Beocord 8000 problems after idler Replacement

[rjnicko93]

Hi all,

Can anyone help with this? Over Christmas I’ve been servicing and repairing my Beocord 8000 tape deck. I treated myself to some new idler wheels from Danish Sound Parts. The deck had always worked reasonably well until this past summer, when fast-forward started to slow to a snail’s pace before eventually stopping working altogether. From what I could find online, this strongly pointed towards worn idlers within the mechanism itself.

I’ve owned this deck since 2015 – it was actually the first piece of B&O kit I ever bought for myself. The other day I fully dismantled the transport and fitted thenew belts and idlers, but unfortunately it’s still not behaving quite right.

At the moment it plays and rewinds fine, but even after the idler replacement the mechanism still slows down during fast forward, and when playing the audio is now noticeably more wobbly too.

If I press my finger onto the microswitch at the top of that transport that detects a tape being present and then press play, I can actually see the left take-up spool stuttering very slightly, almost as if something in the clutch mechanism is slipping or not engaging properly. The right take up spool seems to be operating normally during play back.

If I do the same test and press fast-forward, the right take-up spool spins up at a decent speed, but the left spool is again stuttering. If I touch the left spool It also feels like it has a bit of resistance like something in the mechanism is fighting against it. I’m wondering if this resistance is why fast-forward isn’t working correctly when a cassette is present. I’m also not 100% sure whether the left-hand take-up spool should even be spinning during fast-forward or playback at all, or if only the right side should be fully active when in these modes. Most other decks I am familiar with only have the right hand spool spinning during playback and fast forward and the left strictly for rewind.

I’m aware I’m probably going to have to dismantle the transport again, but before I do, is there anything specific I should be looking for? One thought I had was that the brake portion might be catching on the left-hand spool, but it’s very difficult to see clearly or work out if that’s actually happening or if anyone else has any ideas it would be very much appreciated

 

PS. Also to add when the machine is on and the motor is running there is now a very slight ticking/clicking noise coming from the mechanism too

Thanks

Ryan

• This topic was modified 3 hours, 14 minutes ago by rjnicko93.

Location: United Kingdom

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[kknyc]

I just had to do similar to my beocord 5500. Lisa at DSP was really helpful pointing out “find if its mechanical first”.

you can set (the 5500) in ‘service mode’ by holding the [stop] button + pressing [play] (check your service manual for your model). I was then able to test the capstan and reel motor’s voltage (in idle, and playback in both directions) —mine were: Capstan ±12.99v and Reel ±4.56V

after replacing all belts/rubber and checking voltage. I then disassembled all the spindles and transport slides (not touching the head) to thoroughly clean and lubricate (hah I could’ve started here). My issue was the L reel was so sticky it would skip, play, then bog-repeat.

<sorry I don’t know the part names here…>

if you can also clean the ‘brake’ and ‘the grooved wheel’  (by the [Turn] motor), along with the transport ‘sled’ (containing the transport head/pin rollers assembly) thing may go in your favor.

 

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[rjnicko93]

The 5500 and the 8000 are not the same machine, so It won’t apply to my unit regarding any service mode I don’t think.

The 8000 was made in 1982 and is a large top loader type component. The 5500 came out in 1987 and there are two mechanisms it can use. Likely uses the the same transport as my Beocord 3500 known as a type II and that uses 3 belts, where as the Beocord 8000 uses two belts only.

my best guess is something is up with the breaking mechanism, but its so difficult to see

• This reply was modified 2 hours, 27 minutes ago by rjnicko93.
• This reply was modified 2 hours, 25 minutes ago by rjnicko93.

Location: United Kingdom

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[kknyc]

well I realize the models arent the same .. I was merely suggesting (your) Service Man and a thorough clean might surprise you. (sorry for the long winded explanation- I just completed mine last night- still on a ‘repair high’)

• This reply was modified 2 hours, 21 minutes ago by kknyc.
• This reply was modified 2 hours, 19 minutes ago by kknyc.
• This reply was modified 2 hours, 19 minutes ago by kknyc.

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[rjnicko93]

Thanks I’ll have a good look tomorrow

Location: United Kingdom

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