Leaking Mont Blanc

[bboot]

Greetings:

 

I have an MB fountain pen, standard fill not cartridge, that has the awkward habit of leaking so that the ferrule (I think that's what your fingers hold) has ink on it after having the cap on. The confusing part is that sometimes this does not happen and I may go days with a perfectly functioning pen, then this behavior will start again. I fill it according to MB instructions, expressing a few drops after the fill and turning the pen nib up to close the plunger.

 

What should I be doing to fix this frustrating issue.

 

BBoot

[CS388]

Hi bboot, welcome to FPN.

 

So, you think that the ink may be coming out of the nib and getting into the cap, then onto the section (the part your fingers grip)?

 

First, I would thoroughly rinse out the cap (just under a cold tap) and dry it out, then clean up the section and nib area (a wet/damp tissue will do this) and put it back together. The hope, here, is that you could see if it was coming from the nib by following an ink trail.

 

Another alternative is that it could be seeping from a join in the pen body (eg, where the section meets the barrel)(Depending on which model you have)

 

The worst scenario is a crack - but this sounds unlikely as the problem would be permanent and you wouldn't have some days free of inky fingers!

 

There are so many variables. Does the pen write very wet?

 

We need to know the model of your Montblanc - and a picture of the suspect area would help, too.

 

Post back your findings/information - and other members will chip in and help. It's a friendly forum and you should be able to sort out your problem here.

 

Cheers, CS

[piembi]

What model is it?

 

There are some MBs from the 1970s that are notorius for leaking ink - the way a vintge Aurora 88 is leaking, too.

 

If there is anything one can do to stop it, please let me know.

[soapytwist]

You need to let us know which model it is - then we may be able to diagnose. Photos always help too.

[safetyfast]

Waiting to see the answer myself as I have a 252 doing the same, and it's a fairly dry nib.

[bboot]

This is a 146. It is about twelve years old and had performed this way pretty much from the beginning.

 

Is there a way to check for cracks?

 

I will do the cleaning exercise.

 

would the pen behave differently depening on how full it is-would it be different when half full as opposed to recently filled?

 

What would you like a photograph of? Easy to do.

Thank you.

[CS388]

Excellent pen, one of my favourites.

 

Half full vs recently filled shouldn't make any difference to your problem.

 

You need to get your hands on a loupe (small powerful magnifier) and visually check for cracks.

Not sure about the year when they converted to one-piece barrels, but (I think) there used to be a join between the ink window and the section? If so, this is also a possible area for leaks.

 

This repair Q&A is the correct section for your question - BUT, you may find a better response by starting a new thread in the Montblanc forum, as there are some real experts there who may be familiar with your problem. Just ask the same question (mentioning that it is a 146) and if you include a photograph (of the area which inks your fingers), I'm sure you'll get a quick reply.

 

Good luck, CS

[soapytwist]

The most likely cause is a bad seal issue

 

 

The nib is held in a feed case that screws into the barrel. The feeder case is covered by an outer sleeve and this is the surface that your fingers hold. The pen is made in a similar fashion to the 149 (see photos in this thread HERE) except that the part of the barrel that is above the cap threads on the 149 is a separate part on the 146. Basically what normally happens is that the thread sealant used to seal the feed case to the barrel goes bad (brittle), and this is where leaks normally occur on these pens. You have two options:

 

1. Send it to MB who will repair it for a fee. MB are renowned for servicing sometimes to the point of transplanting the nib into a new pen and returning it, so if your pen has sentimental value, beware of this.

 

2. Buy or make a tool capable of unscrewing the feed case without damaging the nib, and re-seal the threads. Silicone bathroom sealant works well for this.