Problem With Aurora 88P

[LibertyPrime]

Hi there! I am here again to ask for your help. A couple of days ago I received my first vintage pen, an Aurora 88P with a fine nib, which writes beautifully and is quite smooth. When I first opened the package and uncapped the pen, I noticed there were some drops (like moisture) towards the tip. I didn't think it was important and everything else seemed in order. I filled the pen and tested it, wrote without issues. A couple of hours later I uncapped it and there was this moisture again, some drops of ink around the tip (I don't know how to call the process, would it be "condensation"?). The same thing happened several times, every time I uncapped the pen, there were these little drops of ink. A couple of days ago I was writing and the pen literally spat ink on the paper. It happened repeatedly so I've started to put it aside. I noticed the ink came from behind the nib (there's a space there) which is constantly wet, very wet. Is the pen missing some parts or something might be broken? I'll post some pictures here. I apologize for my lack of technical language, I'm new to the hobby and english is not my first language. Thanks

 

 

 

[praxim]

Replace the seal. You have air leaking past the current one, slowly. Uncapping drags a few more ink drops.

 

There are instructions about the place here. Basically, unscrew the section, eject the piston (a little prising may be needed after it is unscrewed), replace the three central washers with an o-ring (ID 4.0 CS 2.25), add a tiny bit of pure silicone grease to the o-ring and to the piston spindle, reassemble and you are good to go for years.

 

I have omitted elaborations of cleaning while it is apart. A competent pen mechanic will do all the above for you in no time. The pen is well worth it.

[LibertyPrime]

Replace the seal. You have air leaking past the current one, slowly. Uncapping drags a few more ink drops.

 

There are instructions about the place here. Basically, unscrew the section, eject the piston (a little prising may be needed after it is unscrewed), replace the three central washers with an o-ring (ID 4.0 CS 2.25), add a tiny bit of pure silicone grease to the o-ring and to the piston spindle, reassemble and you are good to go for years.

 

I have omitted elaborations of cleaning while it is apart. A competent pen mechanic will do all the above for you in no time. The pen is well worth it.

Thanks a lot. I really like the pen, it's an excellent writer

[BamaPen]

I realize that you may not want to do the repair yourself, but it may be interesting to you to see how one was repaired for me. The person who repaired my 88k took pictures at every step of the way and added written descriptions as well. You can see the entire process in a post on my site. Here's the link:

 

https://cigarboxpenstorage.wordpress.com/2017/02/16/my-aurora-88k/

[praxim]

Those photographs give an excellent overview. However, it should not be necessary to open the piston at the back merely to replace the seal. I have also found that a single o-ring between the two outer old washers seals very well without too much friction.

[BamaPen]

Those photographs give an excellent overview. However, it should not be necessary to open the piston at the back merely to replace the seal. I have also found that a single o-ring between the two outer old washers seals very well without too much friction.

 

I agree that the seal can be replaced without opening the back end, but in the case of my pen, there was an issue that required careful handling and he felt that removing the piston completely was the safer route. I only offered the OP the link so that he could see the insides in all their detail.

 

By the way, I think that the correct O-rings are available from David Nishimura online.

Edited June 27, 2019 by BamaPen

[praxim]

No contention from me. As I wrote, an excellent overview. Yes, the o-rings can be hard to find, and expensive if buying from overseas.

[LibertyPrime]

Thanks to both of you. I'll try to find someone near to help me solve the problem, otherwise I may have to do it myself