Editing Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 Capacitor Replacement Guide (section)

== Is the +2 a recap candidate? ==

The +2 has ordinary leaded electrolytics and is '''not''' a machine with a systematic capacitor plague. Given the fragile board, a blanket recap does more harm than good — '''replace on evidence, not on principle'''.

Recap where it is justified:

* '''Visibly failed parts''' — bulging, leaking, crusty residue or a cracked sleeve.
* '''Supply instability''' — random crashes, or rails that measure out of tolerance or show ripple.
* '''Audio hum''' — but check the grounding first. On Taiwanese-built +2s a constant hum is usually the tape PCB's grounding through the mechanism frame, cured by tightening the two screws holding the PCB to the mechanism. Do that before replacing any audio capacitors.<ref name="sfe2">Spectrum for Everyone, [https://www.spectrumforeveryone.com/technical/servicing-2s-datacorder/ "Servicing your +2's Datacorder"]. Source for the grounding-related audio hum and its fix.</ref>
* '''Datacorder problems''' — almost always the drive belt and head, not capacitors. Service the mechanism first.

A useful capacitor test carried over from the 48K machines: if the display shows '''wavy lines''', press down on each electrolytic in turn — if the lines clear while you press one, that is the faulty part.<ref name="sm48">''ZX Spectrum Service Manual'', Sinclair Research Ltd, section 6.4.3 "Wavy lines across screen". Hosted on this wiki as [[Sinclair ZX Spectrum Service Manual]] ([[:File:Sinclair ZX Spectrum Service Manual.pdf|PDF]]).</ref>