Glad you didn't murder it, and that it will be getting fixed soon. But if you want to come to my grotty gutter, you have to bring gummy bears, or i won't let you in.
Will be really interesting to know what the problem was. The first time I cleaned my cm-c, I noticed what looked like some sort of red sealer around the head, and was worried that I'd disturbed it, but it seems fine. I was going to ask if you get any build up of paint around the packing seal. I had a day when my micron didn't want to play, and knew the nozzle etc was clean, but then I noticed a line of paint on the needle where the packing screw sat. Cleaned it adjusted the screw, and it worked perfectly. I can only think it was affecting how the paint got drawn up to the nozzle???? who knows, but it did affect the brush. I know you said you cleaned it, but maybe if there was some wear?
Anyhoo, hope whatever it is gets sorted, and you are re-united soon