Belt & Hose Replacement
Over a period of time, radiator hoses and serpentine belts lose their ability to expand and contract and need to be replaced.
Rubber hoses tend to deteriorate and become hard and brittle with age and also because of extended exposure to heat. These hardened and brittle hoses develop tiny cracks that eventually cause them to blister, leak or split. Atmospheric ozone and oil contamination only accelerate this deterioration process.
Every time the belt passes around a pulley, it bends and flexes. This generates heat that causes the rubber belt to harden and become more prone to cracking. The wear process gets accelerated if the belt keeps slipping because it is even slightly loose.
Most car owners ignore this aspect of car maintenance. Unfortunately, this can come at a high price. When the malfunction does happen, it will happen suddenly, causing an instant breakdown and leaving you stranded on the road. The only way to avoid this inconvenient and expensive scenario is to get your vehicle’s belts and hoses checked at every oil change. It is equally important to replace all belts and hoses at specific recommended intervals. A vehicle has several belts and hoses including fuel, emission and vacuum hoses as well as coolant and radiator hoses.
Regular inspections coupled with timely replacements of these relatively inexpensive parts will help prevent unexpected and expensive roadside breakdowns and serious engine damage due to overheating.
Recommendations For Belt And Hose Replacement
Hose Replacement: Most hose manufacturers recommend that hoses should be replaced every 3 to 4 years.
Belt Replacement: V-belts should be replaced every 3 to 4 years or 36,000 to 40,000 miles.
Even if all looks fine with your vehicle when you do a simple visual inspection, it is important to remember that the incidence of failure rises sharply after the 3rd year for belts and after the 4th year for hoses.
Don’t wait till it’s too late to replace your vehicle’s belts and hoses. At Orleans AutoPro, our experienced professionals will first do a visual inspection and check for blisters, cracks and other visible damage that would indicate a need for immediate replacement. When it comes to these inexpensive but important car parts, preventative maintenance is key to saving yourself a lot of unnecessary grief and expense down the line.