I've wondered about this also:

- too loose, and the belt may squeal (maybe other problems if it is too
loose).
- too tight, and the water pump bearing might wear out more quickly (pretty
sure an overly tight belt caused my last water pump failure).

Roland

On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 7:13 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <
camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:

> Something I've never understood about tightening the belt. Instructions
> usually say something like:
>
> "Be careful not to get the belts too tight. You should have
> slight (1/8" - 1/4") deflection in the belts after they are adjusted.
> This of course depends on the length of the belt."
>
> <http://www.vanagonauts.com/**printable.phtml?&catid=215<http://www.vanagonauts.com/printable.phtml?&catid=215>
> >
>
> How much pressure do you put behind your thumb when testing? I can
> deflect the belt anywhere from not much to a lot more by pressing harder!
>
> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> Bend, Ore.
> 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
> 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
> San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
>
> Sent from my kitchen.
>