It sure does sound like a timing belt issue.

Just pull off the top cover and see how much play you have between the cam pulleys, as well check how much play you have before the exhaust pulley, and after the intake pulley.

If you have more then a couple of millimetres then it's time for a change.

If you want a hand doing it, let me know. I can do a 1g timing belt in like an hour and a half! lol.

I've done way too many of them.