StratfordShark

I'm sure I read somewhere (I think Wally Plumley's notes on TB) that the belt has a rotation direction, and the correct installation is with lettering readable from front of engine bay (like the harmonic balancer numbering).

The last belt job on my car was done by previous owner through a Porsche dealer, and it's wrong way up! So is it true that there's a rotation direction, and this is wrong? Don't seem to be any ill-effects. What's the worst that could happen with belt reversed?

Also when I was removing centre cover, I noticed a threaded hole with nothing attached to it. With cover removed I could see the thread is the part of the water pump that projects furthest from the block. What is meant to bolt in here? I'm using Dwayne's instructions, and his photos show just the hole here too!

PS the crank is locked at 45 BTDC, hence the cam looks 3 teeth off!

soontobered84

I can't believe that you engine has been running backwards all this time and you've never noticed it!!

jetson8859

It could be an original Australian car, that would explain it!

StratfordShark

Doh! I meant orientation, not rotation. Brain fart etc.

So does it matter which way round the belt is strung?

The Deputy

If it mattered...the manufacturer would make note of it...and they don't. Granted, it makes reading the part number easier when facing outtward towards the front.

Brian.

soontobered84

Well of course!! That explains it perfectly!

Jfrahm

Yes it's a convention (and a good one) to put the belts on so the text is readable while looking at the motor despite the convention that the left/right direction is usually from the driver's POV. If a belt is removed and reinstalled it's much better to put it back on the way it came and this convention helps if you forget to mark the belt.

I just put a serpentine belt on my A8 and I'm mildly annoyed that I put it on the other way.