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Ender 3 Pro continual issues after initial successful prints - Updated

opalko

Hi folks, I have an Ender 3 Pro that I bought about a month ago. Stock machine. I have successfully printed using PLA and PETG filament initially.  I am using stock settings for PLA and PETG in Cura on a Linux machine for slicing.

The last thing I printed was a case, in PLA, for a transistor tester, one of those cheapee ones that work well. The outside of the case printed fine but the screw holders on the inside were a loose nest of filament that had no cohesion. They would just snap off with the touch of the finger. It would never hold screws.  So I tried printing the lower half again. This time the bottom layer did not even go down well. Tried again. This time even worse!

Ok after consulting different forums, I was first told my extrusion temp was too low - stock Cura setting is 200. I bumped it 210. Nope. Then I was told to clean the extruder nozzle, which I did. Nope. Then I was told to check the z step. So I went through the process of calculating that and adjusted it. No difference.

At this point I started over. I

- leveled bed again (still didn't work)

- cleaned nozzle again (still didn't work)

- tried different extraction settings (on/off, speed etc) (still didn't work)

Today I went back to the default settings and tried printing it one more time (and then a second and third attempt..). Now the skirt won't even lay down properly. Any guidance for what is going on or where to start (again) with this? I keep the PLA and PETG in the foil pouches they came in with dessicant but I don't have a dryer or use the oven before printing.

Here is a link to the photo album of first good prints and then the degradation over time to the last picture which is from today of the bottom of the tester case I am trying to print again.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PmBKJQojMPebxnpJ8

Thanks

Robert Opalko

  • in reply to opalko
    opalko said:
    PLA filament at nozzle temperature of 200-230°C

    Right, so at 215 there should be no issues of it not extruding due to temperature settings.

    it seems to be an intermittent problem where it clunks and under extrudes. So it’s probably not the filament.

    Sorry, this must be so frustrating for you. Seems to be par for the course with 3D printing, doesn’t it Stuck out tongue closed eyes 

    I’d hate to be that mechanic who replaces everything until it finally works, but I think if it were me I’d probably buy a new hot end setup (less than $20cad on Amazon for the complete assembly, with the tube already in place even), or take the time to pull the hot end apart completely like they show in those videos to make sure it’s all clean inside.

  • in reply to ntewinkel

    For the heck of it I just tried it at 220 and it did about 1/4 of the print and then turned into a spaghetti mess. Disappointed

    You're right; it's so inconsistent that it feels like I am chasing my tail around trying to figure out what is going on and getting nowhere. Slight smile I will look at getting a new hot end but wonder if this is just the nature of a $240 printer...works sometimes, but mostly doesn't! I'm tempted to buy the same filament you have and see how that works though...

    Anyway, you've spent way too much time helping me with this, so I won't keep pestering you and this forum. If I find a resolution I will certainly post an update.

    Thanks again!

    Robert Opalko

  • in reply to opalko

    No worries at all, happy to help, it’s all quite interesting and I’m learning a few things that might save me some future pain too.

    I do hope you’ll share your findings when you get it figured out!