how does use car warranty work? (j)

I'm thinking of buying a used Honda civic. It has a dealer
2000 miles/2 months warranty.

Let's say I want to have my timing belt replaced because it's a used
car and I don't know the previous owner's maintenance. Would the
warranty cover my request ASAP or would they only
replace only if the timing belt broke within that warranty period?

 

You would have to ask the dealer for details. This sounds like a valid only
to that dealership warranty. Normally the timing belt isn't covered at all
under any warranty. It's considered maintenance and not a failure. Perhaps
it would be covered if it failed before the105,000 miles.

 

only if it broke. and maybe even not then. how many miles on it? honda
dealer selling it? was it serviced there? any records? if its over the
mileage/age limit for the belt, id have em do the belt and pump before
even considering the car. or knock about $500 off the price.

 

My guess is any damage from a a timing belt breaking would probably be
covered during the warranty period. However - the factory warranty
will be over by the time of the recommended timing belt replacement.

 

You have to read the warranty to get the answer to that question. Ask
the dealer and make sure that if he says something is covered, ask him
to point it out on the warrany or to give it to you in writing.

 

I looked at your post again. It sounds like:

1) The original factory warranty period (3 years/40K? miles) is up.
That would have covered an original timing belt breaking and the
resultant damage.
2) The recommended timing belt replacement of 105K miles/6 years is
not up.
3) You've got a very short dealer warranty. You need to have the
dealer point out if timing belt damage is covered. I'd guess
the likelihood of the belt crapping out is low, but just in
case.....

I would assume that the belt hasn't been replaced and work from
there. Perhaps you could negotiate the price or get a timing belt
change package with the dealer. If you do have the change, do
the water pump and belt tensioner at the same time.

Frankly - the dealer doesn't have to replace the belt. This is
considered long-term periodic maintenance, and it would be
wasteful to pull out a belt long before its scheduled replacement
interval. However - you're the customer and the dealer might meet
your demands if you ask.

 

from reading the post, i have no idea what year or how many miles. could
be a 91 civic with 160k miles on the OEM belt.

"used honda civic" doesnt tell very much.

 

You're right. Somehow I thought I saw 2000 Civic, when it was
"2000 mile warranty". If the car is rather old, a belt might be
in order. If it's an older model being sold for a few thousand
bucks, I wouldn't count on the dealer doing anything.

As said before, ask to see the terms of the warranty in writing.

 

yeah... the OP was so vague the post was pretty much worthless. kinda
like "i just bought a car... can you tell me if i need to do any
maintenance on it?"

 

I'd say, "Yes, you do." ;-)