Timming belt markings

intake cam gear line the "i" up with the dimple in the rear timing cover
exhaust gear line up the e with dimple on rear timing cover above letters there should be a mark on one of the teeth line it straight up with the coorsponding dimples in the black steel cover behind gears

you cannot ,remove the covers and check the timiing marks

Check solutions for Kia Sportage under heading. Need timing marks and ignition wiring by Brattlehead. The markings I gave him will also work for your 2001 Sportage

I can help with your timing marks.
the bottom pulley on your timing belt has a **** grove on the back part of the pulley on the seal plate behind pulley should be a mark or a triangle align those two marks
for the camshaft pulleys there should be an "l" marking on the left pulley for intake and an "E" marking for the right for exhaust side allingn each marking to the grove just above the pulleys on the seal plate directly behind the pulleys

install timing belt and make sure it isnt loose on tension side which is the right side of belt if reusing old belt make sure you have marked belt on which way belt is turning

loosen tensioner lock bolt turn crankshaft two complete revolutions in direction of rotation

make sure that marks are correctly aligned still if not start back to step one.

if ok turn crankshaft to align "S" mark of right pulley or the exhaust pulley to same mark on seal plate directly behind pulley

good luck and god speed let me know how it went

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Remove power steering and air conditioning compressor drive belt by loosening power steering fasteners.
3. Remove generator bolts and generator belt.
4. Remove water pump pulley.
5. Remove crankshaft pulley and timing belt guide plate.
6. Remove upper/lower timing belt covers.
7. Turn crankshaft clockwise until "I" mark on intake camshaft pulley and "E" mark on exhaust camshaft pulley align with marks on cylinder head cover.

Crankshaft match marks


Align marks on timing belt pulley and pump body.

Camshaft pulley alignment marks

1. Align marks on camshaft pulleys with alignment marks on seal plate.
2. Install timing belt. NOTE: No looseness should exist on the tension side and at the camshaft pulleys.
   
3. Loosen tensioner lock bolt.
4. Turn crankshaft 2 revolutions in direction of rotation and check that timing marks are still in alignment.
5. Tighten timing belt tension lock bolt to 27-38 ft lb (32-52 Nm).
6. Apply a force of 22 lbs to timing belt between camshaft sprockets.
7. Belt deflection should measure 0.30-0.33 in (7.5-8.5 mm)
8. NOTE: Replace tensioner spring if timing belt deflection is excessive.

Timing Belt Installation

1. Install lower timing belt cover.
2. Install upper timing belt cover.
3. Install power steering drive belt and adjust belt tension.
4. Install fan pulley.
5. Install generator drive belt and adjust belt tension.
6. Install A/C drive belt and adjust belt tension.
7. Install splash guard.
8. Install fan and fan shroud.
9. Install 4 fan bolts. Tighten to 24 ft lb (33 Nm).
10. Install fan shroud mounting bolts.
11. Install fresh air duct.
12. Connect hose to resonance chamber.
13. Connect battery negative cable.

the timing marks are as follows... if you are not able to see the picture the intake cam gear will line up with the mating mark on the rear cover .... the "I" needs to be straight up... the exhaust cam the E needs to be straight up. the crankshaft mark is a nothch in the rear of the crank gear which needs to line up with a pointer on the front of the aluminum oil pump housing. the keyway on the crank needs to be vertical. the marks on the rear cover are dimples in the cover. this is an interferance engine DO NOT ROTATE CRANK OR CAMS WITH BELT OFF. IF YOU HAVE BROKEN THE TIMING BELT DAMAGE TO ENGINE HAS ALREADY OCCURED AND YOU WILL NEED A VALVE JOB!!!! there is no exception on this engine. if you have tried to crank it over and the belt is broken the head is no good!

which belt?

The timing marks are just above the cams at the "twelve o'clock position"

If necessary, align the timing marks.
NOTE When aligning the cam pulleys with the seal plate marks, align the left cam pulley “I” mark and the right cam pulley on the “E” mark.

WARNING When aligning the timing marks, do not turn the timing gear counterclockwise. Damage to the engine will occur.