The Importance of Belts and Hoses
Belts and hoses are necessary for the proper function of a vehicle. Belts and hoses are the links to all the major systems in your vehicle. Hoses deliver hydraulic pressure to brakes and other components. Belts transfer energy from the crankshaft to the moving parts that start, steer, heat, and cool the vehicle, as well as keep the engine cranking correctly. A leaky hose or a loose belt can seriously impact the performance of the parts they are designed to work with and if a belt or hose breaks, the vehicle can be disabled until repairs are affected.
Explore the Different Types of Belts
There are several belts in a vehicle that keep the car functioning:
- Serpentine belt: Along with other drive belts, it powers engine components like your alternator, power steering, and climate control from the vehicle’s crankshaft.
- Timing belt or timing chain: Helps turn the camshaft of the vehicle’s engine, and it coordinates the rhythm of the pistons and valves in the engine. Sometimes it is called a camshaft belt or gilmer belt.
- Additional belts: These include the fan belt, alternator belt, A/C belt, power steering belt, and others. They all work with the serpentine belt to drive all their respective parts.
Common Hose Types
Below are the hoses you hear about most frequently in a vehicle:
- Radiator hoses: These carry coolant (water and antifreeze) between the engine and the radiator. A radiator hose is made of strong rubber to withstand dramatic temperature changes as the coolant absorbs heat from the engine to be cooled by the radiator.
- Heater core hoses: These durable rubber hoses carry hot coolant through the climate control system to warm the vehicle’s cabin.
- Fuel hoses: Found in older vehicles, these connect the fuel tank to the engine. In modern vehicles, fuel is delivered through a fuel-injection system in pressurized metal tubes.
- Brake hoses: These hoses carry brake fluid from metal brake lines to the calipers.
- Air intake hoses: Carry oxygen to the engine to ensure it has the correct ratio of air /fuel mixture to allow combustion.
- Other hoses: These assist other systems in the vehicle like A/C high-and low-pressure hoses, power steering hoses, oil cooler hoses, and the PCV valve hose.
Each belt and hose in a vehicle has a different lifespan. Your owner’s manual provides recommended time frames for each belt and hose to keep them properly maintained. If you notice any of the following, it may be time to have your belts and hoses checked out:
- Chirping or squealing noises
- Loose belts
- Belt or hose wear
- Leaking fluid
- Battery problems
- Engine problems
- Overheating engine