Chromatography Forum

Does anybody have a definitive procedure on cleaning the quadrupoles on a HP5972 MSD? I know it's not recommended but we have been having tuning problems (poor ramps) and high mass issues (extremely unstable widths even after cleaning the source) and seemed to be focused on the quads as the issue. We used to have a service engineer from way back who, I believe, implemented a thorough soap and water procedure to clean them, but I don't know if that was the whole procedure. If anybody has a procedure that's workable, I'd appreciate it.

Call Alpha Omega 800-842-5742. They can tell you how to do it. I have never done it but had a similar sounding problem that you are having. I ended up having to change the top board to fix the problem.

Acrolein,

Think about completely replacing your source rather than just cleaning. I have had this eliminate poor tune problems for me in the past (bought a used instrument and had to buy a new source, worked fine after that.)

Have you dipped the quads?

I have cleaned 5970 quads by dipping the whole thing in solvent. Would certainly NOT recommend if for the 71's or later.

Start by dipping the quads. Then try swapping sources. Then try swapping quads to another top board as per sllimbri's advice (make sure to note polarity.)

Feel free to contact me through web page if you want further information.

Best regards.

I believe these rods are ceramic so you really can't misalign them. I have cleaned these type of rods and so long as you are very careful and have exhausted all other avenues why not.

I found that the inside surfaces on all four faces of the rods can get these small burns and this possible cause the problems you are describing. I have used the aluminum oxide abrasive to clean this. Also I have done this with the older 5970 instrument that have the steel hyperbolic rods and I have cleaned these burn marks with abrasive as well. Just don't drop it.