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Cleaning the Primary Charge Roller (PCR) in Lexmark Laser Printers
In Lexmark printers (Optra S, Se, T61X, T62X, T63X, T52X and M41X only), the Primary Charge Roller
(PCR) should be cleaned every time the toner cartridge is replaced. It is a simple maintenance procedure that
will keep your printer producing clean and sharp copies. Wash your hands first or wear a pair of rubber
gloves. This will avoid contaminating the surface of the roller with oil or grease from your skin
In Lexmark printers, the PCR is located inside the printer housing at the top, rear of the printer. (In HP
printers, the PCR is located inside the toner cartridge and cannot be cleaned by the user). The PCR is about
300 mm long and 16 mm in diameter. It is a mid-brown, solid rubber roller with a metal axle running through
the core. The PCR serves to transfer an electric charge to the surface of the photoconductor drum located in
the toner cartridge. The PCR is in contact with the OPC drum as the drum turns and any loose deposits on
the PCR will be transferred to the drum. It may scratch the drum and/or produce defects in the printed output.
If any image defects occur in your printed output, the first step is to change the toner cartridge: this will solve
80% of such problems. If that does not work, clean the PCR: this may solve the problem of image defects and
produce a sharper image. In Lexmark printers, the brown rubber PCR gradually becomes coated with toner
and consequently develops a mid-grey appearance. The grey coating is normally well fixed to the rubber
roller and the roller needs to be scrubbed in order to remove it. If the coating on the roller has the appearance
of carbon black and it is not well bonded to the rubber roller or if the coating is sooty, it is highly likely that you
have a leaking toner cartridge. Replace it immediately to avoid expensive repairs to the fuser!
1.
Turn the printer off. Open the upper front door of the printer
by releasing the blue catch on the left hand side. Grasp the
toner cartridge by the hand grip. Use two hands to pull
equally on both sides. Pull upwards and outwards at an
angle of about 45 degrees. Do not try to pull the cartridge
straight out: lift upwards first to release the locking
mechanism or you may break the cartridge. Remove the
toner cartridge from the printer.
2.
Close the door about half way and look inside the printer
housing. The PCR moves up and down with the door of the
printer. Unless you half close the door, you will not be able
to see the PCR.
Identify a grey/brown coloured roller about 300mm long and
16mm in diameter that is mounted horizontally in the upper
rear of the housing. This is the PCR that you need to remove
from the printer and clean.
3.
Do not confuse the PCR with the transfer roller that is a
similar size. The arrow in the photo points to the PCR.
The transfer roller is mounted in the floor of the printer
housing. It is located in a U-shaped recess between
two black plastic panels. It is a cream coloured, foam
rubber roller that is usually covered with grey/black
toner. Some after-market rollers are black in colour. Do
not touch the transfer roller as you may contaminate its
surface with grease from your skin.
4.
Look at the mounting of the PCR inside the
printer. On the right hand side of the PCR, you
will see a black plastic mounting arm descending
from the top of the housing. The end of the PCR
axle is located in a small socket in the arm.
Identify the right-hand mounting arm as shown in
the picture. It usually has a white label with a
green arrow printed on it. The arm is springloaded
and can be gently pressed outwards
towards the side of the printer.
5.
Look at the mounting of the other end of the
PCR. You will also see a black plastic arm
descending from the top of the housing. The left
hand end of the PCR axle is located in a small
socket in this arm. Both mounting arms are
spring-loaded and can be gently pressed
outwards towards the sides of the printer.
Choose one end and press the arm outwards to
release the PCR. Extract the other end of the
PCR from its socket. Remove the PCR from the
printer.
6.
Clean the PCR by washing it under running
water. Use a clean, lint free cloth such as a Chux
cloth to scrub the surface of the roller to remove
all traces of grey toner. The roller will change
colour from grey/black to mid-brown. Dry the
roller well with a clean towel.
Re-install the PCR: Insert one end of the PCR
into the socket in one of the spring-loaded
mounting arms. Then press outwards on the
other spring-loaded mounting arm to insert the
other end of the PCR. Re-install the toner
cartridge. Print a test page.
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