Just replaced the drive belts. After a week or so I noticed the lights and fan would dim/slow in the morning at idle. I snuged the belt(s) a little tighter and that fixed the charging problem, but how tight is too tight. i.e. how hard should I be able too push to deflect the belt a 1/2" Should I be able to deflect it a whole inch? Altenators and water pumps are too much hassle and ($) to replace for the simple error of over-tightening.

Thanks -Steve M.

Just make sure that you arent moving the entire accessory at the suspension bushings when pushing in on the belt (very easy to do if they are worn). an accurate reading will be the belt deflection before moving the accessory bushings.

-------Robert

Agreed. Worn accessory mount bushings can make tensioning belts properly downright impossible.

I automatically do them when I do an alternator. They cost about $8 each from a dealer, about half that from rprusa.com or swedishengineering.com

Or find a low-mileage 240 at the junkyard... That's what I do.

Evan

Aren't the specs 1 cm or a half inch deflection under moderate finger pressure? I agree with you about overtightening. Since I started leaving some slack in the belts, I have never worn out a (Volvo) waterpump. Been about 8 years or so.