Original Parker 51 Ink Sac Foggy?

[kl122002]

I have several P51. One of them is in original, bought in 1950s and never used with any ink nor repaired. It has been sit for many years. The pens ink sac had became pale yellow with time but clearly visible to see the silvery tube inside.

Last night I flushed it with water for testing and everything was fine. I left it dried during midnight beside the window.

 

This morning the original pale yellow ink sac has become foggy or milky white inside. No mater how many time I flushed, it is still there. And it doesn't look clear anymore.

 

What has happened to the ink sac? Did I make something wrong ?

[FarmBoy]

There are some 51 PlyGlas sacs that instantly turn colors when exposed to anything ink like. I have never tried water but it stands to reason that these sacs would cloud when exposed to water as well.

 

Willing to bet the sac nipple is mushy if you open the pen and take off the sac.

 

Good news is the cloudy sac doesn't seem to cause problems.

[kl122002]

It is really sad to see it lost its transparent.

 

Is that mean the original Pli Glass sac has reached its time for replacement ?

This cloudy sac seems harder than my late 60s P51 that completed dyed.

Edited January 19, 2017 by kl122002

[kl122002]

I found some photos of the pen, before I tested the sac with water .

The sac was in pale yellow, clear and was able look inside

 

 

 

Sadly it becomes milky white / foggy after water

Edited January 21, 2017 by kl122002

[FarmBoy]

I doubt the sac needs to be replaced. Ink it and enjoy, most 51s no longer have a clear sac.

[mitto]

It is the moist from the water in there that makes it look foggy and cloudy. Let it dry and it would become as clear as before. Foggy or clear the sac would do its job of retaining ink. Just ink the pen and enjoy writing with it. This sac, most probably, would last for a few more decades.

Edited January 21, 2017 by mitto

[kl122002]

I have put some silicone desiccant with the pen and it seems more water vapor has been removed. But it still looks milky white.

And The sac gives me a slight bitter almond smell now ?

 

Another sac from a P51 (late 60s) that I frequently used is no longer clear anymore. It has been dyed into deep blue and look as if it was a rubber sac. But this one has no odour.

 

What exactly does this sac made of ? P51 ink sac seems having a very special chemical properties.