A Comprehensive Assessment of Your Heating and Cooling System Comprises of:
- Examination of internal controls and blower
- Inspection of radiator coolant temperature, hoses, radiator cap pressure, and thermostat
- Evaluation of the compressor belt
- Thorough inspection of the system and seals for leaks or damage
- Conducting a cooling system pressure test
- Verification that A/C pressure meets manufacturer specifications
- Measurement of the interior vent air temperature
Our Repair and Maintenance Services Include:
Belts
The fan belt, also referred to as a drive belt, connects your vehicle's engine to its front-mounted accessories. This belt is responsible for rotating the water pump and engine fan, ensuring a cool engine environment. Unfortunately, over time, your vehicle's fan belts can dry out and develop cracks, requiring a replacement.
It's important to entrust this kind of task to seasoned professionals. Our mechanics can conduct a thorough inspection of your car's belts, replace any worn ones, and ensure the installed belts are properly adjusted for optimum performance.
Coolant System Flush
A car's coolant system transfers excess heat from one part of the engine and dissipates it through the radiator fins. As time goes on, the coolant can become old and contaminated, negatively impacting the system's performance. To maintain optimal system function, consider regular coolant system flushes as part of your vehicle's cooling system maintenance.
Hoses
Hoses have the crucial role of transferring coolant and antifreeze throughout the engine's cooling system, including the radiator. With time, these hoses can dry out and develop cracks, leading to leaks. When it's time for replacement, you can rely on our team of experts for your vehicle repair needs.
Radiator Flush
Your vehicle's radiator is responsible for keeping the engine cool and safeguarding it from excessive heat. To maintain its effectiveness, the radiator must remain clean at all times. Sludge, rust, and other solid deposits can accumulate inside the radiator, leading to clogs and reduced system efficiency. This, in turn, can negatively affect your vehicle's performance. Incorporating regular radiator flushes into your routine car maintenance schedule is essential.
Radiators
Radiators serve as heat exchangers, cooling your car's internal combustion engine. They accomplish this by circulating engine coolant through the engine block and then releasing the heat into the atmosphere through radiation.
Radiators consist of a set of tubes through which engine coolant flows, surrounded by fins. When a radiator fails, the excess heat produced by the engine could potentially damage vital engine components. To prevent such issues, it's crucial to have your radiator regularly serviced. For expert radiator maintenance, visit Hitchcock Automotive Repair today.
Summerize Your Vehicle
Getting your car ready for the challenges of summer, including heat, dust, and traffic congestion, can significantly reduce the risk of breakdowns. At Hitchcock Automotive Repair in Sarasota, our technicians are equipped to perform essential preventive maintenance to ensure your car is summer-ready. Here are some recommended services:
- Battery check
- Fluid replacement
- Examination of belts and hoses
- Inspection of climate and coolant systems
- Evaluation of wiper blades
- Tire inspection
- Assessment of headlights, turn signals, and tail lights
- With these services, your car will be fully prepared to handle hot weather, allowing you to enjoy your summer to the fullest
Winterize Your Vehicle
Winter weather can be harsh on both you and your vehicle. You can trust the skilled technicians at Hitchcock Automotive Repair to prepare your car for the challenges of winter. Here are some recommended services:
- Check the battery
- Check the tires
- Check wiper blades
- Check fluids
- Check headlights, turn signals, and tail lights
- Check the exhaust system for leaks
- Check the belts and hoses
- Check the heating system
With these services, your car will be ready to tackle winter weather, ensuring your driving experience remains safe and comfortable.
Coolant FAQs
What is causing my coolant light to come on?
If the dashboard light is red, indicating your car is overheating then you should pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the engine. If the coolant level is low or there is another problem with your cooling system, you could cause serious damage by continuing to drive.
When should I do a coolant flush?
Your vehicle's owner's manual will recommend getting the coolant flushed about every 30,000 miles or three to five years, whichever comes first. Make sure to consult your owner's manual as some outline a more specific interval depending on the vehicle's make and model and your driving habits.
Why is my coolant leaking?
