Of course, the belts and hoses aren’t the most expensive or largest vehicle components, but drivers should keep in mind that lack of maintenance of the belts and hoses can lead to an overheated engine, a damaged cooling system, and a loss of steering power. Here are a few signs that the belts and hoses of your vehicle need to be replaced.
1. Belts – Visible Damage
The most obvious sign that you should replace the belts of your vehicle is if there is visible damage. Most engine systems only have two serpentine belts, so you can conduct inspections easily. When inspecting the belts, you should look for cracks, premature wear, and other forms of damage. You should look closely at the outer edges of the belts. If you notice that the belts are unraveling or fraying, then your vehicle may have an underlying issue that you should deal with immediately.
Older belts tend to develop cracks around the sides, top, and bottom. However, a belt in good condition should always be flexible. If you notice that the belt is no longer flexible, you should replace it.
2. Belts – Tension
You should check the tension of the belts to decide whether they need to be replaced. Belts that are too tight will increase tension on the bearings. Excess tension can cause belt failure and misalignment. You can press down on the serpentine belts to check for tension. You should look at the amount of space the belts have to move. Excess space is a sign that the belt tensioner is no longer working properly. Therefore, you should replace the belt.
3. Hoses – Internal Damage
The best way to inspect a hose is by putting on gloves and using your hands. Unlike belts, hoses break down from the inside instead of the outside. Therefore, many drivers find it difficult to decide whether they should replace their vehicle’s hose. You should feel the hose to get a good idea of its condition.
Squeeze the hose between your fingers and thumbs to check for firmness. If the hose is spongy, you should replace it. Sponginess is a sign of weakness. You should also look for seepage, moisture, and excess grime and dirt.
Keep in mind that a degraded coolant hose can allow contaminants to enter the core of the heater. Foreign materials will enter the coolant hose through weak points. Therefore, if you find that you need to replace the hose, you should also inspect parts of your vehicle that you have connected, fastened, or clamped the hose to.
Hoses and belts are vital components of a vehicle, so you should inspect these parts regularly for signs of damage and wear. You should replace rundown belts and hoses to ensure that your vehicle functions properly. As long as you look out for the signs discussed above, you should have little trouble keeping those vital components in good running order.
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