Car Repairs in South Knighton

South Knighton is a small rural hamlet on country lanes in the Newton Abbot area. Cars here usually make short, slow journeys on twisty roads before joining the main routes, and that pattern leads to condensation in the oil, fuel-system deposits and cooling faults that stay hidden until the weather turns.

At Automaster we repair engines on petrol and diesel cars from our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. This page covers what the repairs involve and what to mention when asking for a quote.

What does engine diagnostic testing find?

Diagnostics reads the fault codes stored by the engine computer and shows live information from sensors. That tells us where to look, and a mechanic then checks the parts, wiring and mechanical condition. We use it for warning lights, poor running, lost power and smoke.

Servicing matters on short-trip cars especially, as oil gets diluted and filters clog sooner than the schedule assumes. Tell us how you use the car so we can advise sensibly.

• Warning lights
• Poor starting
• Lost power
• Excess smoke

Do I need the water pump and cambelt changed together?

Frequently, yes. The pump is behind the belt cover and in many designs is driven by the belt. Replacing it during the belt change adds little labour, whereas a failed pump later would mean doing the job again.

On chain-driven engines the question is different, and we look at noise, running condition and codes before recommending work. Always check the service history and tell us what is on record.

How can I tell if the radiator or cooling system is failing?

Signs include coolant on the ground, a falling level in the expansion tank, a sweet smell, a heater that blows cold and a temperature gauge that wanders up. A reading in the red means stop and let the engine cool. Driving on risks serious engine damage.

We pressure-test the system, find the leak, and repair or replace the radiator, hoses, thermostat or pump.

Short, slow journeys keep the engine below full working temperature, which can hide a thermostat that sticks open and a cooling system that is quietly losing coolant until a longer run exposes the fault.

Where do I take the car if I live in South Knighton?

Bring it to us at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL. We see drivers from Newton Abbot, Heathfield, Liverton and Abbotskerswell, as well as the hamlets around the lanes.

If the car has been losing power, overheating or leaking badly, call first and tell us. We will say whether it is sensible to drive.

What sort of turbo and fuel faults do you repair?

On a turbocharged car, whining, smoke, lost power and oil use are the main signs. Injector problems bring rough idling, hard starting and smoke, and failing pumps or blocked filters can make the engine cut out. We carry out turbo repairs and replacement, plus injector and fuel-system repairs.

Because symptoms overlap, we inspect before we say what is needed. Oil leaks get the same careful approach, with the source traced before parts are ordered.

If a warning light, a smell or a noise appeared recently, tell us exactly when you first noticed it, as that history often shortens the search.