Panasonic RF-7100 8 track

[rumburaski]

My Panasonic RF-7100 8 track plays but sound fluctuates. FM radio ok. AM radio poor. Belt ok. Capacitors ok. How do I rule out audio head is not the problem?

 

[debe]

If sound fluctuates in speed then its probably the motor, if the belts ok.

 

[kellys_eye]

Potential problem with the motor/belts/heads and we get a few pictures of....... not them.....????

Motor, capstan, belt or simply the tapes themselves. Do you have a 'new' recorded tape to play? Or are your tapes all old pre-recorded versions? Sounds like tape degradation to me.