do i really have to take EVERYTHING apart just to change this freakin belt?

if u dont, then engine will do it... piston rings may stay on place:(

theres no easier way?

Lots ppl think that just drivin is the easy way out. uh.

The belt is warranted 60k/5yrs. This is general, and has wide errormargin. Some tell they drive 15yrs before engine is destroyed, who knows how far one can get? I drive very little, cold/north, so I plan to stretch 'my 5yrs' but I wont recommend this to anyone: I have tightened the belt one yr later as I have added a service hole for it into the cover. The slack from stretching is the main reason why belt jumps/snaps.

The VGE as most engines have a spring loadded roller. No source (!?) tells this, but releasing the roller lock hex nut, releases the spring which causes beautifull exact tension on the belt. The service is: Just loosen, tighten. Maybe this is too cheap $ervice...

Open top screws, bend/pry cover ajar, test how much loose slack there is. 20lb downward force should bend half inch... now you may know how fast belt needs action.