In your Land Rover, and any vehicle you own, it is important to understand the many different systems and their basic functions. You do not need to be an expert, but since you drive a car, it makes sense that you would at least understand how some of the systems work and why.

A better understanding of your vehicle will help you take better care of it and know what to do when a system begins to fail. While the Land Rover is a car that is built to last, customers have been known to report issues with the idler pulley. Though it is not a tough part to replace, if left unattended it could cause issues with your car’s operation and performance.

What is the Idler Pulley?

Your car has a drive belt that helps to power various components of your engine. It is a series of belts that wraps around parts and move. It is important that these belts are placed in the correct spot and orientation, as to not hit the other parts in the car. The drive belt helps in the proper function of the power steering and helps your alternator to work. The idler pulley is what helps the belts to not come in contact with the other belts or parts.

The crankshaft pulley is what helps to keep all of the belts functioning properly. The crankshaft pulley spins to provide the power to the other systems. The belts need tension in order to not slip, so they are wrapped incredibly tightly around the various pulleys and the crankshaft. The idler pulley is what the manufacturers use to help route the belts properly. If the idler pulley starts to malfunction it can cause problems to the other systems in the car that rely on it. Luckily, there are symptoms that will present themselves when the idler pulley starts to fail.

What are the Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Idler Pulley?

When dealing with a failing idler pulley system in your car there are some symptoms you will begin to notice. You may start to notice a chirping sound that is coming from the front end of your vehicle. This is likely being produced by the idler pulley since it is not properly functioning. If it is not functioning properly, this means that it will not rotate correctly and will cause metal to grind against different parts since the pulley is moving at such a high speed. If not addressed quickly the idler pulley could shift and cause a drive belt to fail. If this happens, you will not be able to use the part and will have to replace it.

It is important to note that if your car’s idler pulley has shifted at all you should not do any more driving until it gets fixed. That includes driving small distances. Since the idler pulley system affects many different components on your car you will not know the system that it will affect. It could be a less dangerous system like the AC, or it could be the belt that is for the engine cooling system. If that is the case, you engine might overheat which would cause major damage to your car.

What to do When the Idler Pulley Fails?

The best solution for you is to stop driving your car and to get your vehicle towed to a mechanic. Make sure to visit a trusted mechanic who is familiar with working on your vehicle’s make. The mechanic will be able to inspect your car and let you know which belt has been shifted and what will need to be done in order to repair it. Again, it is important to address this issue quickly so as to not make the problem worse.

How We Can Help

At Glenwood Foreign Car we can help you deal with any issues you may be experiencing with your vehicle. Convenient to residents of Upper Makefield Township, Yardley, Newtown, and Morrisville, PA, our technicians are expertly trained and will be able to help you identify the issue and determine the best course of action to fix it. If you would like to learn more about the services we offer or would like to schedule an appointment, please visit our website or call our office where a representative will be able to assist you.

* Land Rover Car image credit goes to: kurmyshov.

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