I know this has probably been done to death but I just what to pass on my issues with the L322 4.4 serpentine belt.

Initial problem was belt/pulley noises particularly when cold.
I had a "mate" who does cars, (now ex-mate) who told me that "it's your pulleys mate" so £££'s worth of parts and labour later I had my car back and it was definitely quieter but 4k miles later it chewed the belt and I had to be rescued.

My RR went to our local garage who fitted a new belt and "some more pulleys" and we were back in business.

4 days later, while on holiday, there was this death rattle from the engine (a very loud clicking sound at belt speed). So back to my local garage it went and 4 weeks later they said they don't know what the problem is except that the belt is climbing up one of the idler pulleys and snapping back down which is causing the the loud clicking sound. I took my RR off them as they had obviously had enough and couldn't do anymore.

Fortunately I spoke to a local guy about my RR problem and he said he would take a look. 10mins later he said "your belt tensioner is right out of adjustment" i.e. the belt is too long.

Now the big question, which primary (serpentine) belt should be fitted ?
The original belt was a LR part 6PK 2518
The one my local garage fitted was a Gates 6PK 2520
LR part number LR022803 is what length ? I have seen 3 different 6PK 2515, 6PK 2518, 6PK 2520
So what's going on here ?
What I can confirm is that a Gates 6PK 2520 is definately the wrong one as it is too long.

Last edited by quint22cp on 14th Aug 2024 11:06am. Edited 1 time in total

Correct part number for the belt is LR022803 pretty sure it’s 6PK2515. I’d fit either genuine or Dayco. Were the pulleys and tensioner you had fitted genuine Land Rover?

Yes, all pulleys and the tensioner were Land Rover parts, (well I paid top price but how do you know).

My point is that the LR022803 part number gives 3 different length belts depending where you buy from and who made them. The longest of which, (Gates), causes the the tensioner to fully unwind and you don't have enough tension on the belt and it flaps around until it destroys itself.

I can't envisage that a belt 5mm longer would flop about, so either a wrong size pulley is mounted, perhaps 2 swapped if that is possible, or the belt is incorrectly routed. Mine's genuine belt was very tight to fit, requiring the tensioner to be pulled back to its absolute maximum.

I think that you have the wrong belt part number as the mentioned part number is for the L322 TDV8, not the L405/L494 SDV8 which is LR036090 and I can't see any supersession for the other part number, unless not for your L405.

That makes sense GraemeS.

The Gates belt 6PK 2520, is very easy to get on/off which accounts for it not been tensioned correctly. I measured the length and its a appears to be 2530mm, way too long.

Just got in touch with a local-ish LR specialist (ROEAN) and the belt they fit to all RR's when they do a service is a Dayco 6PK2515, so I'm going for one of these. Will report back when I've fitted it.

The one I fitted on mine was a Dayco 6PK2515.

Fitted a Dayco 6PK2515, today and it runs like a clockwork mouse, very pleased.
Hopefully will stay like this and not chew up another belt.

https://imgur.com/MSZAjuz
Top one is the original old one.
Bottom one is a new SKF belt.
(what am i doing wrong in posting a link to show an image? It worked before)

What made a difference with me is cleaning the small pulley of the alternator, especially the grooves (!).
They were filled/packed with dirt from the old belt. 2012 4.4TDV8
2000 Honda S2000

Started from cold today and the noise is back FUUUURRRRRRCCCCCXXXXXX

At start up there is a clicking sound at belt speed. i.e. if you look at the belt you can see the white writing go past, a much lower speed than the engine RPM.

This engine has now had all pulleys (all genuine LR parts) changed twice, 3 new belts. After about 1min the clicking stops and doesn't return, until the engine is stone cold in the morning.

All ancillaries spin freely and no stiffness in any pulley. The clicking sound appears to be from the alternator side. I can't see exactly where the noise is coming from it is in the depths of the engine. I'm getting one of those long inspection camera things to look at the inaccessible pulleys to see if the belt is jumping.

I did clean out all the grooves in the "grooved" pulleys.

I have read on another post, although a L405, but still the same 4.4 diesel. That there is a modified alternator bracket to adress belt noises. Anybody know anything about this ?

Everyone who knows me says I am the fussiest person they have ever known with cars as they have to be perfect. I too have belt squeal when cold which disappears after a minute or less. I asked a specialist for the cost to replace the pulleys and belt and after inspection was advised to live with it as nothing wrong or about to go pop. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Santorini black ivory leather

Yes, I have since read a post on FFrr that a clicking noise from the fan area is "normal" for aging L322's, after initial cold start as it soon disappears. I can live with that, if it doesn't get worse, all fingers crossed.

Eastsoutheast wrote:

Everyone who knows me says I am the fussiest person they have ever known with cars as they have to be perfect. I too have belt squeal when cold which disappears after a minute or less. I asked a specialist for the cost to replace the pulleys and belt and after inspection was advised to live with it as nothing wrong or about to go pop.