Just Got A 146 And A Potential Problem?

[Kevan]

I've posted this in a couple of threads already but perhaps I needed to ask the question in a topic.

 

I just got my first MB, a 146 which the seller advertised as "near mint", "like new", "just filled once to test nib size." He estimated it as a 1991 model. It has a serial number and W-GERMANY on the clip ring. The 14k two-tone nib is very clean and shiny, the body looks new. The clip shows a little dullness from age but otherwise it looks like if it was used, it wasn't used much and it was well cared for. Aside from a stiff-to-turn piston knob, everything appears fine.

 

I filled it with ink and it writes reasonably well, but my fingers keep getting smudged with ink when I touch the section. At first I thought it was ink caught in the threads, but that's not the case. There's no ink LEAK that I can detect, but it seems that the lip at the very end of the section, nearest the nib, is where the problem originates.

 

Ink smudges, here and there. On my fingertip, on a napkin or cloth. Just a smudge, very light, not dark at all, but it keeps happening. The ink inside is black, so the smudges appear grey on the napkins or tissue. Is this a sealant issue from an older pen? I just got this thing and I don't want to ALREADY send it off for maintenance, especially since it seems in very good condition otherwise.

 

Is it a symptom of a bigger problem?

 

Sorry for no pics...I have a crappy phone camera and bad light. But if pics are required, I'll see what I can do.

 

Thanks!

[PerryJ]

Have you tried soaking and cleaning all the old ink out really good? And flushed the pen til it's clear water then, try it agin with ink and see if the "new ink" seeps out ?

Edited December 18, 2014 by PerryJ

[JLS1]

If you clean (or cleaned) off all of the ink from the lip at the end of the section, does the ink reappear in this area after a period of time? Also, does the ink appear/reappear only when you are using the pen or when it's just sitting there, not being used?

 

FWIW, I have heard that the internal sealant can dry out over time but I am still wondering if there's not a crack in the section/threads. Try this: take a paper towel, wet it, and then wrap it around the threads & section and leave the pen sitting on its side (i.e., loosely capped) for a while. Then unwrap the towel and see if there's any ink-marks on it. (You can also do this with blue-tack) This might indicate where the source of the leak is...

[CS388]

JLS gives a good suggestion. I'd try it. And thoroughly dry off all current ink, including inside the cap.

 

I have a 146 which has started exhibiting the same behaviour. The ink seems to pool around the inside of the collar.

Haven't quite worked out why, yet - but will keep you posted of any findings.

I simply cannot stand a pen which inks my fingers. Puts fountain pens back into the dark ages. I'm not a person who won't lend my pen to others (at work, friends etc) to take a note, or write down a number etc. If they end up with ink on their fingers (or clothing) - it's a nightmare. So, I understand your need to fix this! A leaking pen is a useless pen, in my book.

 

Even though you only have a phone camera, pictures are an invaluable aid to understanding a problem. EG a nib/feed which is not pushed fully home could cause the symptoms you describe, but we'd need to see it.

 

I hope your seller was honest and forthright - but even so, terms like 'just used once' can be misleading.

 

As you seem aware, your pen can be returned to MB for a service.

But, if you want to get into it yourself, you may benefit from posting this topic in the Repairs Q&A forum.

 

Keep us informed.

Good luck

[Kevan]

The seller had thousands of positive feedbacks, was based in Berlin, and sold mostly vintage Pelikans from what I can tell, which is why I took a chance on Ebay. The pen looks almost new. I was happy....until the smudges showed up. But yeah, it could've had a problem beforehand that he didn't disclose. Or maybe he didn't notice it himself, if while testing it he didn't put his fingers close enough to the feed. Some people hold their pens higher than I do.

 

Since he's located in Germay, a return would be annoying, especially this time of year. But if there is a problem that needs fixing, I will surely let him know and possibly get Ebay involved.

 

And yes, after I received the pen and examined it, before I filled it with ink, I flushed it 4 times with water. The water came out totally clear each time. No residual ink at all.

 

I've carefully wrapped it in napkins and paper towels...the source of the smudges is definitely not the threads....it's the furthermost lip of the section, closest to the nib and feed. It could be the feed not pushed in far enough, as you say. I will try to take pictures but I can't get my phone camera to focus. Nevertheless, I'll see what I can do.

 

Thank you again for your responses.

 

It's a pity that this has happened. This definitely does look like a near-mint pen, or at least a user-grade that wasn't used much at all. The smudges are very minor...but still, they should not be happening. **sigh**

[Brian C]

Clean the inside of the cap out really well also, just in case there is some ink up in there getting on the section when you cap it.

