Thread: Tensioner Bolt snapped off 2012 RRSport L320 SDV6

Originally Posted by Htperth

Hi all, my tensioner bolt snapped right off while driving. This is within less than a year of changing the timing belt and kit including tensioner. Mechanic says he didn't over-tighten and used correct torque wrench settings. He has applied for a claim through the parts supplier. The UK supplier asked to have the tensioner and bolt sent to the UK for metallurgical testing on the bolt. Insurance won’t cover this so am hoping the UK supplier will! Really gutted as it’s my daily and I use it for work. Any tips?

Bolt should be 10.8 grade (which is an absolute engineering standard) stamped on the top. Anything less or inferior will not work. Bolt was also larger in size in later engines.

I really hope you can analyse and find the issue as this should not happen.

Others with this issue have recovered finding little head damage or replacing with heads from a damaged motor of which there are many SDV6 with bottom end issues and perfect heads so there are solutions.

Was the bolt new or reused?

It's a really difficult one to prove who is at fault.

At the end of the day, the design and overall strength of the bolt and tensioner mount are sketchy at best

Any slight deviation from the original spec could cause an issue. Even a slightly mis-calibrated torque wrench or damaged thread in the mount.

All the best though!

Something I do not understand is that if it was just about any other engine with a failed timing belt, the oil pump would get replaced and the heads pulled to assess and repair the damage.

It seems to be "common knowledge" that once these motors have a belt failure, nothing is salvageable, this is highly unlikely though.

The main issue would be the labour.

What sort of speed were you doing when it went ?

Hi all,

Thanks for the great tips.

The bolt was a new genuine stamped Land Rover part from Rovacraft. I was decelerating / braking from 70kph when it snapped so it wasn’t under much load and may have progressively got worse.

Currently I’m awaiting the metallurgic test result. If the supplier in UK admits the liability then I’m hoping they cover the cost of a replacement engine (used SDV6).

Someone mentioned that a rebuild will not guarantee longevity because some other parts that may have had minor / unseen damage from the incident could fail over tim.

Other suggestions have been:

1) Buy a new engine from:
Range Rover Sport Discovery 4 TDV6 SDV6 3.0 306DT Brand New Bare Engine For Sale | eBay

(Anyone tried them?)

2) Buy a used engine from:
Triumph Rover Spares - Triumph Rover Spares

3) Import an engine from the UK. Apparently it would work out cheaper despite freight cost

4)Look for a used Jaguar XF engine which was the same but cheaper under that brand

5) AliExpress has some new TDV6 blocks advertised at $8,500. Is this for real?

Would be great to hear your thoughts!

Good luck with that, the supplier is just a link in the chain so would have to get the manufacturer to admit fault but i think there are too many variables and no evidence of correct fitment.