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It's cheaper to replace your hoses than pay for the truck to tow your vehicle back to the shop. Credit: Contributed photo

Inspect your hoses to avoid serious damage

From Press Release
November 14, 2006
09:14 AM EST (14:14 GMT)

Every fall, many car owners change or replenish the engine's anti-freeze, but are reluctant to replace the coolant-carrying hoses.

Make sure you inspect hoses annually and change them every four years to:

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  • Eliminate inconvenience. A coolant hose on the verge of failure may not burst in the driveway or in the repair shop. Most often, hoses fail on the road, whether on a busy street or on a lonely country highway. The cost of a tow usually exceeds the cost of a hose replacement.

  • Avoid more serious damage. Older cast iron engines could withstand overheating far better than today's mostly aluminum engines. An overheated engine can quickly warp engine head gaskets, which are considerably more expensive to replace than a couple of hoses.

  • Replace coolant hoses. Several hoses are disconnected or removed whenever service is performed on cooling system components such as the radiator, water pump, heater core and thermostat. It's more opportune and less expensive to replace these coolant hoses at this time.

    • Due to the cost and inconvenience caused by hose failure while driving, preventive maintenance is the key to making sure your car is ready for winter motoring.

    Remember, hoses are the workhorses of your car's engine. A visual inspection may not always help you locate a bad hose. And a failed hose may not necessarily leak. To locate hoses that need replaced, you can pinch them to check for cracks, brittleness and mushiness.

    Keep in mind that hoses wear on the inside, as well as the outside. Even though a hose may seem ok, internal deterioration could cause it to fail.

    If you suspect your car might have a worn hose, take your vehicle to a qualified technician immediately.

    Remember, it's up to you to check the little things before they become big, expensive problems. A little regular maintenance will go a long way in keeping your auto repair costs down.

    Top ten causes of coolant hose failure:

    1. Ozone damage.
    2. Nicks, cuts and abrasion.
    3. Improper clamping.
    4. Internal/external oil contamination.
    5. Excessive engine vibration.
    6. Stop and go driving.
    7. Low coolant and overheated engine.
    8. Water pump failure and overheated engine.
    9. Thermostat failure and overheated engine.
    10. Electrochemical degradation resulting in a blown hose or pinhole leaks.