$25 off
radiator or cooling-system repair
Good through . One coupon per visit; not combined with other offers. Mention or show this coupon when your estimate is written — honored for walk-ins and phone customers too. Many repairs involve additional parts or labor at extra cost; your written estimate shows the total before any work. Encinitas STAR Smog & Auto Repair · 310 Encinitas Blvd #B, Encinitas, CA 92024 · BAR license #300634 · (760) 753-1000.
Engine running hot in Encinitas? We pressure-test the cooling system to find out why, whether it's the radiator, a hose, the water pump, the thermostat, a cooling fan or the cap, and give you a written estimate before any repair. Walk in at 310 Encinitas Blvd, book online or call (760) 753-1000.
An engine that runs hot can be damaged quickly, so a climbing temperature gauge is worth taking seriously. The cause might be the radiator, but it could also be a hose, the water pump, the thermostat, a cooling fan, or the radiator cap.
At Encinitas STAR Smog & Auto Repair we test the whole cooling system, show you where the problem is, and give you a written estimate before any radiator repair or replacement.
- 4.9★ · 1,948 Google reviews
- ASE-certified technicians
- Written estimate before any work
- Walk-ins welcome
Signs of a radiator or cooling problem
- Temperature gauge climbing above normal
- Low coolant, a leak, a stuck thermostat, or a fan that isn't running.
- Puddle of green, orange or pink fluid
- A coolant leak from the radiator, a hose, or the water pump.
- Sweet smell after driving
- Coolant leaking onto hot engine parts.
- Coolant reservoir keeps going low
- A slow external leak, or coolant being lost inside the engine.
- Overheats in traffic but not on the freeway
- A cooling fan or fan control problem.
- No heat from the vents on a cold morning
- Coolant is low or the thermostat is stuck open.
- Steam from under the hood
- An active leak or overheating. Pull over safely and turn the engine off.
How a cooling system repair works here
Inspect
With the engine cool, we check the coolant level and condition, pressure test the system to find leaks, and inspect the radiator, hoses, water pump, thermostat, cap and cooling fans.
Explain and estimate
We show you where the leak or failure is and explain what needs to be replaced. Then you get a written estimate.
You approve
Nothing is repaired without your OK.
Repair
We repair or replace the approved parts, refill the system with the coolant type your vehicle calls for, and bleed out trapped air.
Road test
We drive the car and watch the temperature, fans and heater to confirm the system holds pressure and stays at normal operating temperature.
A safety note
Never open a radiator cap or coolant reservoir on a hot engine. The system is under pressure and hot coolant can spray out. If the gauge goes into the red, pull over somewhere safe, turn off the engine, and call us.
Why customers choose us
We test the whole system.
A pressure test shows where coolant is going, so the repair addresses the actual leak.
Makes we service
- Toyota
- Lexus
- Ford
- Honda
- Jeep
- BMW
- Subaru
- Mercedes-Benz
- Chevrolet
- Nissan
- Mazda
- Volkswagen
- Acura
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Dodge
- Porsche
- GMC
- Audi
- Cadillac
- Volvo
- Mini
- Land Rover
- Infiniti
Recently in our bay: Toyota Prius, Subaru Outback, Jeep Wrangler, Honda Civic, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Impreza, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150.
What customers say
From other Google reviews of the shop:
5 out of 5 stars
"…got me in right away fixed my radiator, saved me trust worthy people thanks again"
5 out of 5 stars
"Great shop Fair price. They've worked on my Audi and Corvette providing great service. I highly recommend them. Happy to have found them."
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving if my car is overheating?
No. Overheating can damage the engine. Pull over safely, turn the engine off, and let it cool before doing anything else. Then call us.
Can I just add coolant?
Adding coolant can get you here, but if the level dropped, it went somewhere. We find the leak so it doesn't happen again.
Should my radiator be repaired or replaced?
It depends on where and how badly it's leaking and on the radiator's overall condition. We'll explain what we see and give you a written estimate.
What coolant does my car need?
Use the coolant type your vehicle's manufacturer specifies. We refill with the correct type after any cooling system repair.
Why does my heater blow cold?
The heater uses hot engine coolant. If coolant is low or the thermostat is stuck open, the heater can blow cold.
Location and hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–4 PM |
Encinitas STAR Smog & Auto Repair
310 Encinitas Blvd #B, Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 753-1000
Encinitas STAR Smog & Auto Repair · 310 Encinitas Blvd #B, Encinitas, CA 92024 · BAR license #300634 · (760) 753-1000
Overheating cars come to us from Encinitas Ranch, Fox Point Farms, Carlsbad and Solana Beach.
Get your cooling system checked
If the gauge is climbing, don't wait. Bring it in or book a time, and we'll find the cause.
$25 off
radiator or cooling-system repair
Good through . One coupon per visit; not combined with other offers. Mention or show this coupon when your estimate is written — honored for walk-ins and phone customers too. Many repairs involve additional parts or labor at extra cost; your written estimate shows the total before any work. Encinitas STAR Smog & Auto Repair · 310 Encinitas Blvd #B, Encinitas, CA 92024 · BAR license #300634 · (760) 753-1000.