Mb 149 Piston Stuck

[pen tom]

I have a Montblanc 149 from about 1980 era. It has the plastic piston rod that is visible when the blind cap is in the extended position.

 

The last time I cleaned it, I stored it with the blind cap in the extended position. So, the piston would have been closest to the nib. I was going to ink it up yesterday and I could not get the piston to move. The blind cap has a bit of motion, maybe 1/2 of a turn and then feels like it is stuck. I didn't want to force it, fearing that I would break something.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Edited January 5, 2018 by pen tom

[meiers]

Removing the piston will likely result in breaking the spindle.

Edited January 5, 2018 by meiers

[meiers]

I suggest soaking the pen in lukewarm water overnight.

As a first step.

PATIENCE AND LUKEWARM WATER BATHS for your 149 are a good start.

Edited January 5, 2018 by meiers

[hari317]

If the pen was stored with the piston extended. And the piston really is stuck. The best approach would be to remove the filler unit if you have the tools and the acumen.

 

I feel the piston might not be stuck. It is just in a zone of higher friction. 1/2 turn of play in the knob is a design feature. You can try to gently withdraw the piston by applying a steady torque with your fingers on the knob. Once it moves slightly it will usually then move normally.

 

In any case this indicates your piston seal needs some lubrication. So invest in the tools or make your own.

 

Good luck!

Edited January 6, 2018 by hari317

[Chrissy]

I suggest soaking the pen in lukewarm water overnight.

As a first step.

PATIENCE AND LUKEWARM WATER BATHS for your 149 are a good start.

 

I would do this first, soaking the whole of the section up to the screw threads.

 

If the pen was stored with the piston extended. And the piston really is stuck. The best approach would be to remove the filler unit if you have the tools and the acumen.

 

I feel the piston might not be stuck. It is just in a zone of higher friction. 1/2 turn of play in the knob is a design feature. You can try to gently withdraw the piston by applying a steady torque with your fingers on the knob. Once it moves slightly it will usually then move normally.

 

In any case this indicates your piston seal needs some lubrication. So invest in the tools or make your own.

 

Good luck!

 

 

Then after soaking it overnight I would do this.

 

If the piston doesn't work after this I would send it to Montblanc for a service.

 

Also, don't store your Montblanc piston fillers with their piston cones screwed out. It allows the spindle to dry out so it's no longer lubricated. Montblanc never store any with their piston cones screwed out.

[fountainbel]

When first screwing the nib unit out you could assist the initial piston retraction stroke by pushing with a pin on the piston through the section .

Once the piston is retracted you could also apply some silicone grease in front of the retracted piston.

Francis

[pen tom]

I suggest soaking the pen in lukewarm water overnight.

As a first step.

PATIENCE AND LUKEWARM WATER BATHS for your 149 are a good start.

 

Thank you very much meiers. I tried putting the pen into warm water to soak and after a few hours I had success. The piston moved.

I soaked the entire pen because I had not yet read Chrissy's suggestion to soak up to the section. So hopefully water did not get in where it should not be.

 

I am going to look for information concerning greasing the piston. I would like to know how these pens come apart.

[meiers]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/290071-lubricating-the-piston-on-a-meisterstuck-149/

 

Work carefully. The spindle is fragile... and I have broken two while learning to do this.

Edited January 6, 2018 by meiers

[Chrissy]

 

Thank you very much meiers. I tried putting the pen into warm water to soak and after a few hours I had success. The piston moved.

I soaked the entire pen because I had not yet read Chrissy's suggestion to soak up to the section. So hopefully water did not get in where it should not be.

 

I am going to look for information concerning greasing the piston. I would like to know how these pens come apart.

 

You will first need a piston removal tool. I haven't seen one for sale in a while.

[siamackz]

I feel the piston might not be stuck. It is just in a zone of higher friction. 1/2 turn of play in the knob is a design feature. You can try to gently withdraw the piston by applying a steady torque with your fingers on the knob. Once it moves slightly it will usually then move normally.

 

In any case this indicates your piston seal needs some lubrication. So invest in the tools or make your own.

 

Good luck!

Ive experienced this with several of my vintage MBs that are stored. It just needs a little help to start moving, no big deal

[niksch]

 

Also, don't store your Montblanc piston fillers with their piston cones screwed out. It allows the spindle to dry out so it's no longer lubricated.

 

The spindle rod won't dry out. It's plastic, and so is the sleeve of the piston it fits into. And, for what it's worth, silicon lube does not dry out, and the spindle is not what causes the problem the OP has.

 

What dries out is the remnant ink around the piston seal, regardless of whether it's extended or not, and that remnant ink makes the seal "stick" to the barrel walls. Hari is spot on, what needs the lube is the piston seal.

[niksch]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/290071-lubricating-the-piston-on-a-meisterstuck-149/

 

Work carefully. The spindle is fragile... and I have broken two while learning to do this.

 

Sadly, this is true.

[Inkling13]

 

Sadly, this is true.

I have seen rods made of PEEK and brass, I wonder if those would offer any structural advantage?

[meiers]

Yes. But they add some weight to the pen.

Edited February 2, 2018 by meiers

[niksch]

Not much weight Matt. BUT, one needs to be able to switch the plastic rod for the brass one, and that can be a chore.

[FredRydr]

Niksch, I bet you know more about those spindles than anyone this side of the Delaware.

[meiers]

Eric (and everyone) how do you avoid wrecking the spindle when you remove the piston?

Edited February 3, 2018 by meiers

[james3paris]

So invest in the tools or make your own.

 

Good luck!

Making your own tool seems like a risky venture. However, if you have a recommendation, I am open to it.

 

I am repeating this from another post, but it seems to fit here as well.

 

Tools for the 146 and 149. Refer to link below: Opinions on them? Experience with seller?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-146-149-Pelikan-M800-fountain-pen-piston-wrench-disassemble-tool-/263473979902?

[Inkling13]

I have made tools each time i needed to access my 146/149s all from paperclips. A bit of finess and you are good. $30 is a steep price for something i only needed once or twice every number of years.

[FredRydr]

Making your own tool seems like a risky venture. However, if you have a recommendation, I am open to it.

 

I am repeating this from another post, but it seems to fit here as well.

 

Tools for the 146 and 149. Refer to link below: Opinions on them? Experience with seller?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-146-149-Pelikan-M800-fountain-pen-piston-wrench-disassemble-tool-/263473979902?

 

For only $10, I'd risk it. You want a precise fit, so if it's sloppy when it arrives, shitcan it. (Edit: I see $18 to mail it from China and a review that says poor quality ) So, perhaps not.

 

 

 

Fountainbel used to make them. I wonder if he'd make a recommendation?

Edited February 3, 2018 by FredRydr