Radiator Hose

The Role of the Radiator Hose:

The radiator hoses transfer coolant from your car’s engine to the radiator where the coolant’s temperature is reduced by the wind blowing over the radiators large surface area.. The coolant is typically very hot and the rubber hoses will go through thousands of heat cycles over the course of their life. At some point the rubber hoses will become brittle and begin to crack and break down.  There are two primary hoses bringing coolant to and from the radiator but there are many other rubber hoses providing coolant to and from your car’s heater or transmission cooler and these ancillary hoses need to be replaced periodically as well.

The Results of a Radiator Hose Failure:

It’s a good idea to replace the hoses every five years or 40,000 miles. If you see a crack or bulge in the radiator hose, you should have it replaced immediately. New hoses are an inexpensive repair and can prevent future damage or a breakdown on the road..  A leaking radiator hose will not let the engine get the proper amount of coolant. If ignored long enough, the engine will overheat, causing substantial damage.

From a safety standpoint, there is a slight risk because an overheated engine might leave you stranded. From an environmental point of view, there is a significant impact, because leaking coolant can be dangerous to children, pets, and animals