Car Repairs in Bickington

Bickington sits on the road between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, with the A38 close by and Dartmoor just up the road. Drivers here tend to cover long steady stretches on the main road and then tackle climbs and winding lanes, which puts real strain on cooling systems and turbos.

We are Automaster, an independent garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and engine repair is a big part of what we do on petrol and diesel cars. Here is what to watch for, how the work goes and what to tell us when you want a quote.

Which engine symptoms mean I need a mechanic?

Warning lights, a misfire, unexplained smoke, an engine that struggles on hills or uses more fuel than it used to are all worth a look. Our first step is diagnostics: reading the fault codes, checking live data and then testing the parts the data points towards. That avoids replacing parts that were never the problem.

Engine servicing underpins all of this, because clean oil and good filters protect the bearings, the turbo and the timing components.

• Misfire or juddering under load
• Loss of power on climbs
• Smoke from the exhaust
• Warning lights on the dash

How does a timing belt job work on a car from this area?

The timing belt keeps the camshaft and crankshaft turning together, and on many engines it also drives the water pump. We remove the covers, set the engine to timing position, fit the new belt with tensioner and idlers, and usually replace the pump while everything is exposed. Doing it this way means the engine is not stripped twice.

Cars with timing chains need attention if they rattle on a cold start. A chain job can be more involved, since the chain sits inside the engine, so we inspect before talking through the options.

Why does my car overheat on hills?

Climbs ask more of the engine, and a weak cooling system shows itself first when the load goes up. A partly blocked radiator, a thermostat that sticks, a tired water pump, a failing fan or low coolant can each cause it.

If the gauge climbs, ease off, find somewhere safe to stop and switch off. Never keep driving an overheating engine and never open the cap while hot. We pressure-test the system, find the cause and then repair or replace the radiator, hoses or pump.

Do you work on cars from Bickington and the Dartmoor edge?

Yes. Plenty of our drivers come from Newton Abbot, Liverton, Heathfield and Buckfastleigh as well as Bickington. Our garage address is Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL.

Tell us your symptoms when you get in touch and we will say whether the car should be driven in or not. Anything involving overheating, a lot of smoke or a heavy oil loss is better left parked.

What do failing turbos, oil leaks and injectors sound and look like?

A struggling turbo whines or whistles, loses boost, smokes or drinks oil. Oil leaks come from gaskets, seals or the oil cooler and leave drips, smells or a damp, grimy engine. Poor injectors cause rough idle, hard starting and poor economy, and the fuel system as a whole, including pumps and filters, can cause cut-outs.

We inspect and report back before we go ahead with repairs, since several of these faults can look alike.