The accessory drive belt is commonly referred to as the serpentine belt or the auxiliary belt; it is a long, single-strip belt that runs through several pulleys in the Land Rover’s engine. It is responsible for transmitting power from the engine to other parts of the vehicle to allow them to run efficiently.
The belt can deteriorate due to wear and tear, develop small cracks, or even have a glazed surface, which may lead to poor performance and damage to other related components of the engine if not replaced. Let’s discuss where and how you can replace this belt for a Land Rover.
Replacing The Accessory Drive Belt In A Land Rover
- Locate the Belt Tensioner: The belt tensioner is an assembly that is responsible for maintaining the tension on the accessory drive belt. It is usually located near the front of the engine and will have a spring loaded arm attached to it. The tensioner pulley is responsible for keeping the belt at the appropriate tension level to drive other accessories of the engine. You will have to let go of this tension to take out the belt.
- Release the Tension: To accomplish this, you will need a wrench or a belt tensioner tool to adjust the tensioner pulley to release the tension on the belt. The tensioner is spring loaded in order to ensure that the belt remains tight but this also means that the tensioner can easily spring back. When turning the pulley, do so gently to avoid sudden jerking movements. This action will provide a sufficient amount of space in the belt and you can then remove it with ease.
- Remove the Old Belt: Once the tension has been relieved, you can then slowly remove the old belt from the pulleys. You must also pay attention to the direction of the belt on the different pulleys that it passes through. If you are confused, you can refer to the belt routing diagram which is normally found in the user manual or on the underside of the hood. Proper routing of the new belt is important to ensure it runs properly without slipping or misaligning.
- Install the New Belt: Place the new belt over the pulleys with the correct routing orientation you identified or as described in your Land Rover manual. With the new belt installed, use the wrench or the belt tensioner tool to turn the tensioner pulley again to create enough slack for the new belt to be fitted in place. Gradually let the tensioner pull the belt to make it tighten. Make sure that the belt is positioned properly in all the pulleys and that it is of the right tension.
- Start the Engine: Lastly, turn on the engine of your Land Rover and give it some time to warm up. Any strange sound that comes from the engine can also be an indication that the belt is not in the right place. Ensure that all the appliances that draw their power from the belt including the power steering and air conditioning are working as they should. This step is taken to ensure that the installation is correct so that the belt can run without any complications.
Should You Seek Help From A Professional Or Use DIY Approach?
Replacing the accessory drive belt may appear like something you can take care of with a DIY approach, but it is essential to let a professional do it. Wrong installation of the belt can result in improper tension and even damage to other parts such as the alternator and the power steering pump. It is always recommended to have the Land Rover’s performance and safety taken care of by professionals.
We Are The Land Rover Experts You Can Rely On In Grapevine
Import Car Center has been the leading auto 
workshop for providing excellent services to the residents of Grapevine, TX for more than 40 years. Our team of experienced ASE-certified technicians is always ready to serve the Land Rover drivers in the area for any minor or complex repair.
If you are hearing a sound similar to a belt continually slapping something or if you realize that the accessory drive belt is worn out, we are here to help. We also assist drivers from other areas such as Colleyville, Keller, Southlake, and Westlake, in Texas. Contact us now at 817-481-5665 for your Land Rover repairs.