Can't Get Rid Of The Air Gap In My 145's Cartridge Adapter, Plus A Few Questions About The Adapter

[Monty145]

1. Every time I draw ink into the cartridge adapter, there's a dead space. I've heard the cure for this is to empty and refill it a few times, but I fail to see what that's going to do and it doesn't work anyway. Then as I'm using the pen, the ink starts to run dry and then stops after about a day's use. Opening it up reveals the air gap has moved towards the nib and is between the nib and the ink, so it has to be purged, but then it happens again and has to be repeated about once a day. If the air is at the nib end, no matter how I turn the adapter, the ink and air stay at their respectve ends of the inside of the adapter. Could this be the ink? Should that ink flow freely in the adapter cylinder? This all, btw, concerns a new, authenticated 145.

2. I have two MB cartridge adapters, both of which suffer from the same problem as above. One came with the authenticated pen, the other is of possibly questionable provenance. The one that might be questionable has a tiny plastic ball in it, the authenticated one does not. So what is that, why is it there, and why is it not there in the authenticated one? Other than that they are identical.

FWIW, I find that cartridge adapter either way to be a pain in the patootie and have already ordered and am waiting on a package of name brand MB cartridges to show up. I am really hoping this is not a problem with the cartridges as well. Thank you!

[meiers]

An air bubble should not be a problem. If you have many little air bubbles, the converter will feed ink and air to the nib. Converters are throw-away items that cannot be repaired. I do not care for them personally.

 

I would try cartridges in your pen and see what happens. If your pen performs well with them, you may consider using your 145 as a cartridge-pen or purchase a replacement converter.

Edited August 22, 2018 by meiers

[Chrissy]

I think if an authentic Montblanc converter had anything inside to help against the formation of air bubbles or air locks, it would be a small spring.

[Monty145]

That makes sense, only cartridges have no springs or beads in them.

[CS388]

The tiny plastic ball is an agitator - intended to prevent the very problem you describe! Other converters may have springs in them, to perform the same function.

 

I can't think why your converters are behaving this way? The air should naturally go to the highest point. Of course, it can get trapped (hence the agitators) - but the natural movement of the pen should be enough to release it?

 

You say it is a new 145? Then, I'd try flushing the section/nib/feed a few times, just to make sure there is no 'manufacturing debris' in there which is preventing the natural aspiration (you can simply hold it under a running tap). Or take it back to the boutique and explain the problem. Staff are (as a rule) usually helpful and if there is a problem with the converter, they will probably replace it with a new one. If it's a problem with the pen, it may be fixable at the counter - or it may have to go off to a service centre.

 

Good luck.

[Chrissy]

Some cartridges have beads inside. I believe Montblanc cartridges might have them.

[meiers]

They do.

[Monty145]

Ok, good advice all around. Just going to wait until i get my MB name brand cartridges in the mail. If the problem of uneven of occasionally weak ink flow persists, then i'll know it's the pen.

 

One problem might be that the ink i'm using (not made by MB, but it's certainly NOT india ink) might be not viscous enough. If that's the problem, tbe cartridges will remedy it.

Edited August 24, 2018 by Monty145

[meiers]

Looking forward to hearing from you again soon. Good luck.

[CS388]

One problem might be that the ink i'm using (not made by MB, but it's certainly NOT india ink) might be not viscous enough. If that's the problem, tbe cartridges will remedy it.

 

Yup. Old, thick ink could cause the behaviour you have described.

Did you try a few inks in the conveter(s)?

 

International standard cartridges also fit this pen.

They're widely available and very economical (plastic waste aside!).

Keep us posted.

 

Good luck.

[Monty145]

No, just that one ink. It's definitely nothing fancy. I may just clean the converter out with water, remove it and idle the pen until the cartridges arrive. From what it sounds like, it"s the ink.

[CS388]

No, just that one ink. It's definitely nothing fancy. I may just clean the converter out with water, remove it and idle the pen until the cartridges arrive. From what it sounds like, it"s the ink.

 

Possibly. And, while you're waiting, give the whole front end a good flush out with water.