Car Repairs in Bigbury

Anyone who has queued for the road down towards Bigbury-on-Sea and Burgh Island on a sunny weekend knows how hard stop-start summer traffic is on a car. Add narrow lanes and the engine spends a lot of time warm and working with little airflow.

That is why we see a steady flow of cooling, oil and fuel-system faults from the coast. Automaster repairs petrol and diesel cars, and this page sets out the engine jobs we handle and what helps us quote accurately.

Why does my car struggle in slow summer traffic around Bigbury?

Crawling in a queue means little air through the radiator, and any weakness in the cooling system shows up quickly. A temperature needle creeping upwards, a heater that blows cold or a coolant smell all deserve attention before the next holiday run.

We pressure-test the system, check the fan, thermostat, hoses and radiator, and tell you what has failed. Radiator repair or replacement depends on the vehicle and the condition of the core.

• Temperature gauge rising in traffic
• Coolant level dropping
• Sweet smell or white steam
• Heater not warming up

What happens when the engine overheats and should I keep driving?

No. Switch off safely and let it cool. Driving on with an overheating engine risks head gasket failure and cylinder head damage, and the repair bill can grow dramatically. Do not remove the cap while hot, because the system is under pressure.

Afterwards we find the cause, which might be a leaking hose, a stuck thermostat, a failed water pump or a blocked radiator, and repair it before the engine suffers lasting harm.

When is timing belt and water pump replacement needed?

Belts age with time as well as use, so a car that does low mileage in a seaside area can still be due. The manufacturer sets the interval, and your handbook or service history should show it. A snapped belt on many engines causes serious internal damage.

We usually recommend replacing the water pump during the same visit when the belt drives it, since most of the labour is shared. Chain-driven engines are different, and we check them for rattles and stretch instead.

Can you fix a whistling turbo, an oil leak or poor fuel delivery?

Often, yes, after inspection. A worn turbo may whistle, smoke blue and feel flat on hills. Oil leaks come from gaskets, seals or housings, and salt air and road grime can hide the true source until it is cleaned. Dirty or failing injectors cause misfires, smoke and uneven running.

Because a turbo usually fails for a reason, such as oil starvation or a blocked feed, we look for the cause as well as the part.

Do you cover Bigbury, and how do I arrange a repair?

We do. Customers from Bigbury, Ringmore, Kingston, Bantham and Thurlestone use Automaster at Longcombe Cross, near Totnes. Ask for a quote, tell us what the car is doing and we will explain the way forward.

If it is overheating, losing oil or making a harsh turbo noise, do not drive it to us. Phone first and we will talk through the safest option.