Many vehicle owners are unaware of just how important the belts and hoses are to the engine. Because they are constantly in use while your vehicle is running, they undergo a lot of wear and tear. Belts are responsible for powering parts like the water pump, power steering pump, air conditioning and more. The timing belt is critical to the proper operation of the crankshaft. Lastly, the hoses deliver vital engine fluids to keep parts lubricated and from overheating. What happens when the belts and hoses aren’t replaced before they break? Read on to find out about why it’s so important to replace belts and hoses.
In time, you will need to replace the belts and hoses. Belts will begin to lose their flexibility. They may start to show signs of cracking or glazing. Hoses will do the same. You may even see a hose begin to bulge before it breaks. If one of these belts or hoses does break, what would have been relatively inexpensive to replace ahead of time now becomes something that could have costly consequences. For example, a serpentine belt that breaks will prevent the coolant from circulating through the engine. In turn, the engine will overheat. If you continue to drive with an overheated engine, major damage will result.
It is especially important to change the timing belt before it breaks. The timing belt synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft so the valves open and close at exactly the right time. Imagine the belt breaking. All of a sudden everything crashes into each other damaging the valves, cylinder head or camshaft. The engine may even sustain damage to the pistons or cylinder wall. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may have to replace the engine or the vehicle. Yes, replacing the timing belt is a more costly job on a vehicle, but not as costly as an entire engine replacement.
How to Maintain Belts and Hoses
- Inspect the belts and hoses once a month to make sure there are no signs of excessive wear or aging. Note: We’ll do this for you when you bring your vehicle in for regular service.
- Make sure you have all the different engine fluids changed when they should be changed. These fluids are responsible for lubricating engine parts and making sure vital engine systems don’t overheat.
- Replace belts and hoses before the break.
Luke’s Auto Service in Verona, New Jersey, can assist you when it comes to the care of your vehicle. With each visit to our shop, we complete a courtesy inspection of your vehicle. If we find any parts that need to be replaced, we will let you know so you can have the work done before something breaks. We will also let you know when fluids and filters should be changed and can handle the vehicle maintenance as well. Schedule an appointment with our auto repair shop in Verona, NJ, today.