2001 kia sephia timing marks

SOURCE: 2001 kia sephia timing belt DOHC 1.8 T8

If your timing belt came off when the motor was running, there 2 possible scenarios:

Motors are interference (pistons hit valves if motor spins <=2 revolutions without a functioning belt/chain) or not.

1. if kia 1.8 motor is an "interference" engine ... major damage already occured, at best valve stems are bent and you have to pull the head to install new valves, at worst, a piston now has a hole in it and you get to do a full rebuild.  I'm now praying for you;~).

2. if it's not an interference engine ... joy is you,  you rotate the cams whichever way you want and pistons do not hit valves ... and as they say in England "Bobs your uncle" ... ask a Brit.

I'm guessing that Kia doesn't build an interference motor with a belt ... the dealer or any shop with access to a good paid automotive database can tell you if the motor is interference or not. 

The standard explaination for rotating forward ... which is not necessarily clockwise, has to do with tensiong the belt and how you get the tensioner in the correct position to do its job ,,, which is to keep the timing belt from jumping teeth.  Each motor can be slightly different for tensioning the belt, so you need the specific instructions for your year car with the 1.8 motor.  If the manual says you need special Kia tool "XYZ" ... get it or an close equivalent, don't try to use a pair of vicegrips clamped to a  screwdriver. 

You need to spend $20 for a Haynes manual for your car.  Now you or I might think for a minute that what they say in the haynes manual isn't the easiest way ... but then we would probably be wrong. 

Having done several timing belts, engine rebuilds and general maintenance over the years ... I can tell you this sincerely ... advice from someone (haynes in your case) who has actaully done the job you are embarking on is worth more than $20 if you are doing a job that takes more than a couple of hours.  The specific stepwise instructions they have will get you successfully to the place where you have a new timing belt and the motor runs right by the shortest path.   And one of the biggest benefits in doing a job of any complexity, it that you have written stepwise reassembly procedure documented ... so you don't end up at step 17 in the reassembly ... just to realize you didn't do step
9 .. that now requires to take stuff apart for the second time !^%$@!

Good luck ... you'll feel great when the thing is purring again.

..ajm

SOURCE: timing belt marking

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.

SOURCE: how to set the timing in the kia sephia 2000 model

You need a timing light and a new belt

SOURCE: Timing belt replacement for 2001 Kia Sephia

For California models recommended at 105,000 miles.Belt needs to be inspected at 60,000 and 90,000, miles and replace at 105,000 miles.
Except California replace at 60,000 miles. Note 1.8L engine is a interference engine, if timing belt goes bad will cause major internal engine damage.

SOURCE: 2001 kia sportage timing marks 2.0 motor

there are 2 for the cams, one for crankshaft and one for oil pumpshaft.
have illustrations if you need them.