Huntington Beach Auto Repair

Any oil leakage from your vehicle can become cause for concern. Red oil indicating transmission fluid, clear oil can be power steering or air conditioning. Of course, motor oil can be clear to dark in color. We still believe in repair if possible. An oil pan plug thread may be damaged and we can re-thread and install a larger plug where other shops would replace the entire oil pan at a much greater cost. We can address all oil leaks and make a judgment call as to the urgency to repair. At the very least, all oil leaks should be looked at by a skilled technician. This inspection is done EVERY TIME we do an oil change service for our customers. You may only need a simple tightening, or we may be able to fabricate a needed hose or line that would cost more as a new part or may no longer be available

We have more experience with Radiators, Automotive & Truck Cooling Systems and diagnosis than just about anybody in Huntington Beach. I don't care what that little guy says. Our experience allows us to diagnose, repair (sometimes rather than replace, saving you money), maintain and service these systems to the advantage and savings of our customers. After 20 years ownership of one of the most popular radiator shops in Orange County, we know what we are doing. Some of our customers have been coming to us over 25 years since first starting with us as Bolsa Radiator. Over the past 9 years we expanded our services to retain customer loyalty to include complete service and repair of their cars and trucks. Our single minded expertise as cooling system specialists is extended to include services and repair to keep ALL our customers on the road. Don't forget, the single most reason for on the road failure (besides tire problems and running out of gas) is a cooling system problem! W ... read more

If you suspect an electrical fuel pump failure the old tried and true test is to take a blunt object (rubber mallet, boot, palm of your hand), reach under the vehicle and thump the gas tank. Then try starting the vehicle again. Even though we have done this too many times to remember we highly recommend against this. We're professionals, don't try this at home. The fuel tank can be the most dangerous item in your vehicle besides an irresponsible driver. Today's fuel pump is a working electrical motor submersed in a gas tank! The specialized care to repair, clean, remove and reinstall the gas tank and fuel pump is old hat to us having had previous 25 years experience as a Radiator Shop. We cleaned and repaired many gas tanks. The Fuel Pump, gas tank, sending unit, and now EVAP System is all in a days work for our technicians at HB Auto & AC. California smog requirements demand near perfect performance to the point that a leaking gas cap will trigger a "Check Engine" light on ... read more

Not enough heat from your car or truck? Leaking antifreeze in the cab? We doubt that anyone in this area has repaired more auto or truck heaters than the staff at HB Auto & AC. The latest heater of note was on a beautiful 1961 Buick Le Saber convertible. Because it is a convertible, all the more reason to have the heater working well in the winter. This customer wanted the heater working well enough to drive with the top down in the winter! We made sure it worked as well as new

If you need Transmission repair in Huntington Beach, we're right around the corner. To keep your vehicle safe, reliable and long-lasting, it's important to bring your vehicle into a shop where the staff is experienced. Several transmission shops in the area send customers to us for transmission related symptoms that turn out to be actually tune- up related! If you notice anything unusual about your vehicle: that it's taking longer to accelerate, the drive train is making noise, leaking or hesitating, bring your car to HB Auto & AC for a diagnosis

There are 5 costly misconceptions about having an auto brake job done: #1. All brakes are created equal, so the only thing that matters is the price. #2. If I'm quoted a higher price it just means that they make more profit. #3. A lifetime warranty is better than a parts and labor guarantee. #4. My next door neighbor's kid can do my brakes the same as your technicians can. #5. If I'm hearing a squeaking sound, it means I need all new brakes. --Quick Answers-- #1 There's metallic, semi metallic, organic, and ceramic. All have thier advantages. We'll match you up to the optimum product. #2 In most cases a higher price means that the shop is using better parts. This is not always the case and it's important to match function and demand. #3 Never true. A shop offering a lifetime warranty comes with all types of gray areas. They'll install cheap semi metallic pads. It's never for the customer's best interest. The pads will wear out fast ca ... read more

We always use the best. These small but critical parts of a vehicle do so much but get little respect. Most car manufactures have a recommended replacement schedule that can be subjective. Surprisingly some have NONE! It is best to adhere to a schedule unless there is a good reason not to. If a progressive corrosion has set in the hoses then best to replace sooner than scheduled. The CAUSE of the corrosion should also be addressed at that time to prevent further premature age and break down. The belts may also fail prematurely if the vehicle sits for extended periods of time in an extreme atmosphere such as a high heat as in the desert, or near salt air such as here in Huntington Beach or surrounding areas. In fairness to todays vehicles, many belts and hoses go over 100,000 miles. However it may have been in a short period of time so AGE is not so much a factor as USE. Because we've seen more than most, it has been our policy to consider age or use to determine replacement ... read more

As long as I've been around mechanical repair it always strikes me as curious to see how things come in waves. A particular brand vehicle will have electrical problems for a year. Another will have brake related problems. Maybe we get a bunch of window repairs on all cars. This year we've seen 6 cases of motor or engine noises. Not unusual but the nature of the noise I'm referring to is a clacking or knocking, sometimes slight, sometimes more pronounced. Usually from a new customer. The noise that we have been getting is from a lack of MOTOR OIL in the engine! Wholly smokes! We all get busy but I implore everyone to please check their own oil or have someone else do so at appropriate intervals. Serious damage can happen if an engine runs low on oil. A newer vehicle is less likely to go low on oil because of the newness of the gaskets, seals and rings. As a vehicle ages the gaskets and seals wear and fail. The rings may wear and allow oil to burn like John Candy's old Mercury in "Un ... read more

We seem to get more than our share of my favorite vehicles from the original GMC type Suburbans famous for towing the old Airstream camper trailers, to the new Cadillac Escalades. The fact that at one time we owned 6 various S-10 Balzers, full sized Blazers and Tahoe at the same time helps a bit. We've become very familiar with these SUVs and will always have a soft spot for them. Feel free to ask any questions you may have or come in for a quick free check on the Air Conditioning, Check Engine light or tire rotation if you print this page out and bring it in. Ask for Chris

If you need Mazda repair in Huntington Beach, we're right around the corner. To keep your Mazda safe, reliable and long-lasting, it's important to bring your vehicle into a shop where the staff is experienced. If you notice anything unusual about your vehicle: that it's taking longer to accelerate to 60 mph, the brakes are making noise or the air-conditioning is not cooling as quickly as it used to, bring your car to HB Auto & AC for a diagnostic. Those of you that have known us for a long time will remember us as "Strictly Mazda". We still have all the old factory manuals needed to service your Mazda