Car Repairs in Modbury

Modbury is a small South Hams market town on the A379, with narrow streets, steep approaches and rural lanes in every direction. Cars here spend a lot of time in low gears, which is when turbos, injectors and cooling systems begin to show their age.

Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, serves Modbury drivers as well as people from Ermington, Ivybridge, Kingston and Kingsbridge. Read on for what we repair and how to request a quote.

Steep Modbury approaches and turbos: what to watch for?

Pulling out of a narrow street on a hill and accelerating hard is when a worn turbo shows itself. Signs include a flat feeling, a whining or whistling noise, blue or grey smoke and oil use. Turbos can also be harmed by oil starvation or dirty oil.

We diagnose before replacing, and we will explain what we found in plain words. Boost leaks, split pipes, blocked filters or sensor faults can feel similar and are not always the turbo itself.

Can injector problems come from lane driving?

Stop-start driving and short trips contribute to carbon build-up and fuel-system wear. Typical symptoms are a rough idle, hesitation, black smoke, a fuel smell and heavier fuel use. Some cars also flag a misfire warning.

Injectors, fuel pumps, filters and sensors can each be the cause. We test, find the fault and explain the repair.

• Rough idle
• Hard starting
• Black smoke under load

Why replace the cambelt and pump together?

On many engines the pump is driven by the belt, so they share the same labour. Swapping only the belt means removing everything again if the pump fails. We often recommend the two, plus tensioners, as one job.

Where the engine has a timing chain, the approach differs, and we explain it after inspection. Either way, the interval depends on your make and engine, and age counts as well as miles, so a Modbury car that mostly does short local trips can still be due.

Overheating or leaking: what comes first?

If the gauge rises, stop safely and switch off. Do not drive on, and do not open the cap while hot. For oil leaks, check the level and watch the oil warning light. Both faults can ruin an engine if ignored.

We handle cooling system and radiator repairs and oil leak repairs, and we find the source before replacing parts. Cost depends on what is leaking, how accessible it is and the parts involved, so ask for a quote and describe where you have seen drips or stains.

Do you cover Modbury, and where do I take the car?

Yes. Modbury is part of the area we serve. Bring the car to Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL.

Tell us about the fault when you ask for a quote, including whether it shows up cold, hot, on hills or only at certain speeds, because that shapes where we begin looking. We cover engine servicing, diagnostics, rebuilds and replacement engines too, if inspection shows they are needed.