Sony TC-399 idler slow engaging with captain

[Wanderingfree]

Hi Guys.  I have an interesting mechanical problem with my TC-399.  The rubber idler wheel takes a long time to engage with the Capstan you can see it slowly move in and eventually engage and also slow moving out when you stop.
It takes about six seconds to engage and drive the capstan, any ideas

[ppppenguin]

I don't know the specific machine but hardened grease is where I'd look. Presumably there's a solenoid and mechanical linkage pulling the idler. Look for signs of congealed grease on the moving parts. You may be able to clean them in situ with isopropyl alchohol, white spirit or petrol. Be aware that the latter 2 are very bad for anything made of rubber.

[Wanderingfree]

Thanks for that Jeffrey. It's a very mechanical deck the lever that operates the idler is free so it might be metal to metal grease within the lever mechanism.

[Murphyv310]

Very common to get hardened lubricant on these and many other tape decks and record autochanger.
Stripping the mechanism and relubricating will effect a cure and reduce the effort to go between modes etc.

[Wanderingfree]

Thanks Trevor and Jeffrey. You were right I tracked it down to metal on metal with grease gone stick so put some Morlytone grease on.
New belts cleaned the rubber idlers and all worked mechanically. Now to try and get some sound out of it.