Serpentine belt replacement pitfalls?

[pipspeak]

After hearing the stealership wants $250 to change a drive belt (4th Gen V6) I decided to do it myself using a $28 Gates belt (dealership wanted $50 even for the Tacoma belt). However, after watching a few videos and looking at how inaccessible some of the routing looks in the engine compartment I cannot believe it’s as easy as people have said.

So To be adequately prepared, I want to hear any horror stories about changing the belt. None of this “it took me 10 minutes” sunny optimism! More along the lines of “it took me 2 hours and shredded my arms” stuff, so I know what to be ready for.

 

[ZebRuaj]

No horror story here.

It's not that hard. Can be done through the top if your upper torso/limps are long enough. Or utilize top and bottom if you can't reach to help assist with routing.

*Have a picture of the routing. Helps.
*Long breaker bar or cheater bar for best leverage of auto-tensioner.
*Lay your belt out for a few days. Helps relieve the bends. Or get someone to help you hold the belt on a few pulleys.

If you've done other belt changes, you should be able to do the V6. There's more room in this engine bay than other cars I've changed belts on.

 

[kgbagent]

Get yourself a 14mm box-end OFFSET wrench if you do not have one. Route the belt through all pulleys except the top left (AC? Can't remember). From above, place the wrench on the tensioner bolt so that it is in roughly the 4 o'clock position. With right hand, pivot the wrench counterclockwise (reverse threads) to get some slack and with your left hand, route the belt over the final pulley. Release the tensioner. Done.