Here is a you tube video on replacing the belts.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking for a tool set and then will replace the belt in the pictures to start. I took it down the road and everything seem to go good for the few miles I drove it. I didn't want to blow the belt and wreck the engine. Would you suggest that I change all of the belt or just start with the one making the noise?

Marty
20 Freelander 80K

 

Rick,
Thanks for the Video, The rear look a lot easier that the front. It seams to be running good but I don't want to push in until I change the belt.

Marty
04 Freelander 80K

 

Marty, you could get by with just the rear belts for quite a while as the front will stay in tension as the video suggests. The condition of the front belt can be checked by pulling off a cover, and then examined for cracks on the back side. If it doesn't have too many cracks, and the edges are not cupping up, then the front is probably good for a while. You can get by with just the rear tool if you can find it. It's the one that resembles a dumbell. The front belt is a good days work if you've never done one before, so plan accordingly.

Overall it sound like the engine is in good shape. With that compression, and if it isn't using coolant, you should get a lot of miles out of it. Absolute most important thing with a KV6 is to not let it over heat. Check the hoses routinely, always watch the gauge.

 

Marty, I should also mention that the newer KV6 has a different exhaust cam sprocket than the video shows. It has the rubber mounted harmonic balancer as you probably noticed when removing the cover. Proceedure is the same, but the tool looks different that the video: It has a large circular end that grabs the spokes of the balancer on one end, and the twin-pin end as shown on the video at the opposing end of the tool. Check Ebay UK for a used set of tools, but make sure the rear tool is as I described. Good luck.

 

I will check the front belt and update the post. I will look at Ebay UK and see if I can find a tool. Thanks again for all the help and information.

Marty
04 Freelander 80K

 

The front belt has a few cracks in it from what I can see. The covers won't come off without removing more parts so I just took a quick look. I took this picture.

Marty
04 Freelander 80K



Do you know the best place to buy the bolts and rear belt?

 

You can find the belts on EBay, with the best buy to get all three as a set. The bolts are harder to find, although I always get mine from Atlantic British. Just search their site for Freelander Cam Bolts. The front belt looks OK from the back side, but your mileage is in the replacement zone for belts. Exercise care with no high revs or fast acceleration and you should be good for a few thousand more miles.

 

Rick,

When I Change the belts should I change the water pump? I see a lot of talk about doing all of them at the same time. Thanks again for all of the help. Still trying to figure out if I want to change the one and try if for a few miles and then change the rest. Not an everyday driver so I have time to let it sit while I work on it.

Are both the bolts on the cam gear and the exhaust gear the same?

Marty
04 Freelander 80K

 

Yes, change the water pump as the pulley is driven by the timing belt, and should the pump bearing fail, the belt would derail and trash the motor. They are built very well, and would probably go the distance without replacement, but considering the cost for a new pump makes it cheap insurance.

Yes, the bolts are all the same, you will need six total. You may also want to replace the caps that go over the end of the exhaust cams on the front of the heads. I've reused them with a swipe of sealant, but they can get beat up during removal.

I would encourage you to do all three belts at once. I've seen package deals on eBay that includes a water pump and belt tensioner for much less than a separate sale. Be sure to use synthetic oil, 0w-40 Mobil 1 or Royal Purple. Pull the oil sump off when you do the belts and clean it out. Pull the oil filter and replace it with a new one before you drain. Fill the new filter with oil before you put it on. Long story but it keeps the pump primed.
Use Castrol Transmax Import Multivehicle transmission fluid in the gearbox. You can get it in gallon jugs on Amazon at a low price.

Whew that was a lot. Good luck Marty.