Hi All - new to forum, pardon any faux pas....

I changed alternator on my GF's 2000 S-Type 3.0L yesterday, but seemed to have difficult time getting belt tight again. She started car to let it re-charge battery, but when she went to check on it (45 min later), she couldn't shift out of neutral and dash light "High Engine Temp" was on and needle pinned to red zone. Told her not to drive it, have it towed to local mechanic (I am now 120 miles away and NOT going back up AGAIN today!). She also said seems to have lost power steering.

I'm wondering if I did in fact not get the belt tight enough and the power steering and fan wheels were not getting engaged enough by the belt to produce proper turning speed?

Seems there should be an easier way to get the tensioner adjusted to normal tightness, what did I miss?

Thanks!

 

The tensioner is spring loaded so should set it's own tension.
I fear that may be the least of your problems if the engine has been severely overheated.

 

Thanks Norri..... Fortunately the engine did not overheat. However as I suspected the belt tensioner was not tight enough And while she was recharging the batteries letting it run the belt slip off shredded to pieces. New belt tensioner 340 bucks from local mechanic not that bad considering