Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

We’re entering the triple-digit heat season in Southern California, and this is the time of year I begin to hear more from customers. It’s not so much that they want to stay in touch, although they like us, but that their automobile, truck, or van is experiencing problems. Part of the issue is that many people don’t shield their car from the intense damage heat pounding down on it can cause. I sometimes feel like a broken record, but I’m always telling customers, “heat can wreak havoc on your car.” They usually don’t pay much attention until their AC doesn’t work, their tires aren’t holding up, or the engine oil isn’t up to snuff.   Along these lines, Lila, referred to me by my long-time customer, Cherry, stopped by the shop. That morning, before getting into her car, she noticed that her driver’s side tire looked odd; it was bulging. In her words, “it looked as if it were pregnant.”   “Ha ... read more

Part I: Is Your Car’s AC Making a Racket? This blog is part one of a two-part series on automobile air conditioning systems. Part I will focus on what to look out for if your air conditioning problem. Part II will offer solutions to those challenges. By Jack Bulko, AutoAid As restrictions for COVID loosen up throughout California, temperatures are rising, and we could be in for one sweltering, uncomfortable summer. The heat could become an even more significant factor if your vehicle’s air conditioning is not working well. Is your car’s AC making a racket? Caryn, who has been a client of our auto repair shop for several years, called me the other morning. I could tell she was irritated. “I was in my car, and I turned on the air conditioning, and I heard a loud noise. I’m not sure if the sound is connected with turning on my AC or not, but I&rsqu ... read more

Broken air conditioning in a vehicle can leave you very uncomfortable and agitated in hot weather. Boy, is it Hot. Prompt repair is critical to your total cost, since AC problems get worse the longer they go unchecked. Early detection of AC problems is critical. Some common symptoms include: Weak Airflow Weak air flow is an indication of AC problems to come. Common reasons your AC system might be having a hard time providing ice cold air include: o   Loose AC Compressor Belt o   Mold or mildew accumulation from the residual moisture of the AC system o   Loose or broken seals o   Broken ventilation fan Warm Air From Your Car AC Warmer than normal air coming out of your vents is another indicator of AC problems that will eventually lead to AC system failure, commonly caused by: o   A clog in the refrigerant ch ... read more

It’s summertime, which means there’s hot weather outside of your car and an air conditioner on full blast on the inside of your car. And chances are that at the time you need your car air conditioning most is when it quits on you and starts blowing cool or even warm air. So why is your car air conditioning not cold? We see this a lot here at AutoAid. And what we find are that the reasons for your A/C blowing mildly cool or warm air range from simple to complex, and from cheap to expensive. They can be caused by normal wear and tear, or actual damage or malfunctioning parts. Whatever the cause, AutoAid’s ASE certified mechanics can find the right problem and fix it for you, fast. Here are six of the most likely causes of your air conditioning not being cold. Freon Leak Freon is the chemical refrigerant that cools the warm air before it is blown back into your car. Since today’s air conditioning ... read more