When the game is started for the first time after sitting overnight or a few days, the score motor turns over slowly. It is easy to see because the score reels reset slowly. After the first time, it then picks up to a good speed from then on as you use it.
It is in the garage so it does get some temperature variation, but not much. But we did have a cold streak for a few days (I think it got into the 50s), and it does seem like it is worse when it is colder.
Interestingly, I have a Bally Monte Carlo right next to it, which is very similar and has the same score motor, and that thing always fires up like a rocket even after sitting overnight in the same "cold".
So my question is should I worry about it, and/or what could I do about it. Here is an end view of the motor and what I presume is a gear box. There don't appear to be any lubrication points and I know in general that lubing things is to be avoided, although not always.
I am not too thrilled with the idea of disassembling it to clean it, but if I have to do it, I will. Just afraid I will botch the job and kill it, and that would be bad.