What's the reason many of you are changing out the A/C belt tensioner? Known problem spot?

Most change it out because a new one comes with the Ebay kits.

They can go bad (its a hyd cylinder) and its easy to change when the belt is off.

I was just shy of $300 when I did mine. That included the cheaper aircabinman kit from ebay, radiator hoses and coolant (neither of which was Toyota). Probably should have used Toyota hoses but what I went with works. Previous owner had used green coolant so I just went with it again. Didn't replace crankshaft pulley bolt.

Got one of those as well!
@paddlenbike - my A/C belt tensioner was broken, the bolt looked like it broke off a long time ago, no way to get it out of the bracket without cutting it to pieces. The bearing is sealed into the pulley so there's no feasible way to replace just the bearing. The part from Toyota came with the adjuster "stud", pulley and bearing. You have to buy the long adjuster bolt separately. Both parts were right around $40 together.

Since I am not that handy or have help with stuff, I had it done for $800 or so back in March. Also oil change and coolant change. Part of the problem was that it's rusted and some bolts broke so they had a time getting those out.
Thing is, had to go back 2 days later cuz he didn't tightened the coolant line enough and then I had that power steering pump screech.
I took it to another mechanic and he fixed the screech no charge and just did my starter for a reasonable price.

hoping it all stays good for a few more years. I'd like to go on some long drives and enjoy the wild places.

Sounds like people are mistaking the TB belt tensioner for the A/C belt tensioner. BUT, my stupid A/C belt tensioner was starting to rust up because it's down the bottom. I'm sure some people end up replacing it. The bearing goes bad too.

I do have a new crank pulley bolt on the list, but thanks for the reminder. I'm also considering replacing the bracket that holds the fan as it has a bearing in it as well. I've seen others replace it when doing a timing belt job.

Yep.. I did mistake the verbiage. The TB tensioner comes with the kit.

My AC tensioner is looking questionable too. The adjusting bolt is a bit wobbly. Maybe I should replace it while in there.

Thanks

I'm at $696.01, which included tax and shipping. Toyota quoted me 1800 just for the TB/WP/T-stat. These were all Original Toyota Parts:

Timing Belt
Crankshaft Pulley Bolt
Idler Roller
Tensioner Roller
Water-Pump (w/gasket)
Thermostat
Thermostat Gasket
AC Compressor Belt
Alternator Belt
Power Steering Belt
Radiator Hose Upper
Radiator Hose Lower
Toyota Red Coolant
Dipstick Tube O-ring
Radiator
Crankshaft Oil Seal
Transmission Fluid

These were all Preventative Maintenance replacements, including the Radiator (which was fine). The car had 185k miles AND on the original TB, FWIW.

I did not do the VC since I knew I was going to put in an SC eventually.

EDIT: Took about 2 hours in total, one of the most straightforward projects I had ever done. I guess it's small consolation for the "gotchas" I've had to deal with on EVERYTHING else car related!!

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Every 5VZ-FE I've ever worked on had that wobbly A/C tensioner bolt. It always bends under the tension. Yet to ever see one break though.

Tightened the wobbly AC tensioner bolt back up and all is good.

Except for the massive oil leak that I have now, but that's another story.

I bought the exact same thing, and a new radiator. Did it myself.

I was pricing out this job as a diy project. Then I called a job who said they will use the Aisin kit and install the TB and WP for $850 out the door including parts and labor... I usually do my own tb and WP but it is tempting to let someone do it for a reasonable price like this..

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I've been there before, and in all cases (with One exception, a mechanic who specialized in just my weird vehicle and was very enthusiastic), I was disappointed. Not that the work didn't get done, but it was sloppy. Missing fasteners, broken clips leaving dangling wires/hoses, sometimes scratches on the body from someone leaning on it, etc...

I started doing mechanic work because I couldn't afford to pay others, I continue because the older I get, the more the saying "If you want it done right, do it yourself" presents itself as true.

I had a local shop in rural NC do it for $230 with the kit I brought them. Bought the kit (T belt, tensioner, water pump etc) years ago to install myself but couldn't get the crankshaft bolt off. The kit sat on the shelf until I shredded the belt this summer.