This cassette deck was stored in an attic for many years. Unfortunately no longer worked when tried, couldn’t open door etc. Saw pinch roller at the bottom of the box and luckily the retaining pin was floating around inside the unit.
A quick look at the mechanism confirmed worst fears – the belts had reverted back to goo (apparently insufficient/incorrect chemicals during vulcanisation process?)
The pinch roller had hardened and the inner plastic bushing seems to have dissolved itself!
So two new belts and pinch rollers ordered, as well as a replacement gear that cracks (arrggghghhg the goo on the pulley behind!):
More gooey belt, kept its shape around this motor shaft pulley!:
This has to be one of the most vile substances known to mankind 😖😂 – it seems to be a bit like soft road tar, sticky, black and the slightest microscopic bit will turn anything black including cleaning swabs, so truly takes ages to clean up with plenty of solvent and IPA, the trick is to remove the bulk of it first.
After cleaning:
The black on the central cam gear is black grease that was used, not belt remnant, so this was left.
New belts and bits arrived:
Noticed a little excessive take up torque so resistor mod added to motor to limit a little:
Found the tape detection switches didn’t work properly (oxidised) meaning the unit didn’t think a tape was in there when it was etc. Finger covers are quite fragile so needed care to gain access:
These were cleaned with a bit of 1200 grit wet+dry paper doused in Deoxit D100L until full continuity was reached. The deck then was tested against specifications
A quick spruce-up of the case and refit the front door and returned to customer to enjoy listening to all old tapes again!