Montblanc 146 leak

[MartinTenbones]

I have a Montblanc 146 from the 80's

 

It has developed a leak around the nib.   I have attached a picture as to where.   

 

It is a slow one but persistent and leaves ink on my fingers.

 

I have it filled with water currently as I was attempting to see where it was coming from by letting it drip on to a paper towel but it isn't leaking enough to cause a drip.

 

The water though is enough to push ink out of the seam I have indicated in the photo. The red arrow points to a definite leak and the yellow to a possible however the red is showing much more ink creeping out.   

 

 

I'm wondering if I should apply Capt. Tolly's creeping crack glue to this seam after a good clean removing the ink that is still in that seam and a long dry time in some silica gel.

 

I have viewed it under a microscope and there is no obvious cracks that are visible.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and advice

[Nethermark]

Hi Martin,

good to hear there seem to be no cracks. However, you need to be certain where the leak is. And I hope it’s at the red arrow and not the yellow one. 
 

What I sometimes do when I suspect a crack but cannot see it, is to fill the pen with ink and hold some tissue where I suspect there is a crack or leak. It will typically show itself. One can also do it with water containing a bit of dishwashing detergent. 
 

if the leak is at the yellow arrow, it is likely to be a crack. If it is at the red arrow, maybe the section sealant needs replacement

[MartinTenbones]

OK, I have a wrench coming for the nib.   I'll get it all cleaned up and lubricate the piston then fill it and see what happens.  Then I'll go from there. 

[hari317]

get the wrench for the nib unit(case-feeder in MB terminology) as well.

dismantle the pen after heating the joints

clean everything out

you need the red MB sealant sold on ebay to reaseal the nib unit and gripping section

[mke]

On 4/14/2025 at 1:25 AM, MartinTenbones said:

letting it drip on to a paper towel but it isn't leaking enough to cause a drip.

 

After filling it with ink, wrap two separated wet paper tissues around the yellow area and the red area. An hour later or so, you will see it, I guess.

[MartinTenbones]

OK I will do that.   Thanks!