Should I risk driving past a due car service (please read details)?

Alright, so my mechanic has told me that in about 1000km, I need to replace my timing belt. Thing is, I can't afford it, and i'm meant to be going on holiday next week (driving about 2000km). All the stuff is already booked, so I stand to lose a good amount of cash by cancelling my holiday, and still be no closer to the repairs. In short, am I likely to run into trouble letting it run about a thousand km over for the replacement?
Additional Details
He hasn't exactly put such a specific frame on it, just that it needs to be done next service, which is in 1000km. I have no idea how many km the car has done, as the engine is not original, and was second hand.

gotwheels3ne

The service that dealers, manufacturers and mechanics recommend are either suggested or required. If they say the brakes are shot or completely worn out then that is an example of you need to get it done for safety and mechanical reasons. Things like oil changes an timing belts are for the most part suggestions. Like changing your oil and filter every 3 thousand miles. Trust me the car will not seize up or self destruct if you went 1 or 2 thousand miles over. Unless the there is another mechanical problem associated with it. Timing belts are suggested to be replace every 50 to 65 thousand miles. That is to prevent the belt from possibly breaking. If you drive the car 1 to 2 thousand miles over the recommendation chances are you will be fine unless the belt is cracked or worn to the point it may break. When they say replace it at those miles it does not mean once the car reaches that mile point it automatically self destructs.

oklatom

You are rolling the dice. It may not fail at all. But if it does it's going to cost you a lot more, possibly an engine.

The manufacturers look at when timing belts fail, and get an average, which is how they know it should be replaced at a certain mileage.

So ask yourself, are you willing to chance that you may be half way into your trip and find yourself being towed to an unknown mechanic with a ruined engine?

dmocrsi

First question... how much do you trust your mechanic?

Second... how was he able to put such a specific timeframe on that timing belt?

Third... how many miles are on your car?

Travis41

There is no expiration date on timing belts,the last one I replaced on my wife's Mitsubishi Sport had 172,000 miles on it,& was still in good shape,if her oil pump hadn't gone out,it would still b on the car.Unless ur mechanic knows something u haven't revealed 2 me,don't worry about the belt.Most timing belts r manufactured by Gates Rubber Co. & r very good,better b @ around $50 average.

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