[JLS1]

Sorry to hear that the ink is still leaking in that one spot. FWIW, I would get in touch with the seller and explain the situation to him/her. If they are a experienced seller (and it sounds like they are) and you want to keep the pen, maybe they could refund part of your purchase to cover the cost of sending the pen into MB for service.

[Chrissy]

Those lips right at the edge of the section can crumble and break. The one on my Solitaire just sheared off inside the cap and fell out as a complete ring.

 

It might need to go to Mb for a service.

 

I agree that a leaking pen is a useless pen, so it's going to need fixing.

[CS388]

Ah, good. Sounds like one of the reputable sellers?

 

Contact him first. Just explain that it's leaking.

There are some excellent sellers who want to keep their reputation intact and their customers happy.

Might get sorted in an instant.

 

Good luck.

[I like mango cheesecake]

Level 1 service recommended. Had the same problem with my146 and got it fixed

[Jeff_H]

I purchased a used 146 recently that exhibited the exact same issue. After a bit of research I deducted that the sealant used to seal the nib threads by Mont Blanc had dried up. I found a you tube link detailing how to remove the nib. Now, opening your Mont Blanc is a very personal decision that you must make. The pen is no longer under warranty, as mine being from 91-93 was not.

 

I simply grasped the nib with a barely damp soft cotton cloth. The video I found indicated you could use a soft rubber jar opener as well, if the nib is still tightly held. For me, my nib unscrewed right out (counter clockwise) and the pink OEM sealant crumbled right out also..... and not much of it. I then simply cleaned the inside of the threads with warm water and a Q-Tip to make sure no old sealant remained. I applied a LIGHT coat of silicone grease to the threads on the nib, NOT inside the piston chamber. I had been given this silicone grease by a seller when I first started using fountain pens, for eyedropper pens. I carefully screwed the nib back in, tightening until the point of the feed was centered on the slit and the nib secure.

 

For me, the problem was completely solved. Now, my original intent was for this to be a temporary fix until I could send it for MB service after the first of the year. It's worked so well that really isn't necessary, but I will still likely send it in, just so it's up to factory specs. So, hopefully this is something you can look at as an option, so you can use you pen now. Again, its a personal choice and you may choose not to try this, which is fine also.

Edited December 19, 2014 by Jeff_H

[Kevan]

I've decided that I'm going to start by fully cleaning the inside of the cap out (there seems to be some dried ink in there...blue and black...and so far I've only filled the pen with MB black so the blue must be from the previous user/whoever owned the pen in the early 90's. Then I'll contact the seller and see if he'll at least give me a partial refund. He's got 3000+ positive feedbacks so I don't anticipate a problem.

 

I'll probably send the pen in for level 1 maintenance after the Christmas period is finished. It would be worth it to get that stiff piston knob fixed/replaced too, I think. I'm not brave enough to open the pen and re-seat the nib and feed, even though I've seen it done on videos and I do have silicone grease.

[Kevan]

Reached out to the seller, told him about the problem, asked for a partial refund so I could get it serviced.

 

sorry for any problem.
if there is a problem, i am sure i can easily resolve it.
i cleaned the pen and maybe unscrewed the nib.
possibly i did simly not rescrew well.
a montblanc service is very expensive.
i have a friend doing service for them.
i could ask him to help.
if you return the pen you will get full refund.
best regards,

 

*sigh* I've never shipped anything internationally in my life. I know you have to get a customs form from the post office, but I've already mailed one package off the other day and the line at the post office stretched around the building, as this is their busiest time of year. I'd rather not go back until the rush dies down. And I'm a bit ill right now anyway.

 

This is what I wanted to avoid. I don't WANT a full refund. Then pen isn't completely broken. I don't want to send it back to Germany.

 

Figures...out of all the pre-owned pens I have with no issues, the first time I get a Montblanc pen, I get it from Germany and of course there's an issue and I have to send it back. Wonderful.

[crescentfiller]

Kevan, I think you are making much ado about very little, or nothing. It is an old pen. The seller offered to repair it or give you a full refund. Others have told you how to repair it yourself. You say you "don't WANT a full refund." What, exactly, do you want? Do you want the seller to pay for a level one service by Montblanc? That, too, will mean sending it off. It will also likely mean the replacement of some or all original parts (I sent in a vintage 149 and the only bit that wasn't replaced was the nib!).

Filling out a customs form is really not difficult: your name and address; the recipient's name and address; the value; the date; your signature. That's it! I would, however, suggest you send it registered, for a whopping $15, so that you have a tracking number. The postal worker will fill out the registered forms for you. And, the turnaround time will likely be the same, or shorter, than if you sent it to Texas.

Or, just turn the nib/feed in a bit, as the seller mentioned, and see it that works!

 

Good luck!

