What's Happened To My 51

[CS388]

Hello all

 

After a seeming lifetime of reliability, my 51 has suddenly started to misbehave.

It let out a blob of ink, when I was writing - then did it again, later in the day. When I got home, the section was covered in ink. Now, whenever I take the cap off, the section is inky?

 

It's 1950's Parker 51 Aeromatic - and it's worked solid and reliably for years. There have been no changes in any ink*, or usage, or temperatures, etc. - this behaviour seemed to start overnight. No signs of ink inside the barrel area - but I haven't had the hood off, yet.

 

Anyone recognise this?

All information and quick fixes welcome!

 

Thank you, CS

 

* Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black ink

 

 

 

[Uncial]

A split in the rubber inner of the aerometric bit?

[pen lady]

That would be where I'd check first too.

[Parker51]

Perhaps the breather tube has disconnected at its base and so it no longer functions so as to control "burping". They have been known to corrode over time and in your case of frequent use, over many, many years it may have happened.

[CS388]

Thank you, everyone, for replies.

 

I'll probably be taking it apart this evening, after work. I will post back with any findings.

 

Many thanks.

[joss]

I am intruiged by the circular groove that is present in the top of the section, 2 mm below the clutch ring.

[CS388]

I am intruiged by the circular groove that is present in the top of the section, 2 mm below the clutch ring.

Hello

 

The pen came in a job lot of 'parts pens'. Some of them had the wrong caps on. I suspect that such a mismatch has caused this circular scratch/groove. It's remarkably even, all around the pen. Too deep to polish out.

 

I had originally planned to do something about it, but the pen is such a good writer, I soon forgot about it.

It's an everyday workhorse pen - and it was only when you pointed it out that I remembered it was there!

 

Hoping to get it apart, tonight for examination etc.

It's a 1959 English Aerometric.

 

Thanks again for the replies. Much appreciated.

[FarmBoy]

Tell us when you discover there is an issue with the breather tube.

[CS388]

Tell us when you discover there is an issue with the breather tube.

 

 

Thanks.

The breather tube seems good, on a visual inspection and by blowing through it.

 

The O ring (at the top of the section) was mangled and inky. Everything else under the hood seemed good?

The metal sac cover is loose and can be easily turned, but it was dry and clean.

 

I cleaned it all up and borrowed a replacement O ring from another 51 and put it back together.

Did a water test and all was good, so filled it* and it behaved well.

I've been using it all day, without incident, so far.

 

It's early days and a repeat incident wouldn't surprise me, so I'm using it with caution, on unimportant stuff.

 

Thanks again for all your replies and valuable insights.

It's really useful, and heartwarming.

 

 

* Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz

[Parker51]

Good to hear and glad it wasn't the breather tube.

[hari317]

English 51s mostly have the plastic full length breather tube with the side hole. They rarely give trouble IME. V robust pens. Glad you could resolve the issue.

[CS388]

Hello again

 

Just to update: the pen has been working without fault, since this thread (almost a year).

 

Then, today, it started to misbehave again. Big blob of ink, without warning. (Ruined the crossword)

When I got back home, the section was inky, again.

So, maybe it wasn't the O ring, after all?

 

It's too late to look at tonight, but I'll try and get it apart tomorrow evening and report back.

It's not urgent, I have other pens - but, I'm intrigued. This is (has been) one of the most reliable pens I've known.

 

Thanks.

Stay safe, CS

[hari317]

Was the pen refilled immediately prior to the incident?

[eachan]

If it blobs, air is getting in where it shouldn't. I would suspect the sac. Those Pliglass sacs are very robust but like anything else they can fail.

[CS388]

Was the pen refilled immediately prior to the incident?

 

Hello Hari

 

No. It's used often, but a fill still lasts a long time. I'd guess it was about half full? Diamine BlueBlack (I think)

 

Thanks. Hope you are well.

 

If it blobs, air is getting in where it shouldn't. I would suspect the sac. Those Pliglass sacs are very robust but like anything else they can fail.

 

Thanks, eachan. I still haven't got round to taking it apart, But I will definitely check the sac, when I do.

In fact, I may have a spare/parts 51 in my box of bits, so (assuming I can find it) I could replace the sac, to eliminate it.

Thanks for reply. Much appreciated.