Car Repairs in South Brent

South Brent is a Dartmoor-edge village by the A38 and the River Avon, a natural stopping point between Exeter and Plymouth, with hills heading up towards the moor. Cars here do long A38 runs and steep local climbs, often within the same journey.

At Automaster we repair petrol and diesel cars from South Brent, Ivybridge, Buckfastleigh, Totnes and Modbury. This page explains the engine repairs we undertake and what to tell us when you want a quote.

Do long A38 runs affect belts, pumps and turbos?

Sustained fast running is kind to an engine in some ways, but it uses up the life of a cambelt and water pump in time and miles. Higher-mileage cars that do plenty of A38 driving are the ones we most often find overdue for timing work.

A turbo on a long run produces heat for hours. If its oil supply is poor or the engine has been neglected, it can fail suddenly, so a whine or a drop in pull should be checked early.

What makes cambelt and chain work different?

A cambelt is a rubber belt with a replacement interval. A timing chain is metal and often lasts longer, but can stretch, and its guides and tensioner can wear. Rattling at start-up, a rough run and an engine warning light can point to chain trouble.

On many belt-driven engines the water pump is replaced with the belt, because the labour overlaps.

• Check the interval for your engine
• Replace tensioners with the belt
• Do not ignore a start-up rattle

What should I check if a warning light comes on?

Look at what the light is. A red oil or temperature light means stop safely and switch off. An amber engine light usually means the car has logged a fault, and diagnostics will show it.

Do not clear the code and carry on. Misfires, injector faults and sensor problems can damage other components if left, so finding out early usually saves trouble.

Which repairs can Automaster carry out?

We cover diagnostics and engine servicing, engine repairs, engine rebuilds and engine replacement and fitting, cambelt and chain replacement, water pump replacement, turbo repair and replacement, cooling system and radiator repairs, oil leak repairs and injector and fuel-system repairs.

Time and cost depend on the engine, how easy the parts are to reach, the parts needed and what we find once things are apart. We explain that in plain words, and you ask for a quote before we start. If the quote changes because we find something else, we tell you before going further.

Can I bring my South Brent car to Longcombe Cross?

Yes, South Brent is part of our patch. The garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL.

People travelling through on the A38 who have a problem are welcome to ring, and we will tell you what we think it needs. When you call, have the registration to hand, along with a clear description of any noises, smells or lights, and whether the problem appears when the engine is cold or hot.