Disco like a canary

[andyr39]

Hi all,

Okay done the timing belt, bottom crankshaft pulley and fitted all new belts. Anyway it is now singing like a canary.

Looking at the top of the front of the engine next to the fan belt tensioner (left side looking down)there is a pulley that is fixed in by a nut, this looks to have moved and is slightly tilted. I suspect that the bearing is on it's way out. What is the name of this part? I need to get it sorted really today. (I may not be describing it very well).

Or is it more likely to be the bearing in the fan belt tensioner (very common I understand)

Yours

Andy

Discovery 5 door 1996 P Reg, XS Auto (Japanese import)

[Disco Mike]

Sounds like the idler pulley has failed, pretty normal.
Mike

[singingcamel]

i agreee with Disco mike

[pavel]

andr 39: You said you replaced the "timing belt" - if you have the 3.5 to 4.6 aluminum V8 engine, there is no timing belt - there is a timing chain controling the camshaft inside the front timing cover. The belts just run water pump, alternator etc. From your description your engine is pre-serpentine belt, pre-1995??
When your say the pulley is tilted do you mean you can 'wiggle' the pulley around or do you mean the pulley is OK but it runs at a funny angle. If you can wiggle it around on its shaft, just take it to a local bearing supply house in your area - they should be able to give you a replacement bearing cheap ($10-15). Of course, you'll have to install it (into the pulley) yourself. The Brits call this type of idler pulley a "Jockey wheel".
Now if the bearing is OK but running at a strange angle, then probably the securing bolt/mechanism is bent or incorretly installed.
Our Disco is a '96 with the 4.0 engine, so it has the very simple one piece serpentine belt. With the serp belt design there is only 1 spring loaded idler pulley that keeps the correct tension on the belt.
If you don't have one, get yourself a Haynes manual.