QuestionI have gone through 5 water pumps and 2 alternators in the past two years, ever since I had the belt replaced. My mechanic cannot find anything wrong that would cause this, yet my father-in-law, who has owned many cadillacs throughout the years claims there is a way to adjust the tension control. When I told my mechanic this, he stated that the tensioner is automatic and that the tension is set on "normal operating range" and that there is no way that he can see to make this adjustment... so my question is... IS THERE A WAY TO ADJUST THE TENSION OF THE BELT... it is obviously to tight if I am going through so many water pumps.
AnswerNO, There is NO WAY to adjust the tensioner. Which is why they call them AUTOMATIC TENSIONERS.
The usual reasons that you are going thru so many water pumps and alternators is that either:
1. The water pump and or alternator is not PERFECTLY aligned and is cocked slightly thus not putting even pressure on the water pump and alternator pulleys.
There are numerous times when you have to apply shims to these components and or the FIRST person who replaced the components did not properly align the items.
Yes, the older cadillacs you were able to adjust the tightness of the belts, But NO MORE.
Are you POSITIVE that you have the correct belt on the vehicle.
Could the bearing in the tensioner pulley be worn and cocking the belt ?.
I have run acroos this problem many times and aresolution is the correct belt, A good tensioner and tensioner pulley bearing and the proper alignment of the components.
