Thread: Replacing Td5 drive belt

It can be done without taking the fan off - just be prepared to take some bark off of your knuckles. Taking the fan off would make it easier, but not worth the effort if you do not have the tool.

I've been working on my TD5 over the last 2 days and decided to see how hard it was to remove and replace the belt in the event of a belt breakage out bush....

Well - it's fiddly but not impossible by yourself. You don't have to take the fan off but do remove the top fan shroud.

You'll need a 15mm ring spanner to move the tensioner and take tension off the belt and a zip tie to hold the spanner in place. Turn the tensioner anti-clockwise....belt will loosen and then zip tie your spanner to any available hard point (I used the clip on a hose).

Slide the belt off the fan pulley first by moving it forward and it all gets easy from there with more slack. It's a little fiddly unwinding the belt from the remaining pulleys but is not too hard.

Replacement is the reverse - ensure the grooves are aligned on the pulleys and slide the belt onto the fan pulley last.

Release your zip tie carefully and the belt will tension up nicely.

Crack a cold beer and marvel at your mechanical expertise

I would also consider changing the idler and adjuster pullies, the viscous bearing maybe every other belt change.
The only time I've had belt issues it was due to a bearing ceising/falling apart and burning through the belt
A spare belt is no good on a non spining bearing

How often have or do you change the belt, Im at 150km and never been changed in my ownership so will keep the old as a spare in the LR. Is it required every 100km or sooner.

As a suggestion, I would get a permenant marker, and draw the belt layout on the slam panel or top of the engine. I do this on any car with a serpentine belt, as if it fails, it makes it a hundred times easier to fit a new one! (I carry a belt, tensioner and idlers in mine. - I have had a failure of the tensioner before)

According to the Owners workshop manual, every 12000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS the belt should be taken off and inspected.and quote-" if it is worn, frayed or cracked, renew as a precaution against breakage " Hope this helps
Bob10

Originally Posted by shamirj

How often have or do you change the belt, Im at 150km and never been changed in my ownership so will keep the old as a spare in the LR. Is it required every 100km or sooner.

From what I've read on read on here most people are going 100,000 as a preventitive meashure.
Mine went at @ 130,000 to give you a guide.

100,000 !!!!

Thats a looooooong time for an AUX belt.............mines had 2 new ones since I have onwed it, and thats in 30,000 miles.