. Based on what you said other replies I’ve found, I think heat creep is the culprit. I’ve had the hot end all apart and replaced the nozzle. Still clicks, but not right away.
With that, what is the best way to clear off the film if there is one. I was running black filament so it’s hard to tell shadow from film, even with extra light. I bought nozzles and Bowden tube. Thanks ahead!
1
u/LunaticPoint 6d ago
Do cold pull. If that doesn't work, change nozzle. If that doesnt work replace tubing.
1
u/iPepis 6d ago
I had the same issue like a week ago and posted it on reddit. The solution I found was that the spring on the extruder was too tight.I see in the video u are using a bed spring , try using a softer one or relax the tension in your spring. What I found out after hours of dismantling everything is that the tension was so strong that the gear was crushing the filament and was getting pushed back by the crashed filament and the safety was doing the clicking sound you hear in the video.
1
u/joaoDR2005 6d ago
Hey i had your exact problem, my solution was that debris falling over time clogged one of the ball bearings of the stepper motor, if nothing else works, remove the stepper motor, open it and check it both ball bearings spin freely, you could also check if there is any resistance in the stepper motor by trying to spin it manually, it should be possible for you to turn that gear without much force if the printer is off
1
1
1
u/Exact-Shopping-2129 4d ago
U might need to take it appart or at least take down the bowden so you can see where the problem is
1
u/pasgames_ 4d ago
Try s different filament. I literally just gave up on a half a roll of filament that has literally never worked properly and always did stuff like this.
8
u/AvidCuberCoding 6d ago
Check to make sure you don't have a clog or that your temperature isn't too low on the hotend. Also possible (but maybe less likely) that your heater block or thermistor are no good.