Basically as the title says, could an overtightened serp belt cause over heating? It was squealing so I just kinda cranked 'er down. I didn't notice anything at the time cause I wasn't really paying attention. Is it possible? It hasn't gotten into the red (at least according to the crappy gauge, but damn close)

Having the serpentine belt too tight can cause premature failure of the bearings in the power steering pump, alternator, and smog pump. Pretty much anything that it travels across but I think that the water pump bearings would have to go bad and the pump fail before it would cause overheating problems.

Many things can cause overheating problems. Flushing the cooling system and replacing the thermostat is the first place you should start; that is unless you have an obvious leak.

I'm not 100% that its overtightened, I just winged it and the idea popped into my head when I began running a lot hotter, according to the gauge anyways.

I put my belt too tight and the power steering pump started to whine. I loosend it to where I could move the belt a half inch and the whine was no longer.

Is it still over heating?

If you have a belt tension gauge the spec is 180-200 lbs for a new belt, 140-160 for an old one. If not install the belt and tighten the tensioner until snug, start the engine turn on all accessories and goose the gas pedal. If the belt slips shut off engine and tighten the tensioner a little more, repeat until the belt no longer slips.

When was the last time the cooling system was serviced? Unfortunately if a system is negelcted for too long the chances of restoring it are almost nill.

Belt tension is EASY to get correctly. Place a straight edge from one pulley to another, preferably over the span of 12+ inches. The belt should deflect 1/2 an inch. ITS THAT SIMPLE! I have never heard of an overtightened belt causing overheating though. Not saying it couldnt, but in my life Ive never heard that.

Figured it probly wouldn't, but I was kinda hoping it might have been that easy. I drove her home from school yesterday, 150 miles down I-70 for those who know Colorado and she was pushing the red zone,according to the gauge, which sucks. Then once I got on flatter ground it hung right around 235-240.

Oh and I actually went and checked it earlier,turns out its fine.

Check your fluid level. Make sure youre not losing fluid. Change your t-stat. Basics in order. If those things are all fine, now you need to do some exploring.

Fluid level is fine, nice and green. Guess I got some work to do.

Change the t-stat. Cheap & simple and the cause of a lot of overheating problems. If thats fine THEN youve got some work to do.