Ender 3v2 - Sprite Pro not extruding consistently - NEED HELP

Ender Series Creality Ender-3 V2
1

Hi All,

I have an ender 3 v2 purchased in 2020. Worked well - dozens of prints.
Upgrades included: Capricorn PTFE tube / Marlin firmware / inverted bed (printing on glass side) / New bed springs.
In 2024 upgraded to Sprite pro direct drive. This has worked for a couple of dozen prints, BUT now I have an issue with getting consistent extrusion.
The filament extrudes in dashed lines (see image), which makes me think there is an issue with the gears in the extruder.

IMG_6118.HEIC
IMG_6118.HEIC3024×4032 5.05 MB

Running this bed test:
Rectangular Spiral Z-Offset/Bed Level Test by TankerTech | Download free STL model | Printables.com

I tried:

There was filament stuck in the nozzle, which I removed

IMG_6110.HEIC
IMG_6110.HEIC3024×4032 2.92 MB

The gears on the direct drive did not look clean, but I’m not sure how to fix this :

IMG_6109.HEIC
IMG_6109.HEIC3024×4032 1.4 MB

**Is there a way to fix this? **
Or does Creality sell sprite pro gears as a spare part?

I checked the PTFE tube and re-installed the sprite pro.

Thinking maybe this was a filament issue I grabbed a roll of PLA that had been in a filament dryer (Sunlu S1) AND also printed correctly on my Prusa Mini+ but the result is the SAME.

With stock Ender 3V2 i’ve printed : ~140 designs

With the Sprite Pro direct drive i’ve printed : ~20 designs

I.e. the Sprite pro hasn’t seen a lots of printing.

Please advise the steps to resolve this Sprite pro extruding issue with my Ender 3.

Printer : Ender 3 v 2
Extruder : Sprite Pro
Firmware : Marlin 2.0.7.2
Slicer : PrusaSlicer 2.9.4
Filament : PLA Polyalchemy Elixir purple (last tried).
Nozzle : brass 0.4mm

Image of printer prior to sprite pro upgrade here:
Ender 3 Halo LED light XL by aussieinkguy | Download free STL model | Printables.com

2

You can clean the extruder gears with a small brush, (old Toothbrush maybe).
I would replace the nozzle, just to be sure.
Did you check the nozzle height to the bed?

1 Like
3

I would also suggest to check the tension of the extruder gears. If there’s a spring tensioner, it may need to adjust it so the gear grip well on the filament.
If you can replace the gears, give it a try. I replaced mine once, and everything is cool since then.
Then check if your printer Over- extrudes or Under Extrudes.

4

Hi liagasg,

I’ve tried adjusting the tensioner screw (last night) no change to print.

If you can replace the gears, give it a try. I replaced mine once, and everything is cool since then.
Then check if your printer Over- extrudes or Under Extrudes.

Where do you purchase new gears from? Please supply a link to where these can be purchased.

I will try cleaning the gears as recommended by Ben_Engelen.

Concerned that my $100 ‘upgrade’ has worked for 20 prints and now needs servicing.

I’ll also try replacing the nozzle, maybe the supplied one has failed.

Thanks

5

Check this link for the gears

i ve replaced extruder and nozzle after 2 years, and have print more than 30 rolls of fillament