Belt & Hose Replacement

Serpentine belt Repair, Timing Belt Repair, and Hose Replacements in NH and ME

Your drive belt, serpentine belt, and fan belt all contribute to a properly functioning automobile in their own unique way. If one is damaged, it could mean suffering performance. Or, if there’s enough damage, your car won’t even run

Most modern automobiles have both a serpentine belt and a timing belt (or chain). If either of these belts fail or are work improperly, your vehicle’s performance will be effected in different ways. Are you noticing a strange sound or reduced performance? It could be one of your vehicles belts.

Need a Serpentine Belt, Timing Belt, or Hose Replacement in Your Vehicle?

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The serpentine belt

In modern cars, the serpentine belt in your engine is designed to provide power to the many different systems of your car. This belt transforms mechanical energy from you engine into energy used by parts such as your power steering pump, your alternator, the air conditioning compressor, the water pump, and more.

How often does a serpentine belt need to be replaced?

Serpentine belts last quite a while due to advancements in the rubber they’re manufactured with. Under most conditions, a serpentine belt should last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. If the serpentine belt breaks, your car will stop running. If the serpentine belt is loose, you could suffer some poor performance.

The Timing Belt

The timing belt or chain is a vital part of your engine that synchronizes your vehicles crankshaft and camshaft to ensure that your engine’s valves open and close at the proper interval. Symptoms of a faulty timing belt include a high pitched sound or whirring when the engine starts, difficulty starting your car, or actual visual damage you can see on your vehicle’s timing belt.

How often does a timing belt need to be replaced?

Many vehicles have switched to a timing chain instead of a timing belt, making replacement hardly necessary. Fortunately, vehicles without timing chains only require timing belt replacements every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Automotive Hose Repair and Replacement

Like the belts in your car, radiator hoses ensure that your vehicle’s cooling system works properly. If your car is overheating, there’s a good chance that there’s something wrong with your radiator hose. Typically, an upper hose connects to the top of your radiator, and continues to the top of your engine, while a lower hose connects to the bottom of your radiator and your engine’s water-pump. Together, this system keeps coolant running through the system, and your engine operating at a sustainable temperature.

Symptoms of radiator problems

Overheating is the primary symptom of radiator problems. Since the engine is hot, it isn’t uncommon for radiator hoses to crack and become weak over time.

Other symptoms:

• Poor AC or Heating
• Leaking Coolant
• Steam emitting from the engine area
• Cracks or bumps in your radiator hoses

How often should radiator hoses be replaced?

Typically, it’s best to replace radiator hoses about every 5 years – or about 50,000 miles. If you begin to see coolant (a yellow, green, or red fluid) pooling in your driveway or parking lot, it’s a good indication that you should bring your car in for a checkup.