Q: How can I tell if it's my timing chain or something else?

Hi, thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, I will need a bit more information before confirming if the issue lies in your timing chain or not. Your car can certainly run and start with a timing issue, however it is not safe and will most likely cause your ride to be shaky and rough. I suggest you having one of our local mechanics perform a tune-up on your vehicle before anything else, especially before replacing a timing chain, before spending a lot of money on replacing it if it didn’t even need to be replaced. I have found that most often than not, engine mounts are the reason for your car shaking while at idle. Good luck and I hope this helps!