Houston Auto Repair | Auto Answers

Automotive Belts and Hoses

While belts and hoses don't have the star power that the flashier automotive parts do, the fact remains that they are essential in the running of your vehicle and need to be replaced regularly for the parts that rely on them to keep them performing as they should. Because of the material that they are made of, they fray, stretch, get dry, crack and even snap sometimes. The hot Houston TX summers make a significant contribution to belts and hoses deteriorating. However, when a vehicle is well maintained, usually the automotive service technician responsible for vehicle care notices a belt problem before it gets a chance to snap and leave one stranded or the deterioration of a hose before it breaks away, allowing a puddle to form under the vehicle.

Important parts, such as the alternator, rely on belts to power them. It is a good idea to make checking belts a part of routine maintenance, perhaps taking the time to make sure none have slipped or are fraying when checking the oil. Catching a slipped belt before it gets chewed up or stretched out can prevent a trip to the repair shop. Noticing a frayed belt between service and maintenance visits can help avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown.

Hoses are essential, as well, and their condition should be watched carefully. Running the hands along the major hoses, such as the radiator hose, and feeling for crumbling, fraying, swelling, cracks, splits, or soft spots can detect hose deterioration. Heat can be particularly destructive to rubber hoses, which is another reason that regular maintenance is so important to the overall health and longevity of your vehicle.

Excessive heat in the engine compartment is not only a matter related to the Houston TX climate. It can also stem from a problem with the parts of the exhaust system that are in the engine compartment, from a sparking or timing problem in the ignition system, or from a problem in the cooling system, such as a broken fan or malfunctioning radiator. Maintaining these systems can help preserve the nearby hoses and belts.

If you haven't checked your belts and hoses recently, it may be a good time to do so. They should be replaced at mileage points specific to your make and model of vehicle. However, there are certain circumstances that can hasten their deterioration, such as the temperature extremes that are sometimes a feature of the Houston TX climate, so regular visual and manual inspection is a good idea, allowing you to catch a problem before it becomes a breakdown.