How to check for jumped timing

Im having issues with a horrible running V6. Its a mfer to get it to run then when it does run it backfires through the breather. It was running fine when we shut it off. I have cleaned the MAF sensor and cleaned the throttle body and IAC.I have checked all the spark plugs and they are firing. Im thinking that it jumped time. Is there a way to check it without taking the cover off?

 

How long did it sit? What makes u think it skipped a tooth on the belt? It wouldn't skip timing just sitting there. If it sat for a long time maybe bad gas?

 

It only sat for about an hour. Iv heard that the main times one would jump is at start up and high rpms. The backfiring is why im thinking it might have but im not convinced. I just wanted to rule it out without breaking down the front of the engine. The motor has just over 200 miles on it and I don't know if it has ever been changed or not. I have planned on changing the belt just so I would know but frankly there have been bigger fish. Ive only owned the truck for about three months. Been cracking one nut at a time

 

Is your water pump leaking? How old is your timing belt?
My pump had a very slow leak that I did not know about that apparently helped cause my timing belt to jump a couple teeth.
This was a few years ago. Hadn't driven the Taco for a week or so and hopped in to grab lunch one day, only got a few blocks from home when the engine suddenly died. Restart was impossible, lots of backfire out the intake. Timing belt had somehow jumped a couple of teeth.
My guess is the stock belt was already worn (107,000 miles on it, should have replaced it sooner) and probably the week of exposure to the leaking coolant either stretched or lubricated it enough for slippage. Luckily there was no engine damage. Had to pay a tow truck driver $60 to tow it 8 blocks to my mechanic, should have just pushed it for that price!
Replaced the water pump and timing belt and have had no problems since. Going to make sure I replace both again when I hit 200,000 miles so this never happens again.
Good luck!

 

You are going to have to pull off the timing cover and align the marks. If they are not lining up correctly, that is your issue right there.

 

I pulled the cover off and checked the timing this morning. With the crank indicator on 0 the two camshaft pulleys were straight up so I guess it is good. While I was doing this I found a sticker that said the last belt change was at 84,000. Holy cow that means I have 140 on this belt. Ordering parts now.
Its acting a bit different than it was this morning. Without giving it any gas it will start up purr like it should just for a few seconds then shut off. Any attempt to give it gas just makes it shut off faster. You can hear it suck air and stumble when you pat the gas then it tries to pick up once you let off the gas but then stumbles and dies again.

 

from your explanation it sure sounds like the fuel pump or fuel filter is causing the grief

 

Gearcruncher was right, I have a bad fuel pump. We checked the pressure and only had 15 lbs at the fuel filter. I just couldn't get why it would run and backfire. It was explained to me that low pressure caused a lean situation in the intake which is why it backfired. I learned a bit on this one. Thanks guys for your help and input.