1999 Cadillac Catera Belt tentioners

It's a crapshoot. Maybe they are fine today and next week they aren't. The more critical one is the timing belt one as it is more labor intensive to go back into. The serpentine belt tensioner is more accessible and will give some warning signs of going bad.

If it was mine I would do the timing belt tensioner cause I'm there, serp. tensoner...if it is moving free and was not cocked when mounted, I'd re-use it.

[quote:7161809179="timandsarah2000"]Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Cadillac Catera 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 120000 miles
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We are replacing the head gaskets on our '99 Catera. What is the importance of replacing the serpentine and timing belt tentioners within the same process?[/quote:7161809179]

why are you replacing the head gaskets? oil in the coolant?

the timming belt on a catera is crucial. it gets done every 60k. and you need special tools to do it. if you dont set it up right the car will not run right

it also is an interference motor if it breaks the valves bend