Hi there,
I do this all the time, so I thought hey I could take a few photos for you! It’s quite easy once you’ve done it, but there are a few things to remember while replacing that tube. So here is how I do it.
Tools you will need:
1) A sharp knife or box cutter, using scissors will pinch the new tube and is not advisable.
2) 9mm socket or wrench. I prefer a deep socket simply because it gives me room to hold the aluminum block.
3) 4mm PTFE tube. Amazon.com
4) Slip-joint pliers (water-pump pliers / small) or a small adjustable wrench. This is to hold the aluminum block from twisting.
Step 1: Heat up the nozzle and remove filament.
Step 2: Turn off the preheat.
Step 3: Carefully grab the aluminum block with you pliers or wrench. Carefully because there are heating tube wires and thermistor wires back there that we don’t want to twist, break or pinch. Get in there and have a good look first for pliers placement.
Step 4: Attach your 9mm socket or wrench to the nozzle and remove slowly and carefully. Because the end should still be fairly warm, this should be nearly effortless.
Step 5: Remove the nozzle and expose the end of the PTFE tube, unless it came out with the nozzle.
Step 6: Match up EXACTLY PTFE tube and cut to length with the knife, remembering that scissors can make a mess of your new tube. You don’t want any pinches in your new tube at all. These have to be exact or you wont be able to tighten up your nozzle properly when installing and potentially making the nozzle ends uneven between the extruders (this ends up in disaster 9/10).
Step 7: Now is a good time to replace the nozzle or clean the old one out. Clean it out using your pliers and a lighter or small micro torch, I heat them up and gently tap the ash out and use a small pick to clean the inside out. Let it cool before the next step.
Step 8: Slide the new PTFE tube into the nozzle and work backwards. Sometimes I find it easier to heat the extruder back up but only to 60°C, just enough to make installation easy.
Make sure not to over-tighten the nozzle, it came out easy and should just be hand tight not make a face tight. Also, please be careful of the heating tube and thermistor wires, they are super delicate and break very easily.
You should be all set, hope this helps!
Chris
