I brought a ford focus 1.6 04 plate with 154k on the clock (got it cheap!). It is up to 155k now had it about 3 months.
My mechanic advised me to change the timing belt and water pump asap which I will do as I trust his advice however I need to wait until I have the money.
I've been reading up quite a lot and the recommended mileage for this change is 100k, most people say get it changed between 70-80k to be safe.
Therefore in my head I'm thinking to make it to 155k without the belt snapping surely this means it must have been changed at some point or it would have gone already by now right?
I'm hoping to get it done in a week and a half however I'm getting paranoid every time I drive the car now, plus I need to do about 400 miles this weekend which is getting me worried.
So I guess my questions are:
Do you think the belt has been changed in its life (we have no history of the car)? Is there any indication it could be on its way out (noises, vibrations, etc.)? What am I expect if it does snap (how can I avoid crashing if it goes)?
Thanks in advanced!