Engine Repair

Engine Repair in Bayview, San Francisco

Engine work is where shop quality really shows. Wrong torque, wrong gasket, wrong order, wrong sealant and you are back inside a year. We do engine repair the way it should be done: diagnose first, give you a real number, do the work to manufacturer spec, and stand behind it. We work on domestic, Asian, and European engines from carbureted classics through modern direct-injection turbos.

What we repair

Misfires, rough idle, oil leaks, coolant leaks, overheating, timing chain or timing belt service, head gasket diagnosis and replacement, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, intake manifold leaks, sensor replacements, vacuum leaks, fuel injection problems, and more. If your engine is throwing codes or making a noise that was not there last week, bring it in.

  • Misfire and rough-running diagnosis
  • Timing chain and timing belt replacement
  • Head gasket diagnosis (compression and leak-down testing)
  • Valve cover, oil pan, and intake gasket replacement
  • Cooling system repair (water pump, thermostat, radiator)
  • Sensor replacement (oxygen, MAF, MAP, crank, cam)
  • Vacuum leak smoke testing
  • Direct injection carbon cleaning

Diagnose first

Engine repair without diagnosis is parts roulette. We start with a real diagnosis: scan, road test, compression test, leak-down test, smoke test, whatever the symptom calls for. You get a written estimate before we open anything up. We tell you which repairs are critical, which can wait, and what we expect after the fix.

When repair makes sense vs replacement

Sometimes a head gasket job on a 200,000-mile minivan does not pencil out. We will tell you the truth. If the smarter move is to replace the engine or sell the car, you will hear that from us before we start tearing things apart.

Warranty

Most engine repairs we do come with a 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty on parts and labor. Major work like timing chains or head gaskets is covered to the same standard.

Engine Repair questions

Real questions, straight answers.

How much does engine repair cost?+
Wide range. A simple sensor or gasket can be a few hundred. A timing chain or head gasket can be a few thousand. We never quote you for engine work without diagnosing first. The diagnostic fee is a flat rate; the repair estimate comes after we know what is actually wrong.
Can you tell if my head gasket is bad?+
Yes. Symptoms can mimic other things, so we test for it: chemical block test for combustion gases in the coolant, compression test, leak-down test, and a borescope into the cylinders if needed. We do not guess.
Should I just buy a used engine?+
Sometimes that is the right answer, especially on a high-mileage car with a major failure. We will source a known-good used engine, install it, and warranty the install. We will be straight with you about whether it makes financial sense.
My car is leaking oil. How urgent is that?+
Depends where it is leaking from and how fast. Small valve cover seep is not urgent. Oil pouring out of the rear main seal is. Bring it in for a leak inspection, we put it on the lift and trace it to the source. No charge if you have us do the repair.

Stop By

A & C Auto Clinic

2800 Oakdale Ave

San Francisco, CA 94124

(415) 648-2226

Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm. Walk-ins welcome. Closed Sat and Sun.