Every fall, many car owners change or
replenish the engine's anti-freeze, but are
reluctant to replace the coolant-carrying
hoses.
Engineers at The Gates Corporation 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. Older cast
iron engines could withstand overheating far
better than today's mostly aluminum engines.
An overheated engine can quickly warp engine
head gaskets, which are considerably more
expensive to replace than a couple of hoses.
Replace Coolant Hoses. 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 these coolant hoses at
this time.
Due to the cost and inconvenience caused
by hose failure while driving, Gates says
preventive maintenance is the key to making
sure your car is ready for winter motoring.
|
Top Ten Causes Of Coolant Hose
Failure
10. Ozone damage.
9. Nicks, cuts and abrasion.
8. Improper clamping.
7. Internal/external oil
contamination.
6. Excessive engine vibration.
5. Stop and go driving.
4. Low coolant & overheated
engine.
3. Water pump failure &
overheated engine.
2. Thermostat failure &
overheated engine.
1. Electrochemical degradation
resulting in a blown hose or
pinhole leaks.
Change hoses every four years,
says Gates Corporation |
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be
Car Care Aware” campaign, educating consumers about the benefits
of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. To see the Car Care
Council’s free service interval schedule, visit www.carcare.org.
