If you have an OBD2 reader plug in and look for fault codes. Cam and crankshaft sensors can cause all sorts of running issues and will flag up as a fault with a code. If your cam belt or chain has skipped a tooth, yes it is possible! you may get a cam shaft positioning code and investigation will show that the cams if there are two, will be out of sink with each other, ie. one has skipped a tooth or two and you will be surprised at what running issues you can get. No, it's unlikely that you will get interference between valves and pistons but you will get out of cinque compression/exhaust opening times on one bank of valves and some knocking! If suspected invest in an aftermarket set of cam and crank locks and check alignment. Chain tensioners usually have hydraulic/mechanical tensioners, the mechanical applies a certain level of tension but only enough to keep things in place when not running, rather it relies on the oil fed pressure to do the real job and they are notorious at wearing out and letting oil leak out!. First symptom is chain noise on start up for 5-10 seconds. Act on this before the chain fails!
