Most drivers know that there are belts and hoses that are part of their engine, but most drivers do not have any idea about how they work. Your vehicle’s engine utilizes radiator hoses, fan belts, serpentine belts, and timing belts. These components are vital to your engine performing properly. If there is wear and tear to any of these components, your engine can become severely damaged. At All Auto, we pay close attention to these hardworking belts and hoses and we will properly advise you to replace them if necessary.
Hoses
The primary hoses that we look at are the radiator hoses. Why? The radiator hoses are essential to your heating and cooling system that regulates the temperature of your engine. The hoses are located at the top and the bottom of the radiator and connect the radiator to the engine. The upper radiator hose transports hot coolant from the engine into the radiator, which circulates and cools the fluid. Once that’s complete, coolant is cycled back into the engine via the lower radiator hose. If any of these hoses begin to break down (usually due to age), a leak can manifest and the coolant can drain out of the system.
If a leak occurs, the radiator will lose coolant and it will not be able to do its job and your engine will overheat. To prevent failures, bring your vehicle to All Auto and we will check your hoses for the following issues:
• Leaks
• Low coolant
• Soft spots
• Cracks, nicks, bulges or collapses
• Heat or abrasive damage
We will do a thorough check of your radiator hoses. If we find any of the above issues, we will recommend a hose replacement and get you back on the road!
Belts
Belts are critical components to our vehicles that are constantly exposed to intense heat, abrasion and oil. You have probably heard of a serpentine belt. In most cars, the serpentine belt plays a vital role in operating multiple systems. The serpentine belt supplies power to your AC system, the alternator, water pump and the power steering pump. When a serpentine belt gets old and worn, it is a disaster waiting to happen. Ultimately, if your serpentine belt breaks, none of the critical components it powers will work.
The other major belt that is critical to your car working properly is the timing belt. The timing belt controls the camshafts of your engine, opening and closing valves at just the right time for smooth operation. Many newer cars use a timing chain, and it does not need to be replaced, but most old cars use a timing belt which will wear out over time. Depending on the vehicle and driving conditions, most timing belts need to be replaced between 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Every vehicle has a recommended schedule for replacing the timing belt. Every car with have a recommended replacement schedule in the owner’s manual for the timing belt. It is critical to the life of your engine to replace the timing belt when it is due.
Symptoms of belt issues include:
• Belts are cracked, frayed, twisted, splitting or missing any teeth
• Squealing or a chirping noises from the engine – points to slipping
• Failures such as power steering loss, battery drain or dead engine
• Engine misfires
• Oil leaking from front of engine
• A ticking noise can be heard from the engine
• Engine won’t turn over
Schedule Your Visit Today!
Although belts and hoses look like minor components of your engine, faulty belts and hoses can quickly cause extensive damage to vital systems. If you suspect a problem, come down to All Auto for an inspection and replacement!
All Auto Inc - Auto Repair Colorado 