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Ink Leak In Sheaffer Imperial Barrel

Eric H

By Eric H
in Repair Q&A

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Eric H

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I recently purchased a Sheaffer Imperial from eBay, made some time in the 1970s and never used. It is my first pen that uses a sac filling mechanism, so I was quite interested when I received it. Being the curious person that I am, I twisted a little bit the metal case thing that houses the sack. I don't know what I expected to happen. I guess I wanted to see if the ink sac and metal house could be removed like cartridges and converters can, but only after I tried to twist it did I think to myself that doing so might undo some sort of seal, or maybe rip the rubber (is that what ink sacs are made from?). Anyway, I am occasionally finding the ink sac and metal case covered in ink droplets when I take the plastic barrel off, and I am wondering if I created an ink leak into the barrel when I foolishly tried to twist the ink sac out. -_-

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hari317

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Anyway, I am occasionally finding the ink sac and metal case covered in ink droplets when I take the plastic barrel off, and I am wondering if I created an ink leak into the barrel when I foolishly tried to twist the ink sac out. -_-

Clean the innards thoroughly, if the leak still persists in use, the sac is shot, no other explanation for the ink inside barrel.

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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Mukhtar New

Mukhtar

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@hari317 Is the converter replaceable as the ink sac in my Sheaffer Imperial 440 (I believe) is torn? It leaks ink into the barrel but the pen writes so wet that I’m eager to repair it. Thanks for advice. 

A941BBDB-1B8F-4DFA-92A1-039708F9B575.jpeg

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Ron Z Museum Piece

Ron Z

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The black end converters would have a latex sac, which is likely reaching or has reached the end of it's life.  This explains the flooding. You can pull the plug and resac with a #16 latex sac, or if you wish a #16 PVC sac.  While the plug is out flatten the points where the casing was staked.  After reassembly, you can stake them again with a center punch to keep the plug from pulling out again.

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Mukhtar New

Mukhtar

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Thank you Ron. I am unable to pull the plug off to reach the sac. I fear it can’t be removed. Or maybe it’s jammed. 

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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On 6/18/2021 at 12:50 AM, Mukhtar said:

@hari317 Is the converter replaceable as the ink sac in my Sheaffer Imperial 440 (I believe) is torn? It leaks ink into the barrel but the pen writes so wet that I’m eager to repair it. Thanks for advice. 

A941BBDB-1B8F-4DFA-92A1-039708F9B575.jpeg

The converter is replaceable. Simply buy a new twist piston type sheaffer converter. It will fit your pen. The converter can also be repaired by resaccing it. 

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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Mukhtar New

Mukhtar

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Thank you. Is the converter supposed to come off if pulled down? I’ve tried (quite hard) but it wouldn’t budge. If I can get it off, I might try to get a replacement converter. 

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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5 hours ago, Mukhtar said:

Thank you. Is the converter supposed to come off if pulled down? I’ve tried (quite hard) but it wouldn’t budge. If I can get it off, I might try to get a replacement converter. 

453A40C3-37F6-42E0-8B8A-B3FCC78B5620.jpeg.dd91cb22e53a4217bc92b843111f16f2.jpeg

 

Grip Point A firmly. Pull off the part marked B in a twisting & pulling motion. Part B is thd converter. 

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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Mukhtar New

Mukhtar

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Thank you, @hari317, @Ron Z. I was able to remove the converter with a little heat. Downside is I have a crack running along the side of the plastic part of the section. I hope ink does not leak through it, will it? Also, a Sheaffer piston converter should work with this pen, yes?

 

1068915409_SheafferImperial440Diassembled20062021.thumb.jpg.bed3cc1709abd7fab09ce0d7ac81f61e.jpg

 

IMG_5706(Edited).thumb.jpg.37ecd627f06905af1a04327f5e761b68.jpg

 

Thanks in advance!

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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8 minutes ago, Mukhtar said:

Thank you, @hari317, @Ron Z. I was able to remove the converter with a little heat. Downside is I have a crack running along the side of the plastic part of the section. I hope ink does not leak through it, will it? Also, a Sheaffer piston converter should work with this pen, yes?

 

1068915409_SheafferImperial440Diassembled20062021.thumb.jpg.bed3cc1709abd7fab09ce0d7ac81f61e.jpg

 

IMG_5706(Edited).thumb.jpg.37ecd627f06905af1a04327f5e761b68.jpg

 

Thanks in advance!

The plastic part holding the nib is called the shell. A cracked shell is bad news. Ink might leak.  Yes a modern sheaffer piston converter will fit this pen. 

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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Mukhtar New

Mukhtar

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Thank you for the guidance, @hari317. I seem to have irreparable damage to the pen shell. I will fit the converter. If it works, and there is no leakage, great.

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