Small Purple (rubber band type) Belt

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Epson Workforce 435

Not a lot of info, just that I purchased it (brand new) in the later part of 2012.

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Shenandoah @shenandoah

Rep: 16

1

Posted: Jan 23, 2026

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Small Purple (rubber band type) Belt

EPSON WORKFORCE 435 PRINTER.

First, and foremost. I am looking for "human" answers. Preferable someone who knows a bit about printers. Not a human, asking AIs for answers. Trust me, when I tell you, they are utterly confused about this belt. The following were all the names provided by various AIs.

1. CR Transmission Belt, 2. Carriage Timing Belt, 3. Belt, Slip Paper Feed, 4. Slip Belt, 5. Timing Belt, 6. Pump Motor Belt, 7. Pump Drive Belt, 8. Carriage Drive Belt, 9. PF (Paper Feed) Encoder Belt, 10. PF (Paper Feed) Drive Belt. 11. PF Motor Belt, 12. Scanner Drive Belt

One of them, may very well be the name of this belt, but I just don't care. I just want to know what it's function is, and where it 'GOES".

Now, while trouble shooting my printer, I found a PURPLE BELT, sitting inside the carriage. But from whence it came, I do not know.

I had multiple issues while trying to change my ink cartridges. During which, the belt appeared.

1. I got an incompatible ink error

2. An error, that I was told 'indicated a paper jam. Which was ludicrous, because there was no paper in the rack at all.

3. It stopped reading the ink cartridges, all together.

4. Some ink, under where the ink casing rests, so I blotted it dry.

5. I tried to run it again a few times.

That is when I moved the ink carriage to check for more ink, and there it was.

It was obviously attached somewhere, because of the shape. The belt had a distinct shape (e.g. a larger-to-smaller pulley ratio). Meaning, it was attached to a larger and a smaller pulley. (in between, it seemed that it went 'under' something.) With a little wear, but not broken/ cracked.

Before you go there, THIS belt is obviously NOT the belt that runs the entire width of the printer (which has grooves). MY PURPLE BELT HAS NO GROOVES.

My Belt, is approx. 4 inch long, 1/4 inch wide, and thin, just like a thicker rubber band.

What stumps me, is that all the the pulleys "that I can see', have no gaps in between the gears, for a belt to have slipped off. So, what I need to know is, where it goes.

Also, all instruction directed to a 'side panel' that comes off. Umm NO! On MY printer. The whole outer casing has to be removed, in order to get the the inner right side, where the pulleys are. And even then, access it hindered.

If you know the function of this belt, and WHERE it goes on my printer, then I would appreciate a reply.

If you do not, then please just pass this one by. Not trying to be rude, just exhausted from dealing with baffled AIs. My printer is in pieces, and I am wishing I still had the brain of a 50 year old.

Cheers

Answer this question I have this problem too

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2 Comments:

is it totally flat or does it have groves on one side? it sounds like it might be a piece of belt. also ill add in the parts diagram here incase you see something that looks more like what you're asking about. https://compassmicro.com/media/wysiwyg/d...

Jan 24, 2026 by JRock

JRock. Thank you for your reply. I am sure that I made it clear that it is not the one with grooves. I also mentioned that it was NOT broken. Meaning the belt is intact.

1. " It was not broken. I have tried to ask many AI, but they are all idiots. It is NOT the belt that runs the length of the printer, which has grooves"

2. It was not broken.

Cheers, Shenandoah

Jan 24, 2026 by Shenandoah

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2 Answers

is it totally flat or does it have groves on one side? it sounds like it might be a piece of belt. also ill add in the parts diagram here incase you see something that looks more like what you're asking about. https://compassmicro.com/media/wysiwyg/d... — JRock
JRock. Thank you for your reply. I am sure that I made it clear that it is not the one with grooves. I also mentioned that it was NOT broken. Meaning the belt is intact.

1. " It was not broken. I have tried to ask many AI, but they are all idiots. It is NOT the belt that runs the length of the printer, which has grooves"

2. It was not broken.

Cheers, Shenandoah — Shenandoah

bill @ruggb Rep: 7.4k 5 6 1 · Answer 1 · 2026-01-24T15:27:17-07:00

Shenandoah - I agree with your assessment if AI. Especially Copilt. It will run you in circles, double talk, then only apologize if you challenge it.

That belt is related to the paper feed mechanism. This is the best I could come up with - and it came from AI, but it sounds reasonable.

Replacing the carriage timing belt on an Epson WorkForce 435 involves disassembling the scanner unit and outer casing to access the internal carriage assembly

. A replacement belt, compatible with several XP and Workforce models, is available online for roughly $12–$13. Key steps include removing screws, lifting the scanner unit, and properly tensioning the new belt.

Preparation and Disassembly

Safety First: Turn off the printer, unplug it, and remove all paper trays.
Remove Housing: Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to remove screws from the back and under the scanner unit.
Detach Scanner: Lift the scanner unit by releasing the tabs on the right side.
Access Mechanism: Remove the printer cover, taking note of the location of cables for the main board and motor.

Belt Replacement

Locate the Belt: The carriage timing belt runs horizontally, connecting the motor to the print head carriage.
Remove Old Belt: Release the tensioner and slide the old belt off the motor pulley and carriage assembly.
Install New Belt: Loop the new belt (compatible with XP-435/440/452, etc.) around the pulley and attach it securely to the carriage.
Tensioning: Ensure the belt is properly tensioned to prevent carriage errors, but not so tight that it strains the motor.

Reassembly

Realign Parts: Reattach the front pitch guard, ensuring it lies flat.
Reassemble Units: Reconnect the scanner unit and replace the outer casing screws.
Test: Power on the printer to confirm the carriage moves freely and the paper feeds correctly.

If paper feed issues persist, they are often caused by dirty or worn feed rollers, which should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol or replaced.

Hello bill. Thank you for your reply. Your AI's response was both condescending, and incorrect. The belt it describes in an entirely different belt. Not to be rude, but I came here looking for human responses. I have had my fill of dealing with AIs over the past week. Trust me, when I say, the majority of AIs, do not have a clue (about much of anything).

:D Cheers. — Shenandoah

Havyn K. @havynk Rep: 229 6 · Answer 2 · 2026-01-25T20:19:02-07:00

Hey there, Shenandoah!

I've been looking at the diagrams for your printer here and watched a couple of different videos, including this one about Epson printer disassembly. After all of this....I'm still kind of at a loss for what exactly the belt could be for. I do, however, have a guess.

I believe the belt may be used to help drive the paper feed mechanism on your printer. Given that your printer was giving a paper jam error before that, it would make sense. However, the gears that drive the rollers for the paper feed mechanisms require a toothed belt, which I know yours isn't, so that assumption may not be correct. So, to answer a couple of questions and hopefully track down where this guy goes, I would like you to test a couple of things:

Does your printer still work properly?
If it gives an error, what is the error?
Could you please add a picture of the belt? You can use this guide, which shows you how to add photos.

Hope we can get this figured out, best of luck. Cheers!

Epson Workforce 435

Small Purple (rubber band type) Belt

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