Discovery 2 TD Serpentine Belt Failure Mystery

[lostride]

Hello all,
I have a 2003 TD Disco and last night on the way back to Brissie from Byron Bay I dropped the serpentine belt on the M1. It had literally exploded. There have been some odd noises coming from the general region lately and I suppose noises are not something to be ignored.
Anyhow, I had to get flat-bedded back home and parked it for the night. This morning I went out for an inspection and removed the fan shroud and this is something I found. Is this the work of a highly skilled bush mechanic from days past, for a reason unknown to me? (the lead looks too new?)
I had just picked up a used rhino platform, maybe it was in it and mysteriously made its way into the engine bay and into the pulley?
I have never noticed this pulley as being isolated from the belt, maybe it was and I just didn't notice..
Any ideas guys?
Also, I haven't gone any further with finding any other causes of failure as yet, just this was standing out like the proverbial dogs..
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9gbgCcN3c_06BenMhI1_YakIgJRhv6hYN7stEnutdbU?feat=d irectlink

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Psimpson7]

Surely it's just a ball from the bearing in the pulley which has failed, locked up and then ruined your serp belt. You can see melted remains of it where it has being going past the stationary pulley

[SiddersC]

Surely it's just a ball from the bearing in the pulley which has failed, locked up and then ruined your serp belt. You can see melted remains of it where it has being going past the stationary pulley

I agree!, bearing would have been on the way out for a while to have failed that bad.

Pulley and belt replacement on the cards, but also check the other pulleys (thoroughly)for play and binding, some do not like the extra pressure exerted when a pulley fails.

[lostride]

Yes, it is a ball bearing.. Moral of the story: Noises are there for a reason and should be attended to immediately.
I am just glad I was not in a remote area, but I would have deserved the grief given the sorry state of that pulley.

[bob10]

I took the advice from a forum member, [ Sydney LRC, I think] to factor into my oil change service, remove & inspect all idler bearings in the drive chain, for proper greasing. Almost every time, the grease in the bearing has been minimal. I took it one step further, before fitting a brand new pulley bearing, I removed the plastic cover to check the grease. Almost none, one small dollop. I grease them all myself , now. Bob

[alien]

My I sugest you have close look at the harmonic balancer.
When my idler pully went as yours did the belt grabed and broke the rubber in the harmonic.
Also as a mater of course I'd change the adjuster also.
If one bearing has gone the other doing the same work load wont be far away;)
Also don't forget to check bearing for the cooling fan that mounts into the timing case.

[lostride]

All great suggestions. I have decided to take a good look at everything in the general vicinity so I have her off the road at the moment. I think I will do the hoses as well whilst I am at it. I bought the vehicle used a few years ago and I have done some general maintenance and replaced some of the usual big ticket items (is there any other kind on a LR?), starter motor (genuine), inhibitor switch (used, fingers crossed) etc..

I suppose I will remove the radiator for better access etc. In addition to the great suggestions posted thus far, any further suggestions on this work? i.e what to do "while I'm down there?"

I will take a series of pictures when I do this work as it might of benefit to others in the future.

p.s I could have just had her towed to the mechanics but I can see how this could blow out into the $$,000 and I think it is the type of maintenance/repair that a LR owner should be able to do, especially in a remote situation. I will consider this a learning exercise.

I have read a bit about replacing the harmonic balancer and it seems a bit daunting but I will re-post this link that seems to be the best guide for this work (other suggestions welcome):
www.discovery2.co.uk / Crankshaft pulley* / TV damper replacement (http://www.discovery2.co.uk/CrankPulley.html)

I am pretty good at sourcing out good prices so I will attempt to document where I got stuff and what it cost.

Thanks guys!