As part of routine car maintenance, most dealerahips, like Bossier Chrysler Dodge Jeep, say you should be checking your car’s hoses each month. Checking for cracked or damaged hoses can help catch leaks before they start. It can also find car problems before they get started. When hoses start to leak, the radiator coolant can start to leak out and then the radiator can start to overheat. When it overheats, it can cause some very expensive repairs. A cracked engine block can be a repair that can cost more than the car is worth in the case of many older cars.
Checking the hoses is simple. You will be looking for hoses that seem like they are aged, worn or cracked. These are the hoses that will be leaking or might start to leak soon. Before you start, make sure that the engine is cold. Do not start this process if the car has been running. After popping the hood, locate the radiator. It is always in the front of the car.
Find the radiator hoses. There should be two hoses attached to the radiator, one coming from the top and one coming from the bottom. Again, make sure the engine is cold, and squeeze each hose. If the hose does not have give to it, feels brittle or had a crunchy feeling, it is old and should be replaced.
Check the clamp on the end of each hose. If the clamps feel damp, it needs to be tightened or it needs to be replaced. This is a sign that the hose is leaking at the clamp. The clamps should be tight enough that the hose cannot be moved or turned.
Look at each hose for frayed ends, cracks and tears. Any hose that shows these damage signs need to be replaced right away.
By doing this simple check each month, you can head off some problems before they have a chance to start. If you do have an issue and need a new car, Northwest Dodge in Houston has a wide selection to choose from.
Leave a Reply