Whether you have a gasoline or diesel powered vehicle, your primary source of keeping the engine cool is a fully functioning coolant system. Included in this system is the radiator, water pump, coolant hoses, and a fan attached to the radiator that cools heated coolant after it has circulated through the engine block. When all of these parts work perfectly, the engine runs smooth and maintains a consistent temperature. However, the most common cause of engine overheating issues is a broken water pump belt. The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant from the radiator, around the engine and then back to the radiator to cool before beginning the process again. The pump is operated by a serpentine belt made out of rubber and nylon cords that also operates your other accessories, including the power steering pump and air conditioner compressor. Over an extended period of time through normal use and exposure to high temperatures, this water pump belt will become brittle, crack and eventually break.

Replacing your water pump belt is part of normal maintenance. If it breaks, it can cause multiple components in your vehicle to stop working and put your vehicle completely out of commission. is there copper in ac unitsIn order to avoid this problem, staying on top of routine maintenance and service would significantly help. in wall heat/ac unitsHowever, there are a few common symptoms that hint towards having a failing water pump belt.fill home ac unit Upon visual inspection, it's pretty simple to notice that a potential problem exists with your water pump belt. A normal belt is clean and has no cracks or frays in the belt. However, if you look under the hood of your vehicle and can see visible cracks on the surface of the belt or you see what looks like strings coming from the sides of the belts, this is a sure fire indication of a belt that is about ready to break.

If you notice this warning sign, contact a local ASE certified mechanic to replace your water pump belt. This process requires specialized tools and experience in replacing the belt, as it needs to be looped through multiple components to work correctly. There are many different types of water pump or serpentine belts that power the water pump and additional systems. Some of them are grooved while others are smooth. If you or another mechanic notices that grooves from a belt are missing, it's also a good indication that the belt is ready to break and needs to be replaced. As belts are used to power water pumps, AC units, and alternators, they tend to stretch over time. As they stretch, they don't fit quite as snug as they once did. When this occurs, the belt will create a harmonic sound as it circulates around each of the pulleys on every device it powers. This is common with alternator belts, air conditioning control belts, and water pump belts to name a few. If either of these belts fail, it can have a serious impact on the operation of your vehicle.

However, when the water pump belt breaks, it can lead to overheating, broken engine components or complete engine failure. If you notice a squealing sound coming from the front of your vehicle when the motor is running, contact YourMechanic and one of our local ASE certified mechanics will arrive to your home or office to replace your water pump belt if needed. Another common symptom of a broken or seriously worn out water pump belt is burning rubber coming from the engine. As the belt wears out, it stretches and develops more heat as it circulates around different pulleys and individual engine components it powers. This additional heat can get intense and cause the belt to burn. If you notice the smell of burning rubber coming from the front of your vehicle, safely drive your car back home and contact a mechanic as soon as possible to inspect the problem and replace the water pump belt if needed. The water pump of any vehicle is a critical mechanical part that can last a very long time without having to be replaced, as long as the water pump belt is replaced as recommended by the manufacturer.

If you recognize any of the above warning signs, contact YourMechanic so we can set up an appointment with a local ASE certified mechanic to diagnose the problem and deliver an affordable solution.Bedrooms, offices, garages, and server rooms are often warmer than desired because of a lack of proper ventilation or poor air circulation. This is precisely where portable air conditioners come in: They're small, portable cooling systems that quickly cool rooms without access to central AC. They're also great for spot cooling specific areas like your bedroom, apartment, or office. For easy accessibility to the topics in this guide, use our topic list: A portable air conditioner is used to provide supplemental cooling to specific areas in your home or business. They don't require permanent installation, but most require a window for ventilation or a separate space to direct the system's exhaust. Most models dehumidify as they cool, and most are also easily mobile. Portable ACs differ by brand, maximum cooling area, venting configuration, energy efficiency, and special features–like multiple operating modes, remote control operation, programmable timers, and specialized air filters.

