Yes, the shims are used to adjust the belt tension. = To tighten the belt tension, remove shims as needed from between the pulley halves, = and place them under the pulley bolts. To loosen the tension, take shims = from under the bolt heads and add between the pulley halves. As you tighten the = bolts in either case, make sure to rotate the engine to allow the pulley to come together.
 
Karl
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill = Johnson
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, = 1999 10:13 PM
Subject: Belt Adjustment

I am unsure if the water pump to crank V belt is = adjustable on the 1.6 diesel.  Page 19.4 of Bentley's shows shims on the = water pump pulley.  I am don't know how this works to loosen or tighten a belt.  Can anyone help?
 
Bill