What do heater hoses do?
Heater hoses are responsible for transferring hot coolant from the engine to the heater core which powers your car’s heater. Inside the heater core, air passes through the coolant. Due to the high temperature of the coolant, the air becomes heated, resulting in warm air entering your car’s interior. The heater hoses are usually located towards the rear of the engine on the cars firewall / bulkhead.
The heater hoses are made of heavy-duty rubber that is designed to withstand the high temperatures of coolant. Despite the materials that are used, the heater hoses can be prone to wearing out, perishing, cracking, bulging or leaking, especially in high-mileage vehicles.
Symptoms of a damaged heater hose:
A damaged heater hose in a car can cause several symptoms, some of which include:
- Engine overheating – A heater hose can develop leaks which cause the engine coolant to leave your engines cooling system. Eventually, this can lead to your car’s engine being unable to cool itself. Driving with an overheating engine can lead to serious damage and should be avoided as your cars engine could seize up if too hot. If you suspect that coolant is leaking from a heater hose or heater core , keep a close eye on your car’s temperature gauge and stop driving if it reaches a high level.
What to do when your car is overheating > - Engine warning light – A damaged heater hose can trigger the engine warning light, indicating a problem with the cooling system.
- Heater not working correctly – If the coolant is unable to reach the heater core, your car’s heater will not work correctly. The heater will most likely blow cold air, even when the heater settings are at higher hot levels.
- Visible engine coolant leaks under your car – You may notice small puddles of engine coolant forming under your car. This can be caused by the heater hoses leaking, as well as a variety of other cooling system problems. If you notice coolant leaks, we recommend that you get the problem diagnosed quickly before it causes more damage to your engine.
Diagnosing car leaks >
If you suspect that you have a damaged heater hose, it is important to have it inspected and repaired by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. A damaged heater hose can cause engine overheating, which can lead to severe engine damage if not addressed promptly.
Causes of a damaged heater hose:
There are several causes of a damaged heater hose in a car, including:
- Age and wear: Over time, heater hoses can become brittle and crack due to exposure to excessive heat, engine vibration, and chemicals in the coolant.
- Engine overheating: Abnormal engine temperatures can cause the car heater hoses to expand and contract, leading to cracking and damage.
- Harsh driving conditions: Harsh driving conditions, such as driving over rough terrain or in extreme temperatures, can cause the heater hoses to become damaged.
- Improper installation: Incorrect installation of the heater hoses, such as improper routing or over-tightening of the clamps, can cause the hoses to become damaged.
Car Heater Hose Replacement in Hamilton
Is your car in need of a heater hose replacement or car heater hose checking and testing? If so, we can help!
At Grimmer Motors, our qualified and trained mechanics can install new heater hoses into your car. This will prevent coolant leaks from occurring and restore normal function to your car’s heater.
For all your new heater hoses and testing in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!