What is that screeching sound from my Otari MX5050 2HD

[Keyster]

I rescued this deck from a local radio station. When I first fired it up, the capstan motor was pretty well frozen - but some of that hypodermic needle oil fixed that. I just had the heads re-lapped, so the unit sounds great. But now, the left side supply reel -- about 50% of the time -- emits a nasty screech (and at its worst, it can really add tension). The service manual says there's nothing to lubricate in the motors -- but I suspect that's the problem. Or the bearings? Or does it need a new motor? I'm not a machine-inclined guy -- is there anything a mechanically-challenged person can do? Thanks!

[vinyldavid]

I got that on my Teac's left reel motor, too......just not in play.

No ideas there.

[Keyster]

That's a drag! I was just reading your other thread. Sounds fixable -- you got some good advice.

This one works some of the time -- seems to depend on how much tape is on the reel -- torque and all that. It seems to just need a little extra stress to bring on the prob.

[vinyldavid]

YEah....I think that the tape I was using was bad......:- D

It's Maxell UD35-10.:tears:

I thought that Maxell DIDN'T shed!

[Brent71]

Brake sounds like it might be dragging.

[wiredbecker]

My Nak was doing this with an Alice Coltrane cassette. Screeching sound disappeared after swapping tapes.

[vincedog3]

Contact Otari for a service manual. They are here in California and their support is generally very good. WWW.OTARI.COM. Most Otari's shipped generally came with a service manual too. Yep, sounds like a brake is out of adjustment or a spring tensioner for it is bad or the solenoid might be suspect too. Great sounding machine. I miss my MX-5050 B-II. Good luck to you.

[Vintage TX]

Sounds like dry tape syndrom, what tapes are you using ?:scratch2:

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

With all tapes, before using them fast forward through them and rewind them before use. This eliminates much trouble. If the machine is still squeaking, you likely need servicing. You do need that service manual. Otari's are well written and useful. Good fortune.