Extruding issue that I can't solve

Bambu Lab P Series Troubleshooting
1

I have a P1S with 1300 hours and two AMS’s.

I had a 7-hour print fail about halfway through last night. The head kept moving, but it had stopped extruding.

I cleaned the extruder, which is hardened and only has about 400 hours on it. Tried again, but it print failed again. This time, it laid down 3 or 4 layers and then stopped extruding.

I have a spare extruder - a third party hardened extruder with 75 hours on it that I keep as a backup. I put it in, but the same thing happened again.

I started to think maybe it was the buffer that wasn’t signaling the AMS for more filament. So I put the original hub back on - same thing.

I decided to try the other AMS just to see if it was an issue with the AMS or that particular slot - same failure.

It consistently starts the print, and the first layer or two look fine … then it stops and/or under extrudes in layers 4 or 5, or in a few cases, 20 - 30.

During this, the nozzle gets clogged a few times, but still fails after I clear it.

I try running the spool through the back but it still fails.

So I put the original nozzle on - unhardened with about 800 hours on it - and the prints runs just long enough for me to think that was it … and then starts to under-extrude spider webs.

So now I have replaced the entire hot end, bypassed the AMS units entirely, and it still starts the prints just fine, but eventually stops extruding.

This is with Bambu PLA that has printed fine for half a roll.

I am completely lost as to what to try next. The hardened extruder and nozzle I was using have less than 400 hours on them and the only thing I have run through this printer is PLA.

2

What you are describing sounds like either a heat creep issue or a travelling clog.

For the former, do you keep track of the chamber temp? With my X1, I target 35-39°C with PLA, below 35°C if there are many retracts in the print and/or ironing.

For the latter, do a few hot hex wrench cold pulls (or swap in a new hotend), clean the extruder and snip off the filament tip (check for residue and extruder grinding) before trying again.

https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/x1/troubleshooting/extruder-clog

Of course, it could also be much simpler. Out-of-tolerance filament widths (also check for circularity), dirt/dust/debris on the filament or in the PTFE’s and/or worn PTFE ends can lead to similar problems.

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3

Thank you for the reply!

The P1S doesn’t have a chamber temp sensor, so I haven’t monitored it. I could run a test with the door open to see if that helps.

For the clog theory, I did do a few cold pulls - as the nozzle was getting clogged by the extrusion failure. And in the process, I did replace both the extruder and the nozzle - although not with brand new ones yet.

What I probably should have done, was pay attention to whether the extruder was slipping or skipping when it fails. I might try that next.

4

It was printing for a while before it failed for the first time. After that point, it failed very quickly with each experiment you ran.

I don’t think this is a hot-end issue. I don’t think it’s heat creep.

I think it’s either your extruder stepper motor or maybe something going on with the heater (but the printer should recognize a heater issue so I’m leaning towards stepper motor. Especially because there have been some posts from people who’s steppers died).

The failure happened after 7 hours of run time. Something broke at that point. After that, failure happens again as soon as the bad component has warmed up. Which doesn’t take but a few layers of printing.

Classic symptom of an electrical problem.

5

Well, it happened at some point during what was going to be a 7 hour print - probably about 5 hours in.

This was where it failed the first time:

image
image1222×823 99.3 KB

Since then, they are all failing much earlier:

image
image1091×686 78.6 KB

And yeah, that’s what I am wondering too. I read about few failures of the extruder motor. That’s why I think I might mark my extruder gear so that I see better whether it is skipping or slipping.

If it is a failing stepper motor, is that a warrantied item? Should I contact Bambu support for it?

6

Always contact BL, use a ticket.

If it is in warranty, the parts should be warranted for their normal use during that period. You do not say which country you are from, so I will tell you what happens in the U.K.

If you purchased a product from a company, that product must function for a minimum period without failure, including all parts. Any part denoted as a consumable or designed to be replaced by the consumer must be explained clearly before purchase.

You have had it longer than 30 days, so a swap is out of the question.

If you have had the printer for fewer than 6 months, the company must be able to explain why you are at fault to deny the warranty.

If you have had the printer for more than 6 months, you must explain why you believe the problem occurred as their fault for it to be included within the warranty.

You have up to 6 years to make the claim, although waiting is not smart.

I have heard mostly good things about them honouring warranties.

7

I’m in the US … we get squat … lol

But I will contact them and create a ticket.

2 Likes
8

Clean your extruder gears. Sounds like its slipping.

Unless you actually already replaced them. It kind of read like you replaced the nozzle assembly, not the extruder assy. If I was wrong, then, my bad. lol

9

It did turn out to be heat creep.

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10

Welcome back, we almost looped the sun!

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11

Holding back…

Holding back…

Sorry, can’t hold it any longer:

:joy: :rofl: :joy: :heart:

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12

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