BELT & HOSE REPLACEMENT
While belts and hoses may not be perceived by some as the major components of your car, your engine may have difficulty functioning if something is wrong with them. That’s why it’s crucial to listen for unusual sounds, perform visual checks, and have your belts and hoses routinely inspected because they don’t often provide direct signs if replacement is necessary.
The belts and hoses on your car are susceptible to heat exposure, vibration, and contamination, making them wear out faster than most other components in your car. That’s why regular inspection and maintenance is essential to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Routine inspections and maintenance can help improve fuel efficiency, achieve peak performance, and even help prevent costly repairs down the road. Because most belts and hoses fail on the inside, it’s difficult to determine the exact condition by outward appearances.
Belt & Hose Replacement Services in Texas
Sun Auto Services has locations all throughout Texas in and around Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Find a location today to replace your belt or hose, we’re happy to assist you.
Belt & Hose Replacement Services in Nevada
In Nevada, we have multiple Sun Auto Service locations in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson. Find the location nearest you to replace your belt or hose, our ASE-Certified Technicians will be happy to assist you.
At Sun Auto Service, our business is keeping your car running safely. Our ASE-Certified Technicians ensure that maintenance and repairs are performed correctly so that your automobile is in perfect working condition.
We want to be your source of information for all of your car maintenance and repair needs. We can help ensure that your car’s belts and hoses are in perfect working condition so your car operates properly and reliably, particularly during the hot summer months. Please come by and see us at one of our conveniently located service centers or give us a call today to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment online.
Belt & Hose Replacement Process:
- Install new clamps when replacing hoses
- Replace V-belts every 40,000 to 50,000 miles or three to four years
- Inspect belts and hoses at each oil change for softening or hardening
- Visually inspect for blistering, leaking, visible cracks, or any other damage on hose exteriors
- Protecting your car’s reliability and preventing more expensive repairs down the line is easy with proper maintenance of your vehicle’s belts and hoses. The cost of replacing belts and hoses is minimal in the overall care of your car.
Signs You Need To Replace Your Belt & Hose:
- 5 years or 60,000 miles since last replacement
- Air conditioning failure
- Complete loss of power due to alternator discharging
- Coolant or other fluid leaks
- Illuminated dashboard lights
- Steam rising from the engine
- Grinding or screeching noises when the engine starts
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POPULAR REPAIR & MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Hose Replacements
Belts and hoses on your car are vulnerable to exposure to heat, vibrations, and contamination, making them wear out faster than many other components in your car. That’s why regular inspection and maintenance is essential to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Routine inspections and maintenance can help improve fuel efficiency, achieve peak performance, and even help prevent costly repairs down the road. Because most belts and hoses fail from the inside out, it can be difficult to determine the exact condition by outward appearances.
AC Hose
A/C hoses are made differently than the average hose; they’re made to withstand extremely high pressure and are constructed with fittings referred to as manifolds. Manifolds are used to connect air conditioning components together throughout the system. Because of their importance, A/C hoses should be inspected for any signs of cracks or leaks any time your vehicle is serviced. Over time, A/C hoses can leak refrigerant out of the air conditioning system which ultimately causes the air conditioning system to fail or struggle to cool properly. Because of its constant exposure to heat and high pressure, A/C hoses should be replaced every 8 to 10 years.
A/C hose replacements are a bit more complex than simply removing the old hose and replacing it. When this service is performed, prior to removing the hose, the system will be evacuated of all refrigerant and oil. Once the hose has been installed properly, the ASE Certified Technician will perform a recharge by adding the proper amount of refrigerant to the system.
Vacuum Hose
The vacuum hose is a rubber line that links the vacuum that the engine creates to control a mechanism in the engine. Vacuum hose lines are engineered to endure negative pressures to prevent collapsing. Just like any other rubber component in the vehicle, vacuum hoses can wear out over time. Vehicle owners with this kind of system should expect to replace the lines between eight and ten years.
While most modern vehicles no longer use vacuum engine control system, and instead use electronically operated systems, many older vehicles still utilize this system. A failed vacuum hose can cause critical engine components to malfunction, causing drivability issues and triggering the check engine light to come on. A vacuum hose with a leak can be difficult to locate due to the multiple hoses winding in and around the engine. When a leak is suspected, a technician will need to fill the system with smoke using a specialty smoke machine to determine the leak’s location.
Belt Replacements
Belts are one of the most important components in your engine. Belts power the water pump, power steering pump, water pump, and control the timing in your engine. When any of these belts begin to wear or malfunction, your vehicle’s engine could stop working or fail to keep it cool, which can result in extensive repairs.
V Belts or Drive Belts
V belts, also known as drive belts, are typically found in older model vehicles and are used to connect to accessory components. A vehicle may contain several drive belts in order to operate systems such as the air conditioning, power steering, and others. Drive belts should be inspected to check their condition and tension. A belt that is too loose could slide over the pulleys and cause a squealing sound. A belt that is too tight can damage bearings in the rotating assemblies. Drive belts can dry and crack and should be replaced every 50,000 miles.
Serpentine Belts
Most modern vehicles today utilize a serpentine belt that automatically adjusts tension either through an automatic hydraulic or spring tensioner. Serpentine belts have a longer life expectancy than most other belts due to its engineering. Serpentine belts are composed of synthetic rubbers that give off a felt-like appearance, however, it does not often show signs of aging. A technician will measure the ribs inside the belt to determine the belt’s condition. Most serpentine belt manufacturers recommend replacement between 70,000 and 100,000 miles depending on driving and climate conditions.
Vehicles that use timing belts are designed to connect two halves of the engine’s rotating assemblies in synchrony instead of the use of a timing chain. Timing belts have a teeth-like texture that is meant to grip the pulleys to prevent slipping. Because timing in your engine is important, it is very important the timing belt replaced every 60,000 miles.
