Where are the valve timing marks on a 1997 993cc charade

Watch this GM 2 2L Ecotec timing chain replacement 03 Cavalier part 1 Intro and valve...

best advice is to get a workshop manual for the engine
next
heads can generally be removed in car
next set the valve timing before removing the belt. check and record the position of the cam timing marks
don't move the crank after the head is pulled

https://www.scribd.com/document/487413010/Daihatsu-Engine-Mechanical-EJ-DE-and-EJ-VE

did you have the head gasket on the wrong way around by any chance blocking off the oil feed through the gasket for cams

WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST TAIL PIPE OR OVERHEATING IS BLOWN HEAD GASKET.

The 2.2 is known to "strip" the timing gear. The cam gear is made of a synthetic material. But...you could possibly have an injector bad on #1.

to remove head gasket first take off the valve cover and locate head bolts .make sure one is not broken . then remove timming belt cover and set engine to top dead center by the mark on the crank pulleyengine drive belt will also need to be removed.loosen timming belt tension ,mark belt osision and slide belt from camshaft gear .sometimes its easier to remove the gear.disconect fuel lines ,exuat pipe from manifold ,and sensor wires ,sparkplug wires and any other vacum lines wires ,ect ....that are conected the the cylinder head. before removel disconnect battery and drain cooling system. remove the head bolts ,inside and work to the outside in a circle.may need to pry head from the engine block careful .reinspect to make sure all hoses and wire ,lines are not still attached..always seems to be one thing that will still be attached..after head is removed ,you should be able to see where the gasket is damaged. clean all mating surfaces off engine block and head toinspect for cracks and damage.make it extra clean....razor blade scraper, sand paper ,brakecleaner and lots of shop towels. that is the most important to have clean surface ...install new gasket and reinstall head bolts to the proper tourque specs. parts guy can tell you if you dont know. when the head bolts are tight, this is a good time to drain oil and filter and after repair is finished install new 50/50 coolant. good luck with your repair

The popping/stalling suggests you guys got your valve timing wrong when re-fitting timing belt. Remove your cover and double-check your timing marks on cam gear and crankshaft gear. Align you timing marks.

head gasket ,sorry ,its leaking through the feed to the valve gear in the head gasket .easy to change though on these cars just make sure the parts are available as i cannot get any spares here in spain for this make of vehicle

The timing mark i on the flywheel. There is a portal, that may have a rubber plug fitted. You must pull the hoses on the distributor and block them to stop the vacuum advance while you are setting the ignition timing.

If you are trying to fit a belt you need to line up the crank pulley dimple and the camshaft sprocket dimples. The flywheel dimple is advanced about 5°. This pic shows the dimple and the line is the actual TDC.

This is the valve timing procedure here