Huntington Beach Auto Repair

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

Perhaps the most dangerous item in your vehicle besides an irresponsible driver is the gas tank. The specialized care to repair, clean, remove and reinstall is old hat to us having had previous 25 years experience as a Radiator Shop. The gas tank sending unit, Fuel Pump 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 your dash. Your vehicle has an EVAP hose from your vehicle's gas tank to the engine's charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is usually located in a corner of the engine compartment, is a black container filled with charcoal pellets that absorb fuel vapors. Some are located in the engine compartment, some near the vehicle's gas tanks in order to maximize efficiency. It is our pleasure to repair any problems you may have in this area

On this, we know. When it comes to auto repair for air conditioning we have probably more years of experience than ANYONE. (No matter what that little guy says) We find leaks others cannot!! We have had dealerships bring air conditioning diagnostic problems to us. We still have AC tools older than 35 years old. Refrigerant testers made when there was no compromise on quality. Not to say we do not keep up with the latest equipment. we do. Our favorite example is the 1956 De Soto system we worked on held the refrigerant charge over 13 years! We had fabricated several of the long lines over 12 feet long and repaired components that were no longer available. You can see this vehicle on our site photo page. A beautiful show car that places second place in show competition regularly. If it were a two door, it would place first. Other auto repair facilities are using scare tactics where a car stopped or burst into flames if the Air Conditioning is faulty. One in a mill ... read more

After over 25 years as one of the areas best Radiator Shops we still know how to repair radiators. Just saved over $300 from cost of a brand new custom hot rod aluminum radiator by repairing the drill hole in the core that a technician put in. We still get odds and ends from shops we've known for a long time

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 ... read more

We've see things like this on a regular basis. Larry's 2004 Mini Air Conditioning was not working. The dealer said it needed a compressor replacement at a cost of over $1500! We fixed his Prosche earlier last year so he gave us a look at the Mini. We found the AC compressor clutch coil not working. From the BMW dealership the cost of the new compressor alone was over $800! Because of our long experience in auto air conditioning, we knew what we could do. While replacing the compressor coil only we found the main shaft seal leaking and replaced that also. Now the air conditioning FREEZES the passengers at much lower cost than previously quoted. We like working on air conditioning

I've never really thought about the memories I've had concerning auto repair because I grew up where you either fixed it or rode your bike. Along the way a person can become an expert welder, fabricator, artists, painter, hydraulic specialists, tuner, racer, electrician, these darned things got a lot of things going on! They transcend the definition of "cars" or "trucks" to "personal statements", "my ride" and the most valuable and trusted title of " the family car / van / SUV". I remember riding in a 1942 Ford Coupe, Austin Healy Sprite, Porsche Super 90, 1951 wooden spoke wheel MG, 1947 Rolls Royce, 1951 "Olds 88" that my Mom called "Black Beauty

Many Import and some Domestic vehicles have a Timing Belt. We have an excellent illustration under "Timing Belt" on the Home Page and a good explanation on it's workings and importance. Best to pay attention to recommended replacement schedule and keep you motor working past 200,000 miles

When it comes to this, few know more than our technicians at HB Auto & AC. Chris worked on cooling systems almost exclusively for over 20 years one gets a pretty good feel for a lost art. We've detected more over heating problems, coolant leaks, head gasket failures and the many other "radiator" and coolant related problems than almost anyone, PERIOD. This has given us a perspective on vehicles that carry over especially in reference for maintenance. Nothing will deteriorate and become like MUD more quickly than a failing radiator and or cooling system. There is a progressive corrosion, electrolysis or acidity that can classically happens in a radiator or cooling system. They always need metering or proper maintenance. In a similar way, we've discovered that ALL AUTOMOTIVE FLUIDS can have their own electrolysis, acidity or chemical reaction. That's one of the reasons motor oil is changed on a regular basis. My favorite fix is welding an aluminum radiator (or AC condenser or ... read more

This we take seriously. Some times it is a small issue. You can check your owners manual for some help. You can bring your car in for a quick computer scan at NO COST when you print this article and bring it with you. It is wise to not let this condition go too long because there is a possibility that the problem can get worse. Also when there is a "drivability" problem indicated by the check engine light the motor is not at it's most efficient, causing less gas mileage and more pollution. Also the car will not pass smog when this light is on