Car Repairs in Hazelwood

Hazelwood is a small rural hamlet in the River Avon valley area, reached along narrow lanes. When the nearest garage is not round the corner, a breakdown is far more disruptive, which is why catching engine faults early matters.

Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby towns like Loddiswell and Kingsbridge bring their petrol and diesel cars to us. Here is what to watch for and how to ask for a quote.

Which warning signs should a rural driver never ignore?

A rising temperature gauge, a flashing engine light, a red oil light, a loud whistle from the turbo, thick smoke or a strong smell of fuel or coolant. Any of these can turn a small repair into a big one if you keep driving.

Stop somewhere safe and phone for advice instead of pushing on to the next village.

A quick check of oil and coolant levels before a longer drive costs nothing and catches many problems, and we are happy to explain what the readings mean.

• Red oil or temperature warning
• Thick smoke
• Fuel or coolant smell
• Sudden loss of power

What is the point of changing the cambelt and water pump together?

On engines where the belt turns the pump, the same panels and parts must come off for either job. Doing both together avoids a second bill for labour, and removes the chance of the pump failing and damaging the new belt.

Intervals come from the manufacturer and depend on age and distance. Chain engines need checking for noise and wear instead.

What should I do if my engine overheats on a country lane?

Pull in safely, switch off and leave it to cool. Do not drive on, because overheating can warp the cylinder head or blow the head gasket. Leave the cap closed until the engine is cold.

We then find the cause, whether a hose, radiator, thermostat, fan or water pump, and repair the cooling system.

On country lanes with few places to stop, plan ahead. If the car has shown any sign of running hot, have the cooling system checked before the next long run.

How do you deal with turbo, oil leak and injector problems?

We inspect first. Turbo trouble shows as whistling, smoke and weak power, oil leaks as drips and a burning smell, and injector faults as rough running or heavy smoke. Each can have several causes, so testing comes before any parts.

We will explain the options plainly and never promise a repair is possible before we have seen the car.

Engine rebuilds and replacement engine fitting are available where the damage is serious, but only after inspection tells us what the car needs.

Do you cover Hazelwood, and where are you?

Yes. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we welcome drivers from Hazelwood and the surrounding countryside, as well as Loddiswell, Kingsbridge, Modbury and South Brent.

Rural lanes make a breakdown awkward, so if the car feels unsafe, do not drive it. Ring the quote line and describe the problem.