98 V6 timing belt or chain

Does my 98 V6 SE have a timing belt or chain? I had my car towed to a shop and they said the belt slipped. I talked to the dealer who thought there was a chain and that it was almost impossible to slip.

Actually the shop that quoted $1150 the first time called me back and said he had already talked to the dealer and it was $800 to do one chain and would be silly not to do the other. When I talked with him originally he said timing belt (maybe simple mixup) but I am not going to let that cost me $1150 when he could not guarantee that was the problem.

Car ran fine 3 months ago. Needed alternator and didnt have time or money. Got alt. replaced but wouldnt start. Why would timing belt slip from when it did run to after I replaced alt?

It wouldn't unless whoever did the alt install is magical. It sounds like somesone made a boo-boo, and we really need some more information here. Also, you have a Timing Chain - the 4 banger has a belt - the sixer has a chain....two in fact...one for each side.

I've never heard of one instance of the V6 chain slipping/breaking in these cars. Sounds like this shop is clueless. What are the symptoms? Does it not start at all? Does it turn over?

Turns over fine. Just does not go vvroom. The shop said the compression was low. I dont know if that is one cyc. or all. A mech. friend said that the low comp. could be from setting for 3 months. Before I let it set for three months, if I let it set a couple days it was hard to start and I had to give it gas to fire up but once running worked fine. I did change fuel filter after it would not start but did not do any other diagnostics. (spark?, gas?)