Changing fan-belt..

My rad burst last month and covered the fan-belt in coolant resulting in it squeaking like fook all the time.. It's had a good few weeks to dry out and stop making a racket but no luck so time to change it.. Is it a big deal? Any tips?

search for the penny trick

Richard Martin said:

search for the penny trick

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yeh heard about this, it solves squeaking belts?

It's a fix for a 300 but I'd like to see it done on a TD5. You can barely see the tensioner. Just upgraded to a Disco 2 myself and it came with a squeaking belt. Replaced the belt,tensioner and idler pulley and its still sqeaking but not as bad. Water pump is next port of call as thats the cheapest nex bit.
Job is MUCH easier if you can get the fan off (I can't). If you can't I found that disconnecting the big hose between the intercooler and the EGR valve and tucking it back helps a lot. You need a 15mm socket with a 3/8 drive (1/2" wont get between the tensioner and the fan) on the bolt on the tensioner pulley to pull the tensioner back. Make a note of the belt run because its very easy to get it wrong as I did and you will spend ages trying to work out why it won't fit.
If you want to change the tensioner, the bolt that holds it on needs a 12 point 14mm socket and its recessed so again, a 1/2" drive probably won't fit.
One other point, there are 4 different length belts I think. Mine has got ACE but no aircon and the belt is 1818mm. Don't know the length for the others.

Normal right hand thread on TD5 fan!!! ...so dont go clubbing it wiv a hammer tightening the fooker