l was accelerating and l think when it shifted from 1st to 2nd, it kinda shook and died then engine check light comes on. anyways later l check it out and belt is off the track. my buddy says he thinks l have bent valves, what do you think?
it turns and cranks but doesnt fire on when l try to start it.
it was the timing belt

well..you screwed your engine..the timing belt should have been changed at 80,000 miles and if it wasn't, well you're out one engine.if it was and it was not done correctly, well you're still out an engine.always make sure you check belts often, especially in an 'older' car.

If you're going to do it yourself, remove the head and check all exhaust/intake valves. Make sure none of them have gouged the pistons. Replace any bent valves, replace any seals, replace timing belt, replace pistons (if necessary) and set the timing again. Good luck.

Yeah if the timing belt came off the track, then you have a really good chance that you bent some of the valves. Seems like you did since you can crank it but it wont fire up. If you know how to do it, remove the head and take a look. If you do not know how to, get a mechanic to check it out. Either way, your out a motor most likely, so you will have to rebuild it or find another used engine of the same type and put that one in.

Yes, you bent 4 of the 8 exhaust valves most likely and a good chance the other 4 have a slight bend and thus no compression on any cylinder.

Lesson learned: Always do your timing belt replacements. In the humid and mild northeast, you can get away with 100-120k miles. In the hot, dry southwest, do NOT try to get past the rated 90k miles (or 60k on older cars).