One of the most familiar problems with Land Rover is idler pulley failure, however, this problem is easy to fix and avoid if necessary measures are taken. An idler pulley can be described as a wheel that provides support to and also helps to control the tension of the drive belt of the engine. The drive belt is also referred to as the serpentine belt and it is responsible for driving some of the components in the engine such as the alternator, power steering pump, and the air conditioning compressor.
What the idler pulley does is to help maintain the belt on track and to ensure it is running correctly. Without it, the belt can shift, or get out of line, which can cause severe engine issues.
Symptoms of a Faulty Idler Pulley
A common symptom of a worn-out idler pulley is a squealing sound coming from the engine; this is often quite loud and usually best heard when starting the engine or when accelerating. Checking the idler pulley is relatively easy if you can access it; examine it for signs of wear such as cracks, or if it wobbles on its mount.
If the idler pulley becomes worn out and fails, it can lead to the drive belt slipping off or even coming off completely; this will cause the engine warning lights to come on on your dashboard. This, in turn, can have implications on the functionality of other components in the vehicle such as the alternator, the power steering, and air conditioning since they depend on the belt drive.
Addressing Idler Pulley Issue
- Let a Professional Replace the Pulley: The first thing that you should do is to have your car taken to a mechanic who has dealt with Land Rovers before so that they can check on the idler pulley and probably diagnose it to confirm that it is the problem. This is a good approach because you will be sure that what you are repairing is the right part and it will also help to avoid missing any other parts of the engine that are faulty. If the mechanic gets back to you and confirms that the idler pulley is bad, it will have to be replaced. This procedure is one that entails the replacement of the old pulley with a new one. It is recommended that the pulley be replaced immediately to avoid continued straining of the drive belt and other parts of the car’s engine.
- Check the Drive Belt: When the mechanic is working on replacing the idler pulley, he or she should also inspect the drive belt. This belt also called serpentine belt is another component that is in direct relation with the idler pulley and its key function is to drive other components of the engine. If it is worn, cracked, or damaged it should be replaced at the same time with the idler pulley. This ensures that every part of the system is working correctly and prevents possible problems in the future.
- Check Other Components: It is advisable to ask the mechanic to inspect other related parts as he or she attends to the idler pulley. These are for instance the tensioner pulley which regulates the tension of the drive belt and the bearings within the pulleys. It is important that you make sure that these parts are well maintained so that they do not pose a problem to the health of your engine. Any of these parts that are worn or damaged should be fixed or replaced to avoid worsening the situation.
Hand Your Land Rover Over To Fifth Gear Automotive For The Best Maintenance In Texas
Fifth Gear Automotive is one of the 
automobile repair shops that you can trust if you reside in Texas and this is all thanks to our skilled mechanics. We are the leading auto service shop in Lewisville, Argyle, McKinney, TX, and the surrounding regions. If you suspect that your Land Rover’s idler pulley is not functioning properly, come to Fifth Gear Automotive. We are currently operating with four workshops in Texas so you can look at our website to locate the shop closest to you. Call us today to schedule your next Land Rover service appointment.
