Checking the Hoses

Checking the hoses in your car's engine is a very important piece of motorist maintenance, like replacing the timing belt, and one which all young drivers should be familiar with. Every car has a set of Radiator Hoses which carry coolant to and from the engine. This coolant is what prevents your engine from overheating which, essentially, keeps it moving. If you are driving long distance or driving during the summer months it is crucial that your hoses are in good working order. Otherwise you could find yourself stranded.

The Process

Checking your hoses is actually a very quick, straightforward process and doesn't involve much technical or specific car knowledge. The first thing you do is make sure your engine is cool and the car has not been in use for at least two hours. Then open up the bonnet of your vehicle.

With the bonnet open you need to locate the radiator which is at the front of your engine. If you have trouble finding it check your owner's manual for details on its exact location but it should be plainly visible at the front of the car. Now you need to find the two radiator hoses which pump coolant in and out of the radiator and keep it nice and cool.

There should be two hoses, an upper hose and a lower hose, on opposing ends of your car's radiator. First take your upper hose in hand and take a close look at it. A good hose should be thin, sleek and flexible looking. If there are cracks or holes in the tube it has dried out. Dry hoses will badly affect the performance of your car and need to be changed.

The other thing to look out for is the width of the hose. A fattened or bloated looking hose is a very bad sign. This indicates that there is a build up of coolant in the tube and it might be about to burst. If it bursts mid-journey you could find yourself stuck in the hard shoulder.

Even if the hose looks O.K. make sure to squeeze it gently, just to see how it reacts to pressure. If it begins to crack, bloat or crunch when you squeeze it you'll need to get it changed immediately. A dry or worn out hose will cause you all kinds of problems on the road. Now repeat the process with the lower hose.

Most manufacturers will agree that the hoses in your engine should be replaced every 4 years or 60,000 - 80,000 miles. This should be done whether or not they are worn or dried out looking. Of course, they can wear out much quicker than this so make sure to check them every six month, at the minimum.

While you're checking your hoses it might be an idea to check the hose clamps which keep them in place. These metal clamps are what connect your hoses to the radiator. You want to make sure that they are fit tightly to the hose. If they are wet or loose you probably need new clamps.

No one wants to get stranded while driving their car long distance. Making sure you have a healthy, efficient, fully functional engine under your bonnet is a good way to make sure that doesn't happen to you. So, regardless of how long your journey is, make sure you are checking the hoses of your car radiator at least twice a year. This small piece of maintenance will save you money, time and a lot of hassle in the long run.

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