Belts & Hoses Services

Belts and hoses are extremely important when it comes to your vehicle’s functionality. Connecting the pulleys of your accessory drive system, belts allow the transfer of rotational energy from your crankshaft pulley to your:

• Water pump
• Alternator
• Power steering pump
• And other systems

Hoses allow the transfer of engine-critical fluids—such as coolant and power steering fluid—throughout your system.

Like all other systems in your vehicle, it is vital to get belts and hoses checked and serviced regularly to keep everything running smoothly and safely. From exposure to the elements to the daily operation of your vehicle, belts and hoses can wear down over time and turn brittle, glaze over, crack, and—worst of all—break.

At Kennedy Transmission, our team of highly trained, certified mechanics understand every single belt and hose and the important roles they play. To get a better idea of how these parts affect the operation of your vehicle, we’ve broken down the most important belts and hoses below.

Types of Engine Belts

Simply put, your engine has belts that are vital to keeping your vehicle running. Knowing when to replace your engine’s belts can be a little tricky, which is why it’s important to get them all checked regularly. A crack or breakage in any of them can result in further damage to some key components in your vehicle. Here’s a breakdown of how each belt in your engine functions.

Serpentine Belt

This transports power to other components in your vehicle and helps keep major parts running smoothly—such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, and power steering pump. The serpentine belt is also the most common belt in today’s vehicles.

Drive Belt (V-Belt)

Similar to a serpentine belt, a drive belt also keeps your alternator, air conditioning, power steering pump, and water pump working. It is nicknamed the V-Belt because it has a V-shaped cross-section.

Timing Belt 

The timing belt, or timing chain, is a rubber belt that makes the crankshaft turn the camshaft. In layman’s terms, this means the timing belt gets your vehicle to move. It’s important to have this inspected regularly because if it breaks, it could result in major engine damage.

Pro Tip: Timing belts are not used in all vehicles. The serpentine or drive belts are sometimes used exclusively by a vehicle to provide all the power necessary for its accessories. Other vehicles use a combination of serpentine, drive, and timing belts.

Types of Engine Hoses

There are many hoses in your vehicle, each with a different function. It’s important to know and understand some of the main hoses in your car or truck, and how to tell if there’s an issue. Here are some of the most common types of hoses and how each one of them functions:

Power Steering Hose

The power steering hose helps you turn your steering wheel by carrying power steering fluid from the pump. A high-pressure hose is the supply that carries fluid from the power steering pump to the steering gear and a low-pressure hose is the return that carries fluid from the steering gear back to the pump. If you notice that it’s difficult to turn your steering wheel or you hear groaning-like noises, it’s time to get it checked out.

Radiator Hose

The radiator hose is attached between the engine and the radiator. It helps move coolant throughout to prevent your vehicle from overheating. Signs that the radiator hose may need to be replaced include your heater or air conditioner not working well or steam coming out of your engine compartment.

Brake Hose

Brake hoses help transfer fluid to your brake lines, helping your vehicle stop. Because pressure is constantly being put on the brake hoses, it’s important to get these regularly inspected. If you notice clear fluid around your wheels, or that your brakes aren’t working properly, get your brake house checked out immediately.

Fuel Hose 

Typically found in older vehicles, a fuel hose (or fuel line) is used to transfer gas from the fuel tank to the fuel pump. If your vehicle has a hard time starting or doesn’t start at all, that could be a sign of an issue with the fuel hose.

How Belts and Hoses Can Fail in Your Vehicle

There are several things that can affect the wear and tear of your vehicle’s belts and hoses. Some of these include the age and mileage of your vehicle, how tense your belts are, hose clamp failure, and contaminated oil. Here’s a look at a few warning signs to look out for:

• Squeaking noise from under the hood
• Coolant leaks
• Warning light on the dashboard
• Air conditioning not working
• Engine overheating

Stop By Kennedy Transmission for Belt and Hose Repair 

Our team of certified auto mechanics at Kennedy Transmission understands that belts and hoses in your vehicle play an important role in the smooth operation of the engine, air conditioning, charging, and cooling systems. Each time your vehicle is serviced with us, we will check and inspect your belts and hoses to ensure you’re staying safe on the roads. Use our shop locator to schedule an inspection at a Kennedy Transmission near you!