Problem Filling An Aurora Optima

[Iank]

Hi all - new to the forum and relatively new to fountain pens so grateful for any help

 

I have recently purchased an Aurora Optima in silver finish and I'm having some problems filling it.

 

When I try to fill it using the instructed method, its not taking in much ink. When I fully unscrew the piston in an ink bottle and then close it in a clockwise direction until it locks, it only takes in just enough ink to cover the small display window near the feed. Feels like the spindle is not extending properly - the piston seal is certainly not visible in the window next to the feed at any point.

Does anyone have any ideas for a quick fix/easy repair?

I'm in London and I purchased it from US so a quick trip back to the shop is not an option.

Thanks all

Ian.

[Chrissy]

The nib unit in an Aurora Optima is fairly easily unscrewed. Therefore what I would do is to ensure it's properly cleaned and flushed.

 

Unscrew the piston knob until it stops, then unscrew the nib unit. You might need to soak the nib unit in warm water first. Soak the pen, up to the top of the section, in a small glass of warm water to which a small amount of washing up liquid detergent has been added. Clean the water occasionally, and operate the piston up and down in the water.

 

Then once the water is clean operate the piston to see if it moves all of the way down the barrel and all of the way up the barrel. If it doesn't then the pen might need to be checked over by an expert who can remove and fix the piston.

[fabri00]

Fill the pen once.

Then keep the pen with nib upright and move the piston till you don't see the nib becoming wet by the ink.

At this point fill it again from the ink bottle.

[Uncial]

If you screw the piston nob on an Optima you should see a milky white plastic piston head come down into the window. If this doesn't happen there is a fault.

[sansenri]

the filling issue sounds somewhat odd.

Sometimes some pens do not fill properly unless you really dip all the nib and beyond inside the ink.

The Aurora is a resin pen so dipping the section in the ink will not harm it, just wipe it clean afterwards.

Make an attempt to see if this methods helps filling the pen properly.

If not, I would say there might be an issue with the pen, however I am sure that in London there must be some shop selling Aurora pens that will be at least pleased to take a look at your pen and see if there is anything wrong with it.

Worst case the shop may send it to Italy for maintenance, but that is still closer than sending it to US.

Ask the shop's advise, it is unlikely they will charge you for Aurora's maintenance if you still have proof of purchase.

Worth asking anyway.

 

PS also check if the nib is screwed in properly in the section (I.e. Chrissy's advice above).

Edited July 30, 2018 by sansenri

[praxim]

Uncial's advice should be the first test; simplest, and important.

[Iank]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful comments.

 

Have checked as suggested and the piston head is not coming down at all so that's clearly the problem.

 

thanks.