How Did I Screw This Up?

[KMS73]

I posted in the solid state forum, but it occurs to me that this might be a more appropriate spot...

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/pioneer-sx-828-gremlins.751615/

Basically, I waxed the tuner string, and went to town with the DeOxit on my new (to me) sx-828. I did my homework, and am pretty darn sure I did everything right, but I guess not...

Before this, everything was working reasonably well. After, there's a hum, and the tuner isn't working at all. Both conditions that weren't there beforehand.

How could I have possibly screwed this up!?!

 

[ZOOM]

Did you get deoxit anywhere near the tuner? If that ends up in a closed up variable capacitor or something such the tuner's gone.

 

[KMS73]

I don't believe so - I took the faceplate all the way down to the pots as described in various threads and YouTube vids. I'll take a closer look tonight though.

If that did happen, I'm just screwed huh?

 

[sKiZo]

Leave it open with a fan on it and hope it dries out leaving minimal residue ... carefully wipe down all the gang plates using a piece of poster board or card stock first, being very careful not to disturb the alignment.

This might help too ...

Not sure ... is ISO alcohol safe on these things?

 

[KMS73]

well, if ISO is safe, I have a gallon of lab grade 99.5% standing at the ready...

 

[markthefixer]

use zero residue cleaner on the tuning fins. Touching them is out of the question.
try to not wash out the bearing's lube - or that will have to be renewed - potentially starting over if the oil gets on the fins.
Then wait 24 hours before doing anything with / about the tuner.

 

[KMS73]

use zero residue cleaner on the tuning fins. Touching them is out of the question.
try to not wash out the bearing's lube - or that will have to be renewed - potentially starting over if the oil gets on the fins.
Then wait 24 hours before doing anything with / about the tuner.

Thanks Mark. I don't see any residue at all on the tuning fins, or anywhere else for that matter, so I'm guessing that not messing with that at all is probably my best bet?

At this point, I'm feeling like taking this to a qualified pro is my best bet. Any suggestions for someone in Los Angeles? I'm chatting with Gary Garfield at Musical Fidelity tomorrow.

 

[sKiZo]

Plan B ... google Pioneer SX 828 Tuner Front End & Variable Capacitor ...

 

[KMS73]

Plan B ... google Pioneer SX 828 Tuner Front End & Variable Capacitor ...

Thanks. Looks like that guy has quite a few bits that might come in handy.

 

[sKiZo]

Yup ... it's a shame to see these old gems parted out, but those parts CAN come in right handy, and it's better than the landfill!

Luck wit yours, eh.

 

[zebulon1]

Plan B ... google Pioneer SX 828 Tuner Front End & Variable Capacitor ...

If your going to go that rout, try cleaning it with Marks method.
I think Lowe's sells the non residue cleaner. It's a CRC product. It works good for cleaning the VC.
The board can be sprayed with the cleaner. Spray everything in and out then some low pressure compressed air blown into the cans to push the residue out.
Spray the in the cans, top and bottom.

 

[markthefixer]

A thin oil film across the capacitor fin faces will change the dielectric constant away from pure air
and shift the capacitance. The zero residue cleaner must be used on both sets of fins, and
applied when the fins are unmeshed.

Then start looking for broken wires.

 

[KMS73]

A thin oil film across the capacitor fin faces will change the dielectric constant away from pure air
and shift the capacitance. The zero residue cleaner must be used on both sets of fins, and
applied when the fins are unmeshed.

Then start looking for broken wires.

Thanks Mark. I took it to a local guy yesterday afternoon, and this morning he called to say that it was largely sorted. He cleaned up the gangs with zero residue as you suggested, but more importantly (in his words), found some solder points that need to be re-flowed. Tuner working now, but he's not happy with sensitivity yet.

All in all, he said it looks like a new receiver, and in the best condition he's seen in over 10 years. Should be finished with testing over the weekend, and hopefully I'll have it back on Monday!