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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-04-20, Page 11Help your car keep its cool Most people take the time to check the rubber on their car tires before head- ing out on a vacation trip. However, the rubber under the hood is just as important as the rubber around the rims. Broken belts and burst radiator hos- es are two of the most common causes of engine failure on the road. Rubber components, such as hos- es and belts, exist in a hot, hostile environment. On a July day, the temperature under the hood can rise to above 250 degrees. To keep the engine cool, more than 7,500 gal- lons of coolant per hour will circu- late through hoses at up to 18 pounds of pressure. With demands like these, period- ic inspections are just common sense. You can inspect a cooling system yourself or take the car to your local mechanic. Cooling system inspections are not time-consuming. By making an appointment in advance, you can take care of this on your lunch hour, before your family departs for a road trip. Because they stock a wide range of belts and hoses, chances are most cooling system specialists will have replacements on hand, if replacement is neces- sary. The goal of a cooling system in- spection is to make sure your cool- ing system is in good shape before you leave home. The mechanic will look for worn, damaged or leaking parts. The following is a list of the items checked during a cooling system inspection: • The condition of the water pump. • Leaks or corrosion in the radia- tor. • The proper coolant level. • Leaks, breaks or worn spots on hoses. • Loose hose connections. • An adequate seal on the radiator pressure cap. • A thermostat that adequately monitors engine temperature. • Worn or frayed belts. • Proper tension on belts. The mechanic probably will rec- ommend replacing worn or dam- aged hoses or belts with new parts. Cracks on belts and soft spots on hoses indicate it is just a matter of time before these parts fail. It will be less costly to replace them while the car is at the shop than to pay for a tow truck along a highway. A cooling system inspection is an investment in your peace of mind. Vacations are for spending time with your family, not for car re- pairs. Steps for a fun vacation For most of us, spring and summer mean vacation time. And if your vacation in- cludes driv- ing, some basic preventive meas- ures can mean the difference between a refreshing break and a disastrous outing. A motor oil and filter change should be at the top of your mainte- nance list before a long trip. Con- sult your owner's manual for the proper viscosity grade. If you intend to pull a camper, boat or other type of trailer on your trip, it's important that you have a vehicle equipped with the proper towing package and use the right motor oil. Use a heavy-duty motor oil, to take the stress of towing. Let the owner's manual be your guide to determine if and how you should pull a load with your vehicle. A complete maintenance check- up should also include: • Checking all belts and hoses to make sure they are in good condi- tion. ' • Checking all reservoirs for the correct amount of fluid. These in- clude the brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Tuning up the car and making sure all electrical systems are oper- ating properly. • Checking the tires for correct pressure and to detect signs of ab- normal wear. • Checking the windshield wiper blades and filling the wiper fluid reservoir. • Checking the engine coolant level for the correct concentration of fluid. SP R IIV G R C -'A R F Times -Advocate, April 20, 1994 Page 11 Sound advice for noisy belt drivers Serpentine belts are iapidly re- placing the traditional V- shaped belts that have been the mainstay of automotive engine drives for more than 70 years. Today, a large percentage of cars have a single Micro -V or V -ribbed serpentine belt that drives multiple engine accessories. These include the water pump, fan, power -steering pump, air -conditioner compressor and alternator. This engine drive configuration saves weight and precious space in the engine compartment. Serpentine belts should be checked periodically for signs of wear. Impending belt failure One indicator of belt wear, and impending failure, is belt noise - those annoying squeaks, squeals, chirps and growls coming from under the hood. Older belts become smoother, creating a glossy, glazed surface that raises the likelihood of noise. However, different noises can mean different kinds of problems. Belt "chirping" (an intermittent, high-pitched, bird -like noise that can be heard as the engine is revved up) usually indicates pulley misalignment. "Squealing," a more continuous sound that com- monly occurs when pulling away from a stop, usually suggests incorrect belt tension. Belt squeal can also be heard momenta>tt#yphen the car is started after is has sat idle for a time, such as overnight. Engineers explain that as the belt turns on the drive, it heats up. Then, it shrinks enough so the ten- sion reaches its normal level, and the squeal stops. However, when the engine is turned off the belt cools, it expands again and the squeal will turn upon engine restart. Check belt tension Belt noise can also result from vibration caused when belts are loose or under -tensioned. Vibration may happen over time as bearings loosen up, as the accessory brackets become loose, or deflect more than expected. Vibration can produce several different types of sounds. Chirping noises are possible if the vibration is bad enough, but at a level that is barely audible. Contamination of the belt drive is perhaps the easi- est cause of belt noise to identify. The belt should be inspected for oil contamination or road grit in the belt grooves. Gravel will sometimes be pushed through to the back- side of the belt, and the holes may be visi- ble on the cover. Dirt accumulation on the belt may also be obvious. If noise is an annoyance, have the belt drive inspected by a service technician. Engine belt noise may re- sult from poor drive tension. Today's modern serpentine belt drives should be checked periodically, and re- placed every four years. All cars are the same, and any Tom, Dick or Harriet can service them. 1994 Chrysler Intrepid Shouldyou trust Chrysler's advanced technology to just anyone? The best way to protectyour investment is with Chrysler trained technicians and Chrysler Five Star Service. / 994 Dodge Caravan/Plymouth voyager Jeep. Eagle 0 CHRYSLER FIVE STAR SERVILE LUBE99 . OIL AND FILTER, X19 "READY WHEN PROMISED ... 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