The belts and hoses in your vehicle provide some of your engine’s most important functions. Under normal driving conditions, your belts and hoses are exposed to heat, vibrations, and other conditions that cause wear and tear. Replacing your belts and hoses should be a regular part of your car repair procedures. Here are some of the fundamentals of vehicle belt and hose maintenance:
Timing Belt Your timing belt is a notched rubber belt that controls the camshafts in your engine. The timing belt turns the camshaft in time with the crankshafts, allowing your engine valves to open and close at precisely the right time. If your timing belt fails, the valves and pistons can become stuck, which will cause major damage to your engine. To prevent timing belt failure, schedule a belt replacement.
Serpentine Belts The serpentine belt provides power to a variety of engine systems, including the air conditioning compressor, power steering, cooling fan, and more. If your serpentine belt malfunctions or breaks, all of the systems it powers will stop working. To prevent serpentine belt failure, your mechanic should regularly inspect the belt for wear and cracks. You can also tell that your serpentine belt is damaged if you hear a screeching noise when you start your car.
Coolant Hoses The coolant system prevents your engine from overheating by cycling fluid between the engine and the radiator. Coolant hoses are flexible hoses that allow the fluid to flow between the parts of your coolant system. You should have your mechanic check your coolant hoses regularly. If the hoses become damaged or cracked, they can burst, which will cause your engine to overheat.
At Casey Automotive, we have over 35 years of experience in providing top quality automotive service to our customers in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Prospect Heights, and the surrounding areas. Our expert mechanics will make sure that you are up to date with all of your key auto repair and maintenance procedures. To schedule an appointment at one of our Chicago area auto repair centers, give us a call at (866) 709-3522.