capstan woes

[JamesDaniel]

I just replaced the capstan belt on my Teac a1500 and it spins freely when tape is not engaged. However, when I play tape it slowly stops spinning...does this have something to do with the tightness\looseness of the belt? or is the problem something else? anyone know?

[Scorpion8]

Do you have a service manual? If it stops spinning when you engage PLAY, I would say the belt is either too loose or mis-routed. I am unfamiliar with that model Teac, so a SM would be helpful. If you can, clean the belt grooves with some isolpropyl alcohol to make sure there is no grease or oil and that the belt has a good grip.