Car Repairs in Pounds Gate

Pounds Gate is a small rural hamlet on narrow lanes near the Dartmoor edge. Driving there often means climbs, hedge-lined bends and a car that has to cope with mud, damp and plenty of low-speed work.

For repairs, drivers from the hamlet and surrounding countryside, including Caton, Buckfastleigh, Bickington and South Brent, come to our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We look after the engine side of petrol and diesel cars, and the sections below set out what the work involves.

Why is my car running badly after wet weather?

Damp can reach ignition parts, connectors and sensors, and a car on rural lanes sees more of it than most. Rough running that clears as the engine warms may point to an electrical or sensor fault, but it can also be a fuel or timing problem. We diagnose the engine properly and test the likely causes.

A service with fresh oil and filters is a good time for us to look for perished hoses, weeping gaskets and worn belts.

• Misfire in damp conditions
• Stalling when cold
• Warning light on the dash
• Hesitation under load

What happens in a cambelt and water pump replacement?

We take off the covers, lock the engine at timing position and remove the old belt, tensioner and pump. New components go in, the timing is checked and everything is refitted. Doing the pump at the same time saves labour and removes the risk of the old pump failing next.

Replacement intervals depend on the engine and the maker's schedule. Chain-driven engines have different checks, and we inspect them for noise and wear.

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

Stop at the first safe place, switch off and leave it to cool. Do not open the cap hot. A rural lane may feel like a risky place to stop, but overheating can wreck an engine in minutes if you carry on.

Leaks from hoses and the radiator, a worn water pump or a fan fault are common causes. We pressure-test the system, find the cause and repair the radiator or cooling parts as required.

Will Automaster look at my car if I live in Pounds Gate?

Yes. We are at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL, and we see drivers from small hamlets across the area. Contact us with the make, model, year and a description of the fault.

If the car is unsafe, we will tell you not to drive it in.

How are turbo, oil leak and injector faults handled?

A turbo that whistles, smokes or lacks power needs inspection, and we carry out repairs and replacements depending on what we find. Oil leaks mean tracing the exact source and renewing the gasket or seal. Injector and fuel-system work covers testing delivery, then cleaning, repairing or replacing parts.

We explain each step so you know what the repair is for.