Replace hoses before they blow
Every spring, many car owners will have their engine's cooling and air conditioning systems serviced, but they are reluctant to have the coolant-carrying hoses inspected and replaced.
Engineers at Gates Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of aftermarket belts and hoses, offer the following considerations in favor of inspecting hoses annually and changing them every four years:
Eliminate inconvenience. A coolant hose on the verge of failure may not burst in the driveway or in the repair shop. Most often, hoses fail on the road, whether on a busy street or on a lonely country highway. The cost of a tow usually exceeds the cost of a hose replacement.
Avoid more serious damage. An overheated engine can quickly warp engine head gaskets, which are considerably more expensive to replace than a couple of hoses.
Hose replacement is simple and fast. Several hoses are disconnected or removed whenever service is performed on cooling system components such as the radiator, water pump, heater core and thermostat. It's more opportune and less expensive to replace hoses at this time.
Due to the cost and inconvenience caused by coolant hose failure, Gates says preventive maintenance is the key to making sure your car is ready for summer motoring.
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