Waterman Charleston Leaks Like A Sieve

October 10, 2017

Folks, I'm wondering if someone might have a solution to my problem. I have a Waterman Charleston that I purchased new around 2005. Life got busy and most of my pens sat in the pen box for the better part of the last decade. This one, unfortunately, was left filled with ink.

A few weeks ago I took it a part and set about cleaning it out. It cleaned up relatively nicely (it was actually one of the easiest to clean out.) Unfortunately now it leaks terribly. At first I thought it was just the converter, but even with an ink cartridge it leaks from exactly the same spot. I'm attaching a picture because its hard to describe exactly where it appears to be leaking from.

October 10, 2017

I know nowt about the Charleston but I suggest/assume there to be a seal (compound or gasket) at that location which has failed. With similar sections I would gently heat the brass with hot water or hair dryer to soften any compound thus allowing the joint to be undone. Once apart you can assess the situation.

October 14, 2017

I just had the same situation in my Bexley. Was an easy problem to diagnose, but I had to use a loupe to do it. Pull out the converter and inspect the bottom seal for a crack -- the spot where it pushes into the section. Mine had a small one, but it was big enough to eliminate the air tightness. Check that. If that's the answer, it is like a $5 fix and that beauty will be working again good as new.