Canon pixma mp180/mp160 won't print

After reading the troubleshooting portion of my manual, I'm assuming that my ink absorber is full. How do you take care of that?? I have installed new ink, the maching is running okay (except for the not printing part!) It starts up fine (makes all the right noises) but won't feed the paper through the roller. We've had it over a year and not had a problem until now. Help..two teenagers with papers to write!