[Kevan]

^ It's mainly the inconvenience of doing it this time of year with the rush and the lines that's providing my annoyance. I'll decide in the next day what to do. I'll likely take him up on his offer.

 

A request for partial refund for a pen that, at the end of the day, wasn't as described in the listing, is fair in my mind when I could've easily opened up a case. Once a seller of antiques on eBay myself, I want to spare sellers that trouble if possible.

 

But his offer for a full refund is also fair.

 

Thanks to all for your help.

[CS388]

i cleaned the pen and maybe unscrewed the nib.

possibly i did simly not rescrew well.

 

And there's the problem/solution, right there.

(To the best of my guessing abilities, with the information and symptoms described)

 

Which country are you in?

A local repair person may be able to fix this in a flash.

 

I understand your reluctance to send it away - but that may end up being the best course of action, in the circumstances.

 

On the other hand, if you choose the full refund, you could get another 146 pretty quickly. There are MANY good 146's for sale out there. You were unlucky to get a pen that requires work.

 

Good luck

[Mister Mont Blanc]

I'm sorry you're having this problem, however it is an easily fixed one. If the seller said they worked on the nib unit, it sounds like two things may have happened. When they unscrewed the nib unit, the seal would've been broken and they may or may not have resealed the threads when screwing everything back together. So if a sealant wasn't used then that would explain the leak and the nib unit should easily unscrew due to the lack of sealant and then one can be used. Or a sealant was used and maybe the nib unit just wasn't screwed in tight enough in which case you could easily do that on your own to see if it fixes the problem. Jeff_H provided the method for doing this without a tool although it isn't recommended to use this method often because damage to the nib or feed could occur.

I'm an over worrier and you sound much like me when it comes to shipping and returning lol. I personally wouldn't return it for this issue. You could send it to MB as you mentioned to have EVERYTHING made up to par and maybe even get new resin parts! Once you figure out what to do and get it done, it'll have been easier than you thought and you'll be much happier I hope!

[Kevan]

Well ain't this funny....I think I just fixed the problem myself, using the method Jeff_H outlined, except I didn't take the nib/feed out of the assembly.

 

First, I emptied the pen. Then, using a wet cloth, I grabbed the nib and carefully tried to unscrew it. I heard an alarming click sound. Thinking I had broken something, I cursing my stupidity for even trying this, I removed the cloth and the nib and feed HAD moved. Just a bit, but they rotated slightly. Then I grabbed it again and did the opposite, this time pushing in slightly. Another alarming click. The nib was in its normal position when I removed the cloth.

 

I wiped everything down, flushed and refilled the pen....and no smudges. None.

 

I think I got lucky this time. And considering that I'm not generally someone who has luck, I'm going to take it. If it continues to write without issue, I'm going to call this a win. But I still might send it in for service after the holidays anyway. I'll see how I feel as I write till it's empty.

 

Time for a big sigh of relief.

[JLS1]

Well ain't this funny....I think I just fixed the problem myself, using the method Jeff_H outlined, except I didn't take the nib/feed out of the assembly.

 

First, I emptied the pen. Then, using a wet cloth, I grabbed the nib and carefully tried to unscrew it. I heard an alarming click sound. Thinking I had broken something, I cursing my stupidity for even trying this, I removed the cloth and the nib and feed HAD moved. Just a bit, but they rotated slightly. Then I grabbed it again and did the opposite, this time pushing in slightly. Another alarming click. The nib was in its normal position when I removed the cloth.

 

I wiped everything down, flushed and refilled the pen....and no smudges. None.

 

I think I got lucky this time. And considering that I'm not generally someone who has luck, I'm going to take it. If it continues to write without issue, I'm going to call this a win. But I still might send it in for service after the holidays anyway. I'll see how I feel as I write till it's empty.

 

Time for a big sigh of relief.

 

Nice job!

[Jeff_H]

Very nice work Kevan. I'm not familiar with all the inner workings and design of the MB, but now that you mention it I too heard the same click you did, although since I completely removed the nib and feed, I did not hear the same click when I reinstalled it. As long as your pen is not leaking you have ended up with the best possible solution short of having MB repair it. As you said, you may send it off at some future point, as I might with mine.

 

Enjoy your new 146. I hope it gives you many years enjoyment. You know, this is a funny hobby. When I started I told my wife I would never want a Mont Blanc, too much money for one pen, even used. I can buy 2-3 of my nice Sailor or Pilot pens for that kind of $$ I told her. Well, my 2nd MB 146 just arrived in the mail Thursday, a Solitaire Legrand B&W Douè. Go figure. At least crow tastes a bit like turkey.....

 

Again, enjoy the 146, they are fantastic pens.