Enduring the summer heat

The summer heat and the winter cold both bring to the surface problems that were already there.

What I am seeing in the shop this summer is older vehicles with multiple repair issues.  A good example is a normal heater hose repair.  If one of the hoses is replaced, the other is soon to follow.  Just because of the age of the hoses and if you make one hose solid and secure, the other hose is still old and the next leak usually happens there or any other weak place on the cooling system.

If you don't want this type of thing happening, you have to replace your hoses every five years.  Now most people do not follow that strict of maintenance schedule.  And I don't blame them.  It is expensive.  But it sure saves the day and prevents a heater hose blow out on the hot highway, and also might prevent an engine overheat causing even more troubles.

So if you are wondering if your heater hoses need replacing, squeeze them with your fingers.  If they crackle when you squeeze them, or they are coated in oil, or they are very very soft, or if they have a bulge in them close to the connection, it is time to change them to prevent a trouble you don't want.