Car Repairs in Kingston

Kingston sits among narrow, high-hedged lanes near the coast, and the cars that live there work harder than most people realise. Short hops between hedges, slow second-gear crawls behind a tractor and busy holiday weeks all put wear on engines, cooling systems and fuel systems.

At Automaster we repair petrol and diesel cars, and engine and mechanical work is a big part of what we do. If a warning light has come on, the car is smoking, or something simply does not sound right, this page explains what we look at and what to tell us when you ask for a quote.

What does a mechanic in Kingston actually check when the engine is running badly?

We start with a proper diagnosis rather than guessing. That means reading fault codes, listening to the engine, checking fluid levels and condition, and looking for leaks, worn belts and failing sensors. Codes point us towards a system, but they rarely name the broken part on their own.

Only once we know the cause do we talk about the repair. Engine servicing, engine repairs, and in serious cases a rebuild or replacement engine are all possible routes, but we would never promise any of them before the car has been inspected.

Why are the cambelt and water pump often replaced together?

On many engines the water pump is driven by the timing belt or sits right behind it. To reach the belt, much of the same front-of-engine work has to be done, so fitting a new pump at the same time avoids paying for that labour twice. A pump that fails later can also damage a fresh belt.

Other engines use a timing chain instead, and chains do not have the same fixed replacement schedule. We look at stretch, noise on start-up and the condition of the guides. Check your handbook for the belt interval, and tell us the make, model and year when you ask for a quote.

What should I do if my car is overheating on a Kingston lane?

Pull over somewhere safe as soon as you can and switch off. Do not keep driving with the temperature gauge in the red, because an overheated engine can warp the cylinder head or blow a head gasket, turning a modest repair into a very large one. Never open the expansion cap while the engine is hot.

Common causes are low coolant, a leaking hose, a failed thermostat, a blocked or leaking radiator or a worn water pump. We pressure-test the system, find where the coolant is going and repair or replace what has failed.

How do I tell if it is a turbo, an oil leak or an injector problem?

A failing turbo often whistles or whines, loses power under load and may blow blue or grey smoke. Oil leaks usually leave drips on the drive and a burning smell, and the usual culprits are gaskets, seals and filter housings. Injector and fuel-system faults tend to show as hard starting, rough idle, black smoke or heavier fuel use.

Low oil does real damage quickly, so check the dipstick if you suspect a leak. If the oil warning light comes on, stop driving.

• Whistling or loss of power: turbo
• Drips and burning smell: oil leak
• Rough idle or smoke: injectors

Do you cover Kingston, and where do I bring the car?

Yes. Drivers from Kingston, Bigbury, Ringmore, Modbury and Kingsbridge bring their cars to us at Longcombe Cross, near Totnes. Our site is the one address for all engine, cooling and fuel-system work.

If the car is unsafe, do not risk it on the lanes. Phone the quote line and describe what is happening.