DO YOU WONDER “HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY BELTS AND HOSES CHECKED?” – All about Belts and Hoses Replacement

One of the more common reasons for unexpected roadside breakdown is because car owners ignore Belts and Hoses Replacement.

Belts and hoses should be checked with every oil change. All the rubber parts on your car can wear out more quickly than others and you should pay special attention to them. In fact, in many cases we find, some of the belts and hosts look good on initial insepection – until we take a closer look. Things like wiper blades, motor mounts, belts, hoses and tires just don’t last as long due to the heat and the extreme dry conditions.

HOSES

Typically, most hoses fail from the inside out. That means they may look good if you quickly check under the hood, but there may be problems you can’t see.

Rubber hose deteriorates with age and exposure to heat. The hose material can become hard and brittle. Tiny cracks develop in the rubber which eventually cause the hose to split, blister or leak.

Oil on the outside of coolant hose can also accelerate the breakdown of the hose material. Today’s bimetal cast iron/aluminum engines and aluminum radiators can create conditions that set up an electrical current in the coolant. The inside surface of the hose becomes a conductor, which causes the material to pit and weaken. Cracks and striations tend to form near the ends of the hose that eventually eat through from the inside out causing the hose to fail.

BELTS

Likewise, belts deteriorate with heat and mileage. Every time a belt passes around a pulley, it bends and flexes. This produces heat in the belt which hardens the rubber over time. The wear process can be greatly accelerated if the belt is loose and slips.

The additional friction between belt and pulley will make a belt run even hotter. After millions of such journeys around the pulleys, even the best drive belt begins to suffer the effects of age.

The rubber begins to crack and fray, and the internal cords become weakened and brittle. If your belt breaks you will lose whatever functions powered by the belt like your water pump, alternator, power steering, air conditioning, and more.

When it comes to checking your belts and hoses – and keeping you and your family safe from unexpected roadside breakdown, stop in an visit your trusted repair automotive garage in South Windsor CT.

You can book your belts and hoses inspection or next auto service at Precision Motor Coach in South Windsor CT online or pick up the phone and call us at 860-650-1300. You’ll be glad you did!