<p>The nozzle on a Prusa i3, if a genuine Prusa, would be part of the E3Dv6 assembly and is removable. It's wise to heat the nozzle to 150°C or higher, and handle with the care necessary for something that hot. When loosened, be prepared for it to fall onto the surface below. A catching tin would be a good idea, at the very least.</p>

<p>Once removed, you can test that it's the nozzle that is clogged by pushing or extruding filament via the control panel to confirm that the rest of the system is clear.</p>

<p>Consider also to perform a <a href="https://rigid.ink/blogs/news/how-to-use-3d-printer-cleaning-filament" rel="noreferrer">nylon cleaning of the nozzle</a> before you perform the above disassembly. I've performed this process more than a few times and disagree with one aspect of the process. The process describes heating the nozzle to 250°C and forcing nylon filament into the hot end. I suggest doing so manually, not via the extruder controls, as it give you better feedback and control.</p>

<p>Once you've forced as much through as you can, allow the hot end to cool. Not included in the steps reference above is a part of the process that is semi-automated on my printer. Heat the nozzle to about 140-150°C and carefully and slowly pull the filament back out of the hot end. The above link suggests yanking it sharply. The article also includes a caution that doing so is brutal and could damage your machine. Carefully and slowly will not damage your machine. I have to use pliers to get sufficient grip on the nylon but that's a trivial aspect.</p>

<p>The nylon will come out with debris and previous color filament. Clip off the debris and perform the task again. Repeat until the nylon is clean and you have good flow through the nozzle.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/NdrUy.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/NdrUy.png" alt="nylon cleaning"></a></p>

<p>Acetone will not dissolve PLA filament. Extreme heat may carbonize the material in the nozzle and render it useless. The nylon cleaning method is nearly universally successful unless you have a physically damaged nozze.</p>

<p>There are kits to be purchased which are described as nylon cleaning kits, and include a small length of nylon filament and sometimes a cleaning drill. Using such a drill may damage the nozzle and is contraindicated. If you can afford to purchase a half-kilogram or full kilogram of nylon in the diameter specific to your printer, it will last quite some time. You can share segments with friends and/or members of your local makerspace and improve circumstances for many.</p>

<p>Nylon absorbs moisture more quickly than any other filament, making storage for extended periods challenging if you intend to print with nylon, but for cleaning, it matters little that there's moisture boiling out of it as you clean your nozzle. I've found the little bubbles in the extruded nylon to be a sign that I'm getting clean nylon through the nozzle and can expect good results.</p>

<p>In the worst case I've had thus far, I've had to push nylon four times to clear a clogged nozzle. I had some overheated PVA support material jam the nozzle and once cleared, everything flowed properly.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-31T02:34:27.653Z
That's a very well articulated answer!  One aspect to also consider is the actual value of the nozzle.  With a bit of research, you can source a 10 pack of 0.4 mm brass nozzles for around 0.2 € each (less than a quarter USD).  By contrast, any roll of nylon filament will cost in excess to 10 € at the very best, which equal 50 nozzles.  If you consider that nozzles have a limited lifespan and are to be replaced time to time anyway, I'd argue that buying an ad-hoc nylon filament won't ever repay for itself.  Unless you also print with nylon or use an [Olsson](http://olssonruby.com/), of course!
mac
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-31T07:17:25.767Z
Thanks for the positive comment. One additional note to attach to the process is that cleaning the nozzle with nylon means one does not have to recalibrate the Z-axis, while removing and re-installing the nozzle will. That does not invalidate your cost assessment in the slightest.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-01T22:40:56.747Z
thanks for the info, Now I'm not afraid of nozzle clogs.
Max
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-01T22:56:53.163Z
wait a minute but what if the whole extruder is clogged?
Max
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-01T23:33:43.737Z
if you remove the nozzle the heater module should also easily separate. Once that is off, all that remains is the heat break (finned section) with a threaded portion. Those pieces are uniform diameter and should not clog. If you have a PTFE inner sleeve, it could be damaged and should be replaced, but that is rare.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-22T09:14:27.337Z
If you are printing at higher temperatures or have an accidental increase in temperature PTFE lining can get damaged.
Cem Kalyoncu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-31T02:08:30.883Z
2017-12-31T02:08:30.883Z
fred_dot_u
<p>I'm getting a Prusa i3 with a replaceable nozzle. </p>

<p>If I have a nozzle clog, can I easily get rid of it by simply:</p>

<ul>
<li>replacing the nozzle, or;</li>
<li>removing it and submerging it in acetone, or;</li>
<li>removing it and cleaning it with a blowtorch, or;</li>
<li>removing it and cleaning it. </li>
</ul>

<p><em>Or</em> can the clog get so bad that the whole extruder has to be cleaned, and if so how could I clean it? </p>

<extruder><nozzle>
If I have a nozzle clog, can I easily get rid of it by simply replacing the nozzle?
Max
# If I have a nozzle clog, can I easily get rid of it by simply replacing the nozzle?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-12-30)

I'm getting a Prusa i3 with a replaceable nozzle.

