Leaking Sailor Converters

[Tanzanite]

I have used two converters in my Sailor Pro Gear and they have both leaked in the back end. The first one only a little but today the second converter was completely empty. The ink had also leaked out of the pen body at the ring and made a mess in my penroll. The silicon grease in the converters look dry.

Has anyone experienced this problem? I have more Sailor pens which I use with converters with no problem.

[alexander_k]

Same here with the converter that came with my KOP. Having repaired quite a few converters before, I tried everything I could but to no avail. Another converter did the trick and still works file, as do all other Sailor converters I have.

[Tanzanite]

Did you try adding silicon grease?

[NedC]

I honestly haven't had any problems with Sailor converters but they are easy to disassemble and lube and seal with pure silicone grease. I'd recommend giving that a try.

[Lyander0012]

This is a common issue with Sailor converters, it seems. I suppose that the lack of friction from the piston seal's rubbing right up against the inner walls of the reservoir add to the smoothness of operation, but it does mean that I have to regularly disassemble my converter and give it a thorough cleaning, especially when I'm changing inks. For the record: yes, it's a problem that my own unit seems to experience a lot.

 

Silicone grease does help, especially when applying liberally around the seal itself and that white, cog-shaped bit towards the end. You may have to reapply it every other month, though, depending on the kind of grease you use.

 

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin

Edited October 9, 2014 by Lyander0012

[Tanzanite]

Thank you! I hoped this was uncommon but unfortunately not. I will try using silicone grease.

[Joe in Seattle]

I have had three sailor pens over the years, and have used a couple of them extensively without ever having a problem with the converter.

[Tanzanite]

I have now discovered that the good and the bad conveters differ in the construction of the round part inside the converter that should be seeled with silicone. It is thicker in the good converters and therefore seels better. I have not checked all of them yet though. The new ones are bad.

[dornblaser]

Yes. I have purchased two 1911's in the last few months and two convertors leaked. One very badly. I ordered replacement converters and I think that I am set.

[Scribblesoften]

I recently bought a Pro Gear that came with a converter that leaked out the back end. I am using cartridges right now but will have to order another converter. Is there a known source for the less leaky type?

Edited October 22, 2014 by Scribblesoften

[hpk90]

I have had the same problem, but it seemed like the back end of the converter came unscrewed. If I tightened it, the leaking stopped. Love my 1911s though...

[dornblaser]

After replacing the converter with a new one a while back, making sure that it was screwed together tightly, I went to use the same pen today and it had been leaking badly. I may pick up some silicon grease but I no longer trust that pen.

Edited October 28, 2014 by dornblaser

[shuuemura]

I have a converter where ink regularly makes it past the piston during filling. Today I dismantled it and gave it a thorough cleaning. Following which, I applied some silicone grease to the piston and the white thing where the piston shaft goes through. The difference is night and day - the converter no longer leaks. A bonus is that ink no longer clings on to the side of the converter, which had probably been coated with a layer of silicone grease as the piston moved through it.

[dornblaser]

Any particular brand/type of silicone grease?

[shuuemura]

Any particular brand/type of silicone grease?

 

I use a tub which I bought from Richard Binder's site. (no affiliations etc.) I imagine that pure, unadulterated 100% silicone grease would be what you want. The trouble is that many silicone greases may have additional undesired ingredients.

[dornblaser]

Thanks.

[ashokdad]

Just purchased a (bright Orange) Pro Gear, and brand new converter leaked. Disassembled and greased piston ring with silicone last night. Leaked again!

 

Ruined one shirt so far.

 

Supportive dealer from whom I purchased pen has promised a new converter, tested by North American distributor, to confirm that it is not leaking. After waiting a week for new converter, I tried the silicone grease on existing converter last night. I am sorry I was not more patient or just used a cartridge. ... very annoying for such an expensive pen made of simple materials! I love the (H-M) nib and the bright color, but hate the leaking!

 

I have th same problem with a 1911 Black Luster purchased in mid 2014. I bought a new converter but have not tried it yet.

 

Edited March 19, 2015 by ashokdad

[theolu]

I've had the same issue, ink behind the piston. I took apart the converter and plan to apply some silicon grease next time I ink up a Sailor.

 

I've got two kinds of Silicon grease and am wondering which would work best. One I bought from the Andersons for eyedropper conversions. It's thicker, like hair gel. The other came with my TWSBI and is considerably thinner. Any ideas on which would be better suited for this job?

[Lam1]

IMO the Sailor converters are poorly designed, since they tend to unscrew when filling - and that was the cause of the leakage for me (never had this issue with the other brands I use: Platinum, Pilot and Parker). So, I only use my Sailor with cartridges and from now on the only Sailors I will buy are the Realos.

[Tinjapan]

I have been using Sailor pens for a coupke of years now and have never had this problem until recently. I currently have seven Sailor pens inked. One of my newest pens, purchased earlier this year, has a leaky converter. It leaked as those talked about above. I took it apart, cleaned and reassembled it ensuring that everything was screwed together nice and tight. Just rechecked it and it is leaking again. Seems like a redesign or manufacturing problem with the new converters. I will try to let Sailor know through one of their sales points here in Tokyo.