Heat, vibration and contamination wear belts and hoses out faster than most other parts of a car. C & C Auto inspects them and replaces the ones that are worn, before one fails on the road.
Common reasons to call
- A squeal at startup or when turning the steering wheel
- Cracks, fraying or a shiny, glazed look on a belt
- A hose that feels soft or spongy, or looks swollen
- Coolant stains or drips near a hose or clamp
- A power steering or fuel hose that is seeping
What we do
- Inspecting drive belts, including serpentine belts, for cracks, wear and glazing
- Inspecting coolant, heater, fuel and power steering hoses for leaks, swelling and cracks
- Replacing worn drive belts and hoses
Timing belt and water pump service are not listed on this site. If you need either one, ask when you call.
Inspection versus replacement
We inspect drive belts, including serpentine belts, for cracks, wear and glazing. We inspect coolant, heater, fuel and power steering hoses for leaks, swelling and cracks. Worn belts and hoses are replaced.
A squeal can also come from a pulley or an accessory, not only the belt, so the belt and its pulleys are looked at together. Timing belt and water pump service are not listed on this site, so ask if you need either one.
What to tell us when you call
You do not need to know what is wrong. Whatever you can share from this list helps us understand what to look at.
- Year, make and model of the vehicle
- The noise and when it happens: cold start, turning the wheel, or with the A/C on
- Cracks, fraying or a shiny surface on a belt, if you can see it
- Where a leak shows up, and what color the fluid is
- A hose that feels soft, spongy or swollen
- Whether a battery or temperature warning light came on, or the steering felt heavy
How a visit works
- Call (325) 646-6206 and describe what is happening. There is no online booking or form.
- We will set a time to look at the belts and hoses.
- If something is worn, we will explain what we found and which parts it affects.
- Prices and completion times are not listed online. Ask about both when you call, before you decide on any work.
Drive belts
Several accessories run off the engine through pulleys and belts. These include the alternator, the power steering pump, the A/C compressor and, on many vehicles, the water pump. Many newer vehicles use a single serpentine belt to drive all of them.
Hoses
Hoses carry your vehicle’s fluids. Common ones include:
- Radiator and heater hoses: carry coolant to the engine and the heater core.
- Fuel hose: carries fuel from the tank to the engine.
- Power steering hose: connects the power steering pump to the steering gear.
Why belts and hoses wear
Heat, vibration and contamination from oil or coolant wear belts and hoses over time. Both are rubber, so age matters as much as miles.
Your owner’s manual may list belt service intervals for your engine. There is no single interval that fits every vehicle.
Belt & Hose Service questions
How can I tell if a belt is worn out?
Squealing at startup or when you turn the wheel, cracks across the ribbed side, frayed edges and a shiny, glazed surface are all signs of wear. If the belt breaks, the alternator, power steering pump and water pump can stop working, depending on the vehicle.
Is it safe to drive with a soft or bulging radiator hose?
Not for long. A hose that feels spongy, looks swollen or has coolant stains around the clamps can burst, and losing coolant can overheat the engine quickly. Have it looked at soon rather than waiting for the temperature gauge to climb.
What is the difference between a serpentine belt and a timing belt?
A serpentine belt is visible on the outside of the engine and runs accessories like the alternator and A/C compressor. A timing belt sits inside the engine and keeps its internal parts in step, and not every engine has one. Timing belt service is not listed on this site, so ask when you call.
Can a squeal come from something other than the belt?
Yes. A worn pulley, a bearing in an accessory or a belt that is contaminated with oil or coolant can all make noise. That is why the belt, its pulleys and the nearby hoses are looked at together.