proactively replace HP fuser?

In article ,
GMAN wrote:
In article , (Richard Kovalcik) wrote:
In article ,
Rev. G.G. Willikers wrote:
GMAN wrote:
In article ,
(Richard Kovalcik) wrote:

I have been using my Laserjet 5 since 1997 and have yet needed to change
anything but toner. I guess i have been lucky. But yeah, sounds like rollers
might help, but only if you have been having feed problems.

Using quality paper and keeping the interior mechanisms dust/toner free
goes a long way to extending longevity.
I worked for a major oil companies HQ, and they used nothing but
recycled paper in ALL of the printers and Xerox machines. What a
complete nightmare. The fibers not only jammed the rollers, but got into
every fan vent and heatsink in the place.

Note that the subject of the message included the word "proactively".
(Knock on wood), I'm having no real problems with this HP LaserJet
5000. It's working fine, but I was wondering what I should do. Are
there any horror stories of the fuser self-destructing and damaging
the printer? Like, you *DO* replace the timing chain on your car when
it says to, least the timing chain self destruct, the pistons go wild,
smash the valves, and saving $500 on a timing chain has now cost you
over $5k. But it sounds like my gut feel that I didn't need to
replace the fuser at 150k pages was correct.


The point i was getting at was that if there doesnt seem to be any problems
yet, I wouldnt sweat it. By the time your printer does die on you, You'll most
likely rather spend those few hundred bucks instead on a new Color Laser
Printer. They are rediculously low cost nowadays

Point taken, but I'm much more likely to spend several hundred dollars
or more on a used HP 8500 (or maybe 5500) class color LJ with the
duplexing, paper trays, 11x17 printing and so on that I've used to.
IMHO, the used HP tanks provide better value than the current low end
stuff they are producing.