I have exactly the same problem. My printer is an 8500, A909g. It was purchased in 9/10 as a replacement for any earlier model that died after 3 years of operation.
Did you ever get a resolution to the problem? I agree, repalcing the printheads at $130 is too close to buying a new printer. A maybe this time I should buy another manufacturer - a 3 year life is just not enough.