Original Post: I am at the point where I need to change my radiator hoses and serpentine belt. I had the dealership do the belt for me the first time and it was $90 for labor. For the radiator hoses they want to charge me $72. I already ordered samco radiator hoses and a replacement serpentine belt. So I am wondering ...... spend the $170 to have them installed or do it myself? I found a few how to's for both but did not see any feedback on how long it takes or how difficult it really is. To me it doesn't seem too bad. Any feedback? Thanks!

Edited: Serpentine belt and Radiator hoses are done
The belt was actually pretty easy to do. I followed the input from Az3ar, Cajun, and Joe's How To. I decided not to take the right front tire off like others have done. With the front end off the ground (ramps, jacks, or whatever your preference) it's not too hard to get the 1/2" breaker bar into the tensioner. After I desengaged the tensioner and locked it open with an allen wrench I was able to pull the 1/2" breaker bar out which helped a lot for access. Also, I have the undertray off (I put an AMS LICP on a month ago and knew that I needed to do the belt and hose thing so left it off for now). I pulled the original belt off in less than 5 minutes and had the new belt on in about 20. The new belt is definately harder to get on than the old belt coming off. I was not able to get it all the way on the last pulley (which for me ended up being the largest one on the bottom, not sure what that one is). I was only able to get it about 1/2 way on the pulley. I used a small board, screw driver, and other misc objects to get it the rest of the way on but no luck. So I figured that would be good enough to let the starter finish the job for me. I cranked over the engine, then shut it down right away and presto ........ the belt was on.

The hoses were pretty easy to do also. It took longer to do (about two hours) but the work was pretty easy. Here's how I did it:
- Removed the air intake scoop and cover, upper IC pipe, battery, and hose for valve cover breather (tip: don't have you head directly over the IC pipe as you pull it off, it really hurts when it pops off and hits your mouth ...... er, I mean it could really hurt if that were to happen ....... I am just guessing)
- Drain the radiator fluid (drain plug on passenger side bottom of radiator)
- Remove upper and lower hoses (tip: use a utility knife to cut the hose off the metal fittings on the engine, I could not even start to twist the hoses off those fittings)
- Put new hoses on (I did the lower first then the upper)
- Put all the pieces back on the refill the fluid
(I have the prepaid maintenance so I am getting new radiator fluid next week from the dealership)
Both jobs were pretty straight forward. Definately worth the $160 you save when you do it yourself.

Here's a few pics

 

I've never changed radiator hoses on an evo before but they're pretty much all the same.
1. Drain the coolant.
2. Remove or move the clamps further down the hose and pull hose out. Repeat this four times for the 2 ends of the upper hose and the 2 ends for the lower hose.
3. Installation is reverse of removal.

As for the belt you have to remember how it goes back so take pictures. Your probably better off taking that to a professional.

 

Do it yourself if you have the right tools. All you need to do is empty the radiator, loosen the hoses and slowly pull them out. Install the new ones which is straight forward. For best access just remove your air box and of course the bottom tray.

For the belt:

Remove the front passenger tire. There will be a small circle on the plastic that you can pop out. Using a half inch drive you can loosen the belt (you will see a socket there. Take the old belt off and put the new one in.

Make sure the new one is as tight “not too tight” as the old one and in the middle on all the balancers. Not hard to do but you have to have some knowledge, good tools and take it easy.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Az3ar,
Here is the how to I found on the belt. Looks pretty reasonable to me, just not sure how long it will take (about an hour-ish?)
Joe's belt how to
As far as your "good tools" comment ...... is there anything that I need beyond the 1/2" drive breaker bar (for the belt change)?

 

Yes you are right; it would take about an hour for a first timer. I always say good tools because I am not sure what problems you might face. However, a good have inch drive is really all you need.

Once you loosen the bracket the belt will come loose immediately and you can pull it out. The hard part is to put it back on while holding the ratchet so you can slip the belt over the last balancer. Having someone help you to hold the ratchet would be great, but I was able to do it on my own with a numb arm in the end.

The belt will only go in one way (too short for any other configuration) just remember how it looked before you took the original one off and do it.

Don’t worry

 

OK, for one person to change the belt. There is a hole in the belt tensioner and in the bracket that it is attched to. once those holes line up stick an allen wrench in both holes and you can let go of the 1/2 drive. Then change the belt, put tension back on the 1/2" drive, remove the allen wrench, let tension off the tensioner, remove 1/2" drive. DONE.

 

Updated: The belt is on, see the first post for details.

 

Updated again, Samco hoses are on. Pics included in first post.