Bernard's Garage

Well here we are again at the beginning of another great northwest summer, how ever long it will last is another great debate for another time. Your vehicle has a maintenance schedule that for the most part will cover most all of your everyday driving needs. When summer comes there are usually several trips planned out of town that will require a little more attention to detail when it comes to certain systems on your vehicle.

Cooling system maintenance is very important, a complete inspection of all the hoses, clamps, seals and gaskets is a must before heading out on that road trip. When coolant sits in a car all winter constantly getting hot and cold, it tends to act as an acid due to a natural breakdown process attacking things like gaskets and seals. There are even certain vehicles that have “pot metal” or “cast” fittings that heater hoses and coolant hoses plug into that can be eaten away and weakened by this process. There is nothing worse than having a significant breakdown of the cooling system causing major engine damage up to and including blown head gaskets and lower end bearing failure all because of a $14.00 heater hose fitting that has weakened over the years was not replaced.

At Bernard’s Garage, we thoroughly inspect all aspects of the cooling system, belts, hoses, water pump, heater core, thermostat, pressure test and inspection of any tell tale signs of something that has leaked in the past and left a trail of dried coolant. It is a good idea to replace belts, hoses, coolant and fasteners at your regular mileage interval maintenance even though alot of auto repair shops dont recommend it on the basis that ” it looks fine”.

Bernard’s Garage has always preached ” Maintenance is a good investment” and will never under sell a repair, if there is a doubt, change it out and save you some grief on the road.