OK, I'm NOT the expert here. But I would caution you about what's known as an "Interference Engine". An IE is an engine who's pistons and valves interfere with each other. IF the timing is wrong you will bend valves. So be sure of what you're doing BEFORE you take anything else apart.

Here's what I ALWAYS do when changing a timing belt that hasn't yet gone bad: I'll mark (using white paint and a Q-Tip) mark the belt and the cam sprockets and crank sprocket. THEN after I remove the old belt I'll make very careful counts of the exact placement of the new belt and make the same marks. Then I'd install the new belt matching those white marks I made earlier. If the engine was running before you undertook this job then doing as I suggest is just one way you can replace your belt with a high degree of accuracy. There ARE other ways.

Now: If the engine was not running due to the timing belt then your best bet is to get a Childress or a Haynes manual and follow the directions. Those manuals are good for lots more than just a timing belt change, and you'll find many more uses for it.

Also call the dealership (if the engine is not running) and ask if your model has an "IE". If you DO and the belt has broken or skipped tooth (or teeth) then you may have substantially more damage to the engine than you as yet may realize. But if it's NOT an IE then you should be able to rotate the cams to the proper timing marks.

REMEMBER: If it's an IE engine and you rotate the cams, at some point you're going to hit the tops of some of the pistons with some of the valves, and you'll have a very expensive paperweight on your driveway. Best to know these things before you start.

Now: Assuming you KNOW the belt is bad - go ahead with repairs. While in there, if the water pump is driven by the timing belt, change that too. Also, some cars have the oil pump drive gear pulley located in that location too. You MIGHT want to change the pump as well. Now's the time to do that work. Not after you put everything back together then have to go back in just to replace that stuff later.

But on the other hand, if you're merely ASSUMING the belt is bad (for whatever reason drew you to that conclusion) before you spend any money, FULLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BEFORE YOU START. There's never any sense in buying parts in the hopes it will solve the problem. After all, you never did give us any reason why you are changing the belt. Truth is - you may well already know the belt is bad. AND you may well already know if your engine is an IE or not. I can't assume beyond the picture you painted (your question).

And not being an expert on your car I can't tell you where the timing marks are. But as a general rule (as long as it's not an IE) you turn the rotating stock (crank cam(s)) in the same direction they normally run. If CCW (Counter Clock Wise) - you turn them in that direction. You MIGHT be able to rotate them the opposite way, but I always like to keep the loading the same. Turn one one way and the other the other you can get some backlash, which could throw the timing off by a tooth. Or more.

Hope this helps.

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You can line up the marks at any time, they have to if the belt breaks so you can to. The direction won't matter the make comes up at the same position each rotation no matter which way you go, as for turning freely no it's not going to happen. They are hard to turn and some times in order to keep the mark lined up you need a tool to hold the cam as it may be starting to push down on one of the valve springs and it will want to flip off the make. Keep turning the crank the marks will come up at some point. Get a Haynes manual and read how it is done before you go any further.

Changing a timing belt is a delicate operation. If something is done wrong, you may bend the valves or cause other damage. We recommend you have the vehicle towed to the closest Kia service department or authorized Kia mechanic. Good luck!

Raul T.

Kia Social Team

NO... ,,if you already removed belt then put the belt on the way it is and then rotate ,,,more than likely you will only be off one tooth ,,,then reset ...note crank shaft rotates twice for once of cams

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