If I have a nozzle clog, can I easily get rid of it by simply:

* replacing the nozzle, or;
* removing it and submerging it in acetone, or;
* removing it and cleaning it with a blowtorch, or;
* removing it and cleaning it.

*Or* can the clog get so bad that the whole extruder has to be cleaned, and if so how could I clean it?

**Tags:** extruder, nozzle


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-12-31. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

The nozzle on a Prusa i3, if a genuine Prusa, would be part of the E3Dv6 assembly and is removable. It's wise to heat the nozzle to 150°C or higher, and handle with the care necessary for something that hot. When loosened, be prepared for it to fall onto the surface below. A catching tin would be a good idea, at the very least.

Once removed, you can test that it's the nozzle that is clogged by pushing or extruding filament via the control panel to confirm that the rest of the system is clear.

Consider also to perform a [nylon cleaning of the nozzle](https://rigid.ink/blogs/news/how-to-use-3d-printer-cleaning-filament) before you perform the above disassembly. I've performed this process more than a few times and disagree with one aspect of the process. The process describes heating the nozzle to 250°C and forcing nylon filament into the hot end. I suggest doing so manually, not via the extruder controls, as it give you better feedback and control.

Once you've forced as much through as you can, allow the hot end to cool. Not included in the steps reference above is a part of the process that is semi-automated on my printer. Heat the nozzle to about 140-150°C and carefully and slowly pull the filament back out of the hot end. The above link suggests yanking it sharply. The article also includes a caution that doing so is brutal and could damage your machine. Carefully and slowly will not damage your machine. I have to use pliers to get sufficient grip on the nylon but that's a trivial aspect.

The nylon will come out with debris and previous color filament. Clip off the debris and perform the task again. Repeat until the nylon is clean and you have good flow through the nozzle.

[![nylon cleaning](https://i.sstatic.net/NdrUy.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/NdrUy.png)

Acetone will not dissolve PLA filament. Extreme heat may carbonize the material in the nozzle and render it useless. The nylon cleaning method is nearly universally successful unless you have a physically damaged nozze.

There are kits to be purchased which are described as nylon cleaning kits, and include a small length of nylon filament and sometimes a cleaning drill. Using such a drill may damage the nozzle and is contraindicated. If you can afford to purchase a half-kilogram or full kilogram of nylon in the diameter specific to your printer, it will last quite some time. You can share segments with friends and/or members of your local makerspace and improve circumstances for many.

Nylon absorbs moisture more quickly than any other filament, making storage for extended periods challenging if you intend to print with nylon, but for cleaning, it matters little that there's moisture boiling out of it as you clean your nozzle. I've found the little bubbles in the extruded nylon to be a sign that I'm getting clean nylon through the nozzle and can expect good results.

In the worst case I've had thus far, I've had to push nylon four times to clear a clogged nozzle. I had some overheated PVA support material jam the nozzle and once cleared, everything flowed properly.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: That's a very well articulated answer!  One aspect to also consider is the actual value of the nozzle.  With a bit of research, you can source a 10 pack of 0.4 mm brass nozzles for around 0.2 € each (less than a quarter USD).  By contrast, any roll of nylon filament will cost in excess to 10 € at the very best, which equal 50 nozzles.  If you consider that nozzles have a limited lifespan and are to be replaced time to time anyway, I'd argue that buying an ad-hoc nylon filament won't ever repay for itself.  Unless you also print with nylon or use an [Olsson](http://olssonruby.com/), of course!  
> **username_1**: Thanks for the positive comment. One additional note to attach to the process is that cleaning the nozzle with nylon means one does not have to recalibrate the Z-axis, while removing and re-installing the nozzle will. That does not invalidate your cost assessment in the slightest.  
> **username_0**: thanks for the info, Now I'm not afraid of nozzle clogs.  
> **username_0**: wait a minute but what if the whole extruder is clogged?  
> **username_1**: if you remove the nozzle the heater module should also easily separate. Once that is off, all that remains is the heat break (finned section) with a threaded portion. Those pieces are uniform diameter and should not clog. If you have a PTFE inner sleeve, it could be damaged and should be replaced, but that is rare.  
> **username_3**: If you are printing at higher temperatures or have an accidental increase in temperature PTFE lining can get damaged.  

---

