Thread: 300Tdi throws timing belt - but why?

And my built 1996, rego-ed 1997 300TDi Defender was from the same WA dealer as James. The dealer told me that they had carried out the mod, but all that they actually did was put a blob of yellow paint on the pulley. According to info. this was the LR recommendation to show that the mod. had been completed. Mine didn't break but it cost me $900 back in 1998 or 99 to have another reputable LR person fit the kit after James told me about his mishap. The dealer wouldn't even admit that there was a problem, let alone that they had defrauded both me and Land Rover, who presumably were charged back for the work. I contacted the Department of Fair Trading who advised me that at that time they were receiving about 6 complaints per week about the dealer, but that even the lawyer customers had failed to get satisfaction.

'Arthur Daley' (Minder) is alive and well in Perth.

We identified the cause of the belt breaking whilst we put a new belt on last night.

Human error.

It became evident that the idler pullers were tentioned an order of magnitude too high. The torque wrench used had units of KgM, not NM and no conversion was made. A very simple mistake to make, but one resulting in nearly a factor of 10 too much tension.

Many thanks for all the helpful posts. I was amazed at how many people diagnosed this problem correctly just by looking at a photo! A great reflection of the skill and knowledge on this forum - Thanks!