The most important thing to determine when choosing a portable air conditioner is the size. An air conditioner that is too small won’t keep up with the cooling demands of your environment. If it’s too large, the AC will cool the area and shut down before removing excess moisture from the area–leaving unwanted moisture in your air. The following list is an estimate of the coverage area to expect based on a portable AC’s BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating, which is the unit used to measure cooling power. Use the estimates below to find an appropriate model for your room: Note that you should increase the size and power of your portable AC if: If you need help determining the right size for your needs, watch the video below or call our product experts at 1 (800) 934-9194 for a free consultation and an expert recommendation. All portable air conditioners vent hot air as part of the cooling process. This hot air is typically vented out of the area being cooled using an exhaust hose and can be vented out of a window, drop ceiling, sliding glass door, or through a wall.

Most portable ACs come with window kits or drop ceiling panel kits that include the needed exhaust hose and parts. For more detailed information about ventilation, read our article How To Vent Your Portable AC. Portable ACs can be single- or double-hosed for exhausting hot air and pulling air in to cool. Some models have both exhausting options. Here is a breakdown of both options: When a portable AC cools indoor air, it also acts like a dehumidifier and removes water from the air. Portable ACs have different ways of handling this moisture buildup: Portable ACs tend to be energy efficient and can save you money on your monthly electric bill. Efficiency is measured by the portable AC’s Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER); generally speaking, the higher the EER, the more efficient the model. A rating of 10 is typically considered a very good rating for portable ACs. Read our Lower Your Energy Bill with a Portable AC article for more about portable air conditioners and efficiency.

Most portable ACs use a typical household 120-volt power outlet and require no special wiring. However, some powerful portable ACs, such as commercial-grade units, may require special outlets. Read the product description and specifications to determine the power requirements when selecting a room air conditioner. Portable air conditioners make noise, because they use motorized fans and compressor systems that cool and circulate the air. Many people consider it “background noise,” others are concerned with appliance noise. If you’re concerned about noise in your room, we suggest buying a portable AC with special features that minimize the sound. Features to look for include a programmable timer, multiple speeds, and a Sleep mode. Some portable air conditioners list the decibel rating of the system at each fan speed. You can compare these ratings to other indoor appliances, but remember sound is different to each individual. Many conditions can affect the sound level, such as the position of the unit, if you have carpeting, what type of furniture you have, and the fan speed.

For easy reference, use the comparison chart below to get an idea for the level of sound a portable air conditioner will make based on its decibel measurement. Maintaining your portable air conditioner is simple and requires very little effort. Most systems work as a "set it and forget it" appliance. However, to get the most out of your investment, you should keep up on general maintenance to ensure it has a long lifespan. Clean air filters as needed (usually once every summer). Ensure it’s installed correctly for maximum efficiency. Drain your portable air conditioner before storing it. Check your warranty for more specific information on the parts and services covered. Cooling Server and Computer Rooms Additional cooling is needed in many server rooms, and portable ACs are often used as supplemental or primary cooling systems in these areas. When considering an AC, overestimate the amount of BTUs needed to cool the space; these areas get very hot with electric equipment running.

Exhausting your AC is another consideration, because many server rooms don’t provide access to windows. Our customers usually direct the hot air exhaust hose into a drop ceiling or through a hole in the wall in these cases. Check out our suggestions for computer/server room portable ACs. Portable ACs that offer a Heat mode generate heat either through a heat pump or electric heater. Electric heat is suggested for cold, northern climates while heat pumps work best in moderate temperatures. In winter months, a heat pump extracts heat from outside air and disperses it throughout the area. It can reverse its system to cool areas as well. Heat pumps tend to be more efficient than electric heaters because they simply transfer heat. In contrast, units with electric heat convert electrical energy into heat using a heat strip in the unit. While this method uses more electrical power to heat than a heat pump, it also can handle colder environments. Interested in a portable AC with heat?