I've got multiple Betamaxes with seemingly the same issue...

[WCV82]

All 3 of these are Sanyo models (Betacord) from I assume to be the early to mid 80s. All are top loaders. All of them when you press play the motors make a whirring noise, yet the tape does not advance and the machine shuts off. 2 of the 3 I was able to get the tapes out without any issue or damage, the third one it took a little effort to get the tape out as it unthreaded it so I had to manually wind it back into the spool.

The one that unthreaded the tape would not work in any other way, either Rewinding or Fast Forwarding. However, the other 2 aforementioned Betacord decks DO Rewind and Fast Forward tapes, they just don't work when I hit the Play button.

So for those more in the know, what is wrong with these machines? Given that they are all the same brand and all have similar issues, is it possibly the same part that is faulty on all 3 of them, like a belt or something similar?

Lastly, I'm debating getting these machines fixed with Mr. Betamax, the famous Beta format repair expert. Has anyone here had any experience with him? Given his proximity to me I probably would hand deliver and pick up the decks myself as shipping would be more than gas.