Look for coolant leaks now, avoid engine problems this summer

An overheated engine due to cooling system failure is one of the most common causes of roadside breakdowns.

Basically, the cooling system keeps your engine from burning itself up.  But, when coolant is lost, or when a part malfunctions within the cooling system, the engine is certain to get too hot.

Overheating results in accelerated wear from within the hose and early hose failure.

They may develop micro-cracks within the hose tube that allow the coolant to attack the hose reinforcement.  In time, the reinforcement will weaken.

Accelerated by high under-the-hood heat and constant flexing, the hose could rupture or leak under normal pressure before it has reached its expected service life.

To avoid this failure mode, Gates suggests a safe service life of four years for all coolant-carrying hoses, especially the upper radiator and bypass hoses.

After four years, the incidence of hose failure increases sharply.

Coolant hoses fail by developing micro-cracks caused by overheating or wear over time.