Hoses and Belt Repair and Maintenance
Coolant/Radiator Hoses
These hoses allow coolant to flow between the engine and the radiator.
Maintenance and automobile:
Coolant and radiator hoses should be checked twice a year by an AAMCO mechanic (and are inspected as part of AAMCO's ProtectCheck ). Hoses should be changed at least every four years, or more often as needed to prevent leaks and bursts. Please refer to your owners manual for factory recommended maintenance intervals for your specific automobile. Bring your automobile to the mechanics at AAMCO.
Drive Belt, Fan Belt, Serpentine Belt
Drive belts connect the engine to front-mounted accessories; a more traditional term for that is a fan belt. There are two types of belts, a traditional "V" belt (called that due to its shape) and the serpentine belt. Virtually all automobiles today have serpentine belts. These belts can wear over time, and a moderate cost part could cause more expensive repairs to be necessary.
Maintenance and automobile:
Belts should be inspected by an AAMCO mechanic every time the oil is changed (and are inspected as part of AAMCO's ProtectCheck ). Please refer to your owners manual for factory recommended maintenance intervals for your specific automobile.
A rule of thumb is failure rates for serpentine belts are much higher after 50,000 miles, and for the "V" shaped belts, 36,000 miles. If you have any questions or concerns, a trained mechanic at your local AAMCO auto repair shop can pinpoint any potential problems, potentially saving you money and the inconvenience of a breakdown.
Timing Belt
The majority of today’s automobiles have timing belts, although some still use timing chains. The timing belt drives and synchronizes important components of the engine.
Maintenance and automobile:
Please refer to your owner’s manual for timing belt maintenance information for your specific automobile; there is likely a specified mileage interval where replacement is required. If you have any questions or concerns, a trained mechanic at your local AAMCO auto repair shop can pinpoint any potential problems, potentially saving you money and the inconvenience of a breakdown.
