Car Repairs and Mechanical Repairs in Devon

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we repair petrol and diesel cars for drivers across South Devon.

This page covers the mechanical repairs people ask about most. We cannot say a repair is possible, or what it involves, until we have inspected the vehicle. Cost depends on the fault, the parts and the time, so please ask for a quote.

What does engine diagnostics and engine servicing involve?

Diagnostics means finding the cause of a fault before replacing parts. We read fault codes where the vehicle stores them, then test and inspect, because a code points to a system rather than naming a broken part. Common reasons to book include warning lights, rough running, poor starting, loss of power and higher fuel use.

Engine servicing keeps things in order with oil and filter changes and checks of belts, hoses and fluids. Tell us when the problem started, whether it happens hot or cold and what the dashboard shows.

Do you carry out engine repairs, rebuilds and replacements?

Where an engine has a major fault, there are three broad routes: repair the failed part, rebuild the engine, or fit a replacement engine. Which makes sense depends on the damage, the age and value of the car and the availability of parts. Only an inspection can tell us which route is possible.

If you are asking for a quote, give us the registration, the engine size and fuel type, what happened and whether the engine has been run since. Please do not keep driving a car with knocking, a loss of oil pressure or a warning light, as that can turn a repair into a rebuild.

Should timing belt and water pump be replaced together?

Often, yes. On many engines the water pump is driven by the timing belt (cambelt), and both are reached by the same work. Replacing the pump while the belt is off saves paying for the same labour twice. A timing belt that breaks can seriously damage some engines, so follow the interval in the handbook, by time or mileage.

Other engines use a timing chain, which is designed to last longer but can stretch or wear, causing rattles on start-up or fault codes. Tell us the make, model, year and mileage, and whether the belt has ever been changed.

What are the signs of a failing turbo?

On a turbocharged engine, warning signs include a loss of power, a whistling or whining noise that changes with speed, blue or grey smoke from the exhaust, higher oil use and a warning light. Sometimes the cause is a small fault elsewhere, such as a pipe or sensor, so a proper check matters before a turbo is replaced.

If the noise is loud or smoke is heavy, avoid hard driving until it has been looked at, because a failing turbo can damage the engine.

My car is overheating. What should I do, and can you repair cooling systems and radiators?

Stop safely as soon as you can and switch the engine off. Do not keep driving, because overheating can warp parts of the engine. Do not open the cap on a hot system, as it is under pressure. We repair cooling systems, including radiators, hoses, thermostats and water pumps, once we have found where the fault is.

Tell us whether the temperature gauge rose, whether you have lost coolant, and whether there is a sweet smell or steam.

Can you fix an oil leak or injector and fuel-system problems?

Oil leaks are often caused by worn gaskets and seals, and we trace where it comes from before replacing anything. A leak that is left can reduce oil levels and cause damage, so check the dipstick and keep it topped up in the meantime.

Injector and fuel-system faults show up as hesitation, rough idle, black smoke, hard starting or poor fuel economy. Tell us the fuel type and when it happens.