Leaking filament on top of heating block

[paultng1 0]

Hi,

I am a newbie. I have tried printing some sample prints. However, today I noticed liquid filament on top of the heating block during the printing process. What could be the cause? A plug or the heating block is not tight enough?

Thanks

paultng

 

[gr5 2,072]

Something wasn't tight enough. I recommend you ignore it as long as it isn't dripping on your print. After a lot of useage the PLA eventually turns brown and then black after repeated heating and should plug it's own leak for you without you having to do anything.

If it becomes a problem you can try to get your hand on a little bit (1 meter?) of ABS filament and print with that a bit which will seal up all the leaks. Or you could take it apart but be very careful - make sure it is very hot first and be gentle as it is easy to destroy brass - brass is a bit soft/weak.

 

[aaron 2]

I had this exact same problem. It was benign at first but eventually began to grow into such a lake that it would trickle down the side of the heating block and off of my hot end into the print which would mess it up in some situations. The easy fix for this with the old nozzle was to pump some ABS through it but with the newer version of the hot end, it is much easier. All you need to do is to heat the hot end to around 220 degrees Celsius, take two pairs of pliers, use one to grab the PEEK and the other to grab the block. Hold the block while you rotate the PEEK toward yourself until it is tight. But be careful! Brass is not very strong and I have seen many people snap their brass tube inside their heating block.

Anyway, I tightened mine just as I explained and not a drop has shown itself. Hope this helps. Good luck :wink:

 

[paultng1 0]

Thanks. I will try to tighten the PEEK to see if it works.

 

[aaron 2]

Has the leak stopped?

 

[johanw 0]

Picking up on an old thread .. I had the same problem, followed your advice, and it did indeed stop the leaking. Thanks!