Serpentine/Accessory belt failure on a very wet, dark MI road in the middle of nowhere...

[ftillier]

Being above the vacuum pump, perhaps the bearing let go and that is indeed ball bearings you saw earlier. This is consistent with the rattling while the thing is still largely where it should be. A broken shaft and I'd expect the pulley to be down by the skid plate or MIA.

 

[Longtrail]

Being above the vacuum pump, perhaps the bearing let go and that is indeed ball bearings you saw earlier. This is consistent with the rattling while the thing is still largely where it should be. A broken shaft and I'd expect the pulley to be down by the skid plate or MIA.

Agreed (esp. the bearings)! The pulley is actually back behind the bracket (who's part number I'm trying to find); I can feel the pulley rattling around when I stick my fingers back there. I believe I have to remove the viscous fan pulley to get access to a hidden bolt which will in turn allows me to remove the bracket and see what's happening; there are 4 bolts (25Nm) that hold on the bracket. There are 3 bolts holding on the pulley (also 25Nm). Will report back later.

 

[Longtrail]

Here's the root cause; it explains the bearings! This is the flat faced idler that sits behind the viscous fan pulley:

I'm now looking for:
- This idler (the bracket I think is OK)
- Bolt for the same idler
- The other idler (preventative - above the alternator)
- The pulley on the belt tensioner (has a slight nick)
- New serpentine belt
- New viscous fan pulley belt
- New viscous fan pulley (spotted a little damage on it)

Where do people shop? Lake Bluff seem quite reasonable; where possible I'd like to keep this OE. I also need to splice in a new electrical connector, does anyone know where I might find one of these (it's the connection below the thermostat by the alternator):

 

[itsaguything]

… fwiw, in Canada, if the job is completed at the dealer, there is a 1 year parts and labour warranty.
The OEM part lasted this long…. I’m surprised there wasn’t some telltale sign/noise before the demise.
Incidentally, I have been successful in bartering at the dealer…
Cheers!

 

[Longtrail]

Likewise, I've bartered at the dealer but sometimes they won't budge... I'm in no hurry so I don't mind waiting for parts either! I typically don't have dealers work on my cars. I'll take my time and really clean up when I'm in there; this is not a luxury dealers typically have.

I didn't hear any telltale signs and agree with you that I should have. I keep reading that these engines are noisy so perhaps I missed it but there's not been any real obvious noises (screeches, grinding, etc.). I've long suspected the viscous fan is making the tick tick noise so that's on my radar, and the timing chains but right now that's very subtle, nothing like some of the YouTube videos I've watched.

 

[ktm525]

Own a Land Rover for long and you will end up with a stethoscope. You sure you can't polish out some of the damage on the nicked pulleys? Try some of the Brit based part shops. The shipping and duty is actually quite simple and low ( at least to Canada)

 

[jlglr4]

I actually used to find the best prices at dealers by shopping around various dealer sites online. It’s been a while since I’ve needed anything, but I was astounded at some of the price differences I’d see. My dealer (Livermore CA) used to have great online prices, but then shut their online shop down. Not sure if they ever reopened it. I want to say the Paramus dealer and Ontario CA dealer used to have good online prices, but can’t remember for sure anymore. I think there was on in Florida I used to check as well.

 

[Longtrail]

Own a Land Rover for long and you will end up with a stethoscope. You sure you can't polish out some of the damage on the nicked pulleys? Try some of the Brit based part shops. The shipping and duty is actually quite simple and low ( at least to Canada)

I'm sure you're right about the stethoscope, I'm not there yet!

Absolutely agree on the parts front; given I'm from the UK originally I'm very happy to shop in the UK and ship things over. The key issue is they don't have the V8 unless it's a Jag or a super charged V8; certainly the V8 is a lot less common over there (fuel prices!). I bought my AMK compressor and GAP tool this way and saved quite a few $$$!

 

[Longtrail]

I actually used to find the best prices at dealers by shopping around various dealer sites online. It’s been a while since I’ve needed anything, but I was astounded at some of the price differences I’d see. My dealer (Livermore CA) used to have great online prices, but then shut their online shop down. Not sure if they ever reopened it. I want to say the Paramus dealer and Ontario CA dealer used to have good online prices, but can’t remember for sure anymore. I think there was on in Florida I used to check as well.

I'm looking here right now but plan to give them a call:

Belts & Pulleys for 2012 Land Rover LR4 | Land Rover Parts Now

parts.landroverlakebluff.com

I think Palm Beach in Florida may be the other dealer... I'll take a look at the other places! Saving $10 but spending 3 hours to do it is also a balance I need to strike but you're right that the price differences are astounding.

 

[ftillier]

I've gotten some parts from landroverparamus (in NJ), and found they had some good prices.

Is the pulley on the tensioner the same as the idler pulley, or do you need to replace the entire tensioner assembly to get just the pulley?