Expert Dodge maintenance and repair from ASE-certified technicians at ExperTec Automotive Costa Mesa.
A Charger or Challenger rumbling up Newport Boulevard is a familiar sight in Costa Mesa, and so is a Durango loaded for a weekend run down to the beach. ExperTec Automotive has kept Dodge owners on the road from our shop at 1934 Newport Blvd for more than 30 years.
Short errands between South Coast Plaza and home, stop-and-go traffic near the 55, and salt air drifting in from Newport Beach all add up. Those short trips never let oil fully warm up, and coastal moisture is hard on brakes, battery terminals and underbody hardware. We keep an eye on all of it during every visit.
Our ASE-certified technicians use dealer-level scan tools to read HEMI, Pentastar and Uconnect systems, install OEM-quality parts, and back the work with a 3-year/36,000-mile nationwide warranty. It is the kind of care that has earned us OC’s best auto repair title ten years running.
Most modern Dodge models use an Oil Change Indicator that tracks engine revolutions, temperature and driving conditions, then displays a “change oil” message on the cluster when service is due. On the HEMI V8 and 3.6 Pentastar with full synthetic oil, that can stretch to around 10,000 miles or 12 months, but short trips, towing, heavy idling and hot weather bring it sooner. Owner’s manuals also list mileage-based items like filters, spark plugs and fluids that the indicator does not track, so we follow both and reset the reminder after every service.
Upon completion of the standard maintenance tasks we provide an additional 30-point inspection to make sure that all components in your Dodge are up to date and working well.
~Up to 10,000 miles or 12 months (sooner with severe use)
~30,000 / 60,000 / 100,000 miles (varies by model/engine)
At ExperTec Automotive, we’ve been repairing Dodge vehicles in Orange County for over 30 years. Even well-built Dodge models develop specific problems as they age, and 55 Freeway commutes and coastal salt air add to the wear. Our Costa Mesa technicians diagnose these issues quickly, follow Dodge factory repair procedures and use quality parts you can trust.
A persistent tick that gets louder over time, misfires or a check engine light on the 5.7 and 6.4 HEMI can point to a failing lifter roller and worn camshaft lobe, an issue widely reported on Chargers, Challengers and Durangos. It often appears at ~80,000 miles or beyond, varying by model/engine. We confirm with scan data and inspection, then replace lifters and camshaft with updated parts.
The 3.6 Pentastar V6 uses a plastic oil filter housing with an integrated oil cooler that can crack or leak at its gaskets. You may smell burning oil, see drips at the back of the engine, or notice coolant loss. It is common across Chargers, Challengers, Durangos and Grand Caravans. We replace the housing with an updated aluminum-reinforced design and check for coolant contamination.
Early 3.6 Pentastar engines, roughly 2011-2013, were widely reported for ticking from the left cylinder head, sometimes with misfire codes, caused by worn rocker arm rollers. Symptoms usually appear at idle or on cold starts. We run a misfire and valve train diagnosis, then replace the affected rocker arms and lash adjusters, and inspect the cam for wear.
On many ~2011-2016 Durangos, Grand Caravans and Journeys, the totally integrated power module could cause no-starts, a fuel pump that keeps running, or random horn, wiper and light behavior. We test the module and its relays with dealer-level scan tools rather than guessing, then repair or replace the unit and verify every circuit it controls.
Plastic thermostat housings and coolant fittings on the Pentastar and HEMI can crack after years of heat cycling, especially in Orange County summers. Look for a sweet smell, pink or orange crust near the engine, or a temperature gauge that creeps up in traffic. We pressure-test the system, replace leaking parts with OEM-quality components and bleed the system properly.
Heavy LX and LA platform cars like the Charger and Challenger are known for worn front tension strut (compression arm) bushings. Symptoms include a clunk over bumps, shimmy under braking, wandering steering and uneven tire wear, often by ~60,000 miles, varying by use. We inspect all front arms and ball joints, replace worn parts and finish with an alignment.
Our Costa Mesa auto repair shop is on Newport Boulevard, the main route between the 55 Freeway and Newport Beach, a short drive from Triangle Square and the OC Fair & Event Center.
Between 55 Freeway commutes, coastal trips to Newport and short around-town errands, Costa Mesa cars see a lot of heat, salt air and stop-and-go driving. That’s why our Costa Mesa technicians focus on catching problems early, explaining your options clearly and fixing it right the first time.
Neighborhoods we serve: Eastside Costa Mesa, Westside Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde, College Park, South Coast Metro, Newport Heights.
Nearby cities: Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley.
Proud member of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.
1934 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Mon–Fri 7:30AM–6PM · Sat 7:30AM–4PM · Sun Closed
Book in Costa MesaGet DirectionsView Shop DetailsOur Costa Mesa shop is at 1934 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. Call (949) 645-7722 or book online.
Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. We are closed on Sunday.
Not for long. A ticking HEMI can be a failing lifter that damages the camshaft, so catching it early usually means a smaller repair; we can diagnose it with scan data and a hands-on inspection.
Yes. Every repair includes a 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Nationwide Warranty plus 12 Month / 12,000 Mile Roadside Assistance.
Book online in minutes at ExperTec Automotive Costa Mesa. Online appointments are drop-off appointments; for a waiting appointment, please call the shop.
Mon–Fri 7:30AM–6PM · Sat 7:30AM–4PM. All appointments booked online are drop-off appointments. For waiting appointments, please call the shop.
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Voted Orange County’s Best Auto Repair 10 years in a row by readers of the Orange County Register. Book online in minutes or call your nearest shop.
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