How do you know If the timing belt went out on a 2005 ford explore

will sound terrible, wont start, will sound like the motor is cranking with ease.

do agree its a chain not belt

The V6 has two cam chains, one on each side of the engine for each bank of cylinders. One is on the front, one is on the rear. The engine has to come out to service the one on the rear. Why do you suspect the chains?

If there is a constant ticking in the engine on start up. At first, the ticking will go away when the oil pressure mutes the chain ticking as it warms up. When it gets worse, the ticking won't go away even after it has warmed up. That is why it is good to do a "cold start" on the exploder to see if the chain tension is good (no ticking at all).