So I was using a custom noodlers mix in my 149 and after about three weeks I had to refill the pen. When I went to refill it the piston was very tight especially on the up stroke(piston going back to draw in ink). I flushed the pen big time and the piston started to work just like brand new again, I then decided I would only use MB brand ink. I filled the pen with MB black and everything worked great untill about 2 weeks later when I needed to refill. Same thing happened, the piston was tight again(not quite as bad though). I flushed heavily and when flushing noticed that there was a little bit of bubbles and water getting past the piston. After I flushed the pen this time I've let it sit to dry for 2 days and now the bubbles are gone and the piston works perfectly. What the heck is going on with my $700 pen (bought in canada at a much inflated price). Has anyone else experience this before?

yes this happend to my Bach, and I just send it back to Germany to correct the problem.

I think it was the ink you were using, maybe it clogged up something or dried up the pathway of the piston I dunno but this is why MB say you should only use their ink I also bought a 149 not too long ago for USD 750 I am surprised you used anything but MB ink on it bro

While I'm a Noodler's fan, it's my general rule not to use ink mixes I made in piston fillers.

The mfr. knows the chemical interactions within their inks; I don't.

So what should I do?

Perhaps it simply needs a dab of silicon grease inside the barrel. After flushing it seems to move more freely again so really, it doesn't sound like a major problem at all. Irritating, yes, but not likely a catastrophic piston failure.

If you are in Canada, you might want to send a PM to SMG, who resides in Canada and has worked on MANY of my pens (including an Mb 146). He could probably have that thing performing better than new in short order... Personally, I wouldn't worry about the warranty repair and sending it back and forth to Germany and all that BS... If you want to go that route (warranty, Germany, etc), then take it to your local boutique where you bought it and drop it off for repair. IMO, you'll get faster, better, more thorough service by sending it to one of the repair experts on the board rather than dicking around with Mb warranty (Potty Mouth). It has been my past experience with their service that they seem to think that simply because the pen has Montblanc stamped on it, and a white star, that the user is always at fault and should accept the pen as it is because of some aura of godliness that surrounds the pen... your mileage may vary, but I have never been impressed with their service. I'm sure others have had a more favorable experience. But one way or another, the pens probably only needs a bit of maintenance.

Good luck,
Dave

My Virginia Woolf has always had a sticky-piston problem, which is mildly irritating, and I've been telling myself for a long time that I'll send it to Richard Binder to look at/fix. Along the lines of what Inkquest said, I'd rather my own pen repair expert look at it than send it to MB for repair.

Generally speaking, it's a good idea to find out first if the pen repairer will repair MB pens, and if they'll work on your model and whatever problem it's having.

I've had good service from Montblanc, though I've only had to have my 149 repaired twice in the last 30 years, and it went to Germany directly the first time. It took five weeks' turnaround time, and had its barrel, piston seal, and nib/feed collar replaced, total cost $55 and the store staff was pleasant and treated me well when I dropped it off and picked it up.