Smell coming from old reel tape recorder Teac A-4300 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 03:52:10 am
content: Hi.Hydrochloric acid. That's the smell I have noticed coming from the vent above the right hand reel. (Left side in rear photo)Popped the rear cover, there is a solenoid brake on each reel motor, a big tranny a few big silver caps(?) and what looks to be a big resistor. All could be suspicious, but as far as I can tell, the machine is working fine save for a bit of percussive maintenance with the pinch roller/tape lifter mechanism to get it going.A pic from a ebay ad shows the rear view without the cover. Any ideas?http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TEAC-4300-REEL-PARTS-knob-assembly-function-/310509413924Bonus question. Going to Jaycar in the next few days. What is the best approach and goo to put on that sticky pinch roller/tape lifter mech? Common fault and plenty of Y/T vids of owners mentioning the problem but it's working but could be a bit better..

author: Joule Thief
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 04:08:10 am
content: You may be smelling the remains of a chlorinated cleaner used to free up solenoid mechanisms.The previous owner or repair facility may have used a chlorinated spray cleaner to remove tobacco / tar residue from inside the system.My last adventure with a reel to reel was mostly removing years worth of tar and nicotine buildup from the inside of the recorder. I remember the recorder having a faint smell of cleaner after I was finished with it.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 04:50:18 am
content: Never really noticed a smell with hydrochloric acid other than catch a whiff of it and it takes your breath away.

author: kolbep
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 05:34:35 am
content: My guess is that, if it is acidic, then most likely the one of the silver caps is failing,.and needs to be changed

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 06:00:05 am
content: Lubricant - anything non-migrating - e.g. not silicon based.If you use the wrong stuff - it wanders around the place with vibration over time and can foul heads, media and other very small orifices.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 06:43:02 am
content: Quote from: kolbep on May 17, 2014, 05:34:35 amYeah. That's what I am wondering. Don't know if I may have a time bomb ticking since the machine, in spite of this very light smell, is workingfineexcellent now. So far.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 06:46:56 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on May 17, 2014, 04:50:18 amIn the construction industry, it is used to dissolve cement that get splashed on brickwork. Diluted, it has a distinctive smell and does indeed take your breath away if you get a good wiff of it. I don't know how else to describe the smell but it's what I thought of as soon as I got a wiff.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 06:52:44 am
content: Quote from: Joule Thief on May 17, 2014, 04:08:10 amCame from a clean, well-to-do residential user. Prolly got used a half dozen times in the late '70's and sat for 30 years in the same cupboard where I took ownership. It unfortunately sat here at my place in the shed for a further few years in less homely conditions while I got my finger out and got around to playing with it.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 07:05:11 am
content: All rubber and grease dried out.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 12:29:18 pm
content: Quote from: Joule Thief on May 17, 2014, 04:08:10 amChlorinated solvents smell nothing like HCl, they have a sweet and mostly pleasant odour.I'm also going to say it's a leaking cap.