If you have any friends that know about cars, they could probably show you, where it's at. I had an '89 Accord, when look at the engine it was directly to the right. There was a cover on it. But to actually check the timing you need a special timing gun among other things. If you just bought the car, private owner. I'd take it to a shop performance or what not and have it thourghly looked at, cost me about $60. But it can save you a lot of heart ache. make sure they are going to take your car out first and drive it around, so they can try and figure the problem. They would no more than I.