Of Hoses, Plugs and Gaskets

Most of the problems associated with unexpected automotive breakdowns are related to the hoses, plugs and gaskets. Although part of regular automotive maintenance, few people realize that all three eventually grow brittle and crack whether the vehicle is used or not. Hoses are the most notorious cause of overheating as a small crack will eventually cause all the radiator fluid to drain out. Even if you pour gallons of radiator coolant but if the hose is busted then it is only a matter of time before everything leaks out. Gaskets and plugs are about the same, being made of rubber which will also give way eventually. It is best to replace all hoses within six months as they will probably fail within the next year or so. But the best way to handle this is to actually follow the manufacturer's replacement recommendations, and change them before they actually break.