Belts & Hoses – Automotive. Many people may not know it but even in todays high tech vehicles belts and hoses in your engine are essential to your engine, cooling, air conditioning, and electrical systems. But even with todays more durable materials don’t take them for granted, because if not properly maintained or replaced they can fail and leave you stranded or even cause serious damage to your engine.
Your timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshaft mechanically synchronized to maintain engine timing. Serpentine, v-belts, or fan belts at the front of your engine transmit power from your engine to accessories that need to powered, such as your air conditioning, alternator, and cooling fans. Radiator and heat hoses carry coolant throughout your engine, radiator, and heater core.
Below are just a few things that can contribute to wear and tear on your belts & hoses:
- Time & Age (Rubber components get brittle over time)
- Electrolytic Corrosion
- Mileage
- Oil Contamination
- Improper Belt Tension
- Failed Hose Clamps
Some symptoms of failing Belts & Hoses – Automotive include squeaking or squealing noises from under the hood when you start or run your engine, coolant leaks, and in some cars, warning lights on your dashboard. The most common and important belts and hoses are the serpentine belt, heater hoses, radiator hoses, drive belt, fan belt, and timing belt. Most newer cars use a timing chain instead of a rubber belt, which lasts longer and has less risk of slipping, but these can eventually fail too. Some cars only use one serpentine belt to power all of their accessories, while other use a combination of serpentine and v-belts, and some use only v-belts.
If you notice any symptoms of Belts & Hoses – Automotive failure, call Perez Auto Repair at 602-269-3576 or stop in at 429 S. 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009 or schedule your service today online by clicking HERE.