Corrosion within the radiator is the leading cause of a coolant leak. As the radiator tubes get older and weaker, sediment or debris collects inside and causes a leak. The sealing gasket between the tank and the radiator can also wear out, and lead to a leak.
How do I know what coolant I should use?
Your car's owner's manual provides a wealth of information. Follow the recommendations in your car's owner's manual to the letter unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer or auto repair professionals. It will tell you what type of coolant is best to use in your vehicle. If you don't have a copy of your owner's manual, you can most likely find the information you need on the manufacturer's website.
Radiator FAQs
When should the radiator in my car be replaced?
Often, radiators will last for the entire life of a car. On average a radiator lasts 8 to 10 years. However, there are a few factors that can reduce a radiator's working life such as improper maintenance, driving habits and environmental conditions.
What does radiator service include?
Radiator service starts with draining the system. Then we flush the radiator and engine block, inspecting all hoses to make sure they're not cracked. Next we refill the radiator with fresh coolant and finish by pressure testing the radiator cap and cooling system.
What is causing my engine to overheat?
The most common reason a car overheats is a lack of coolant or a coolant leak. However, if you have an older vehicle, it may also indicate that it is time to replace your radiator, thermostat, water pump or heater core. If it continues to be a problem that you can't fix, your best bet is to bring it to our shop in Sarasota.
What is the average lifespan of a radiator?
While radiators usually last 8-10 years, some factors can shorten their lifespan. Watch for signs of deterioration to know when replacement is needed.
To learn more about our Heating and Cooling services, call us at 941-306-1000 or request a quote by clicking below:
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what our customers say
Forgive me as it has been some time since I was there, but about a month ago I was getting ready to head over to Orlando for work training from Sarasota. I pulled out of my driveway and my power steering was gone. I immediately drove to the only auto repair shop I have been to since living out here and they were too busy to help me. I started to google shops around me and Hitchcock Automotive came up. I made my way over and they had space and time to help me out right away. Scott Sr. (I believe was his name) was super kind (which I usually find uncommon as a woman looking to get her car fixed) and he reassured me it was an easy fix. The ?o-ring? had completely broken a piece off and they got my car up and cleaned up and replaced the ring within 20-30 min. I expressed my thanks and asked how much I owed and he told me it was on them and not to worry about it. Believe me I was worried about it. I never know how much mechanics are going to charge me and I couldn?t believe he did all of that for free. It was probably an easy little fix for them, but it was a huge fix to my day and restored a part of my faith in kindness. Thank you guys seriously. You had no idea how helpful that was to me when I needed it. Many thanks and will be back for any future car troubles. I highly recommend making this your first stop with auto repairs. A trustworthy team, quality work, and a safe and clean space. 10/10 guys.
I was looking for a good auto repair shop for my Lexus when I found Hitchcock Automotive mentioned several times on Next Door. I called and brought my car in with a list of items that needed to be repaired and asked if they would give me an estimate. While I waited, they looked the car over , gave me a very good price on the repairs and offered to do the work that day or the next, based on my convenience. I am very happy with the work that was done on my car and quite impressed with the customer service of Hitchcock Automotive. What a great find! Just an update to my last review because I know people are always looking for a good auto mechanic. My husband and I have used Hitchcock Automotive several times now for my Lexus RX 350 and his Jeep and we are extremely happy with their service. Scott, the owner, is just great! He runs a very efficient shop where the work is done on time and in line with the estimate. We have never had to bring anything back for an adjustment. Scott explains what needs to be done and , just as importantly, what doesn?t need to be done. When we bring our cars in for service, we know that the work will be done correctly and that we will be treated in a professional and courteous manner.
I couldn't speak more highly of this family owned and operated shop! They were honest, reasonable, good people. I will be recommending them to everyone I know! I came in with a muffler issue, they could have looked at me and assumed they could make some good money off of me by telling me I needed an all new muffler installed. Instead they brought me into the garage showed me the exact problem along with their recommendation and were able to easily fix the problem with very little cost to me. Five stars ? Thank you for being one of the good ones!!
