Car Repairs in Stoke-in-Teignhead

Stoke-in-Teignhead is a village on narrow lanes between Torquay and the Teign estuary, near Shaldon and Teignmouth. There is little public transport to lean on, so a car off the road for a week is a real problem.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We repair petrol and diesel cars, and drivers from the villages and countryside around the estuary bring them to us for engine, cooling, turbo, oil and fuel-system work.

What counts as a warning sign on a country-lane car?

Lane driving means frequent gear changes, tight turns and the odd reverse into a gateway. It also means a breakdown can leave you somewhere awkward, so noticing early signs matters.

Look for oil on the drive, a coolant smell, a whine from the engine bay, smoke, hard starting or a dashboard warning. Each has a different cause, and we sort them with diagnostics rather than guesswork.

If a fault only appears when the engine is cold, or only after a longer run, tell us. Intermittent problems are easier to find when we know the pattern, and we can test for it rather than waiting for it to appear.

• Hard starting or stalling
• Oil or coolant drips
• Warning light that stays on

Why do you change a cambelt and water pump together?

Both are reached through the same covers, and the belt often drives the pump. Fitting a new belt and leaving an old pump invites a repeat job.

A belt that breaks without warning can ruin the valves and pistons on many engines, which is why the interval matters. Check the book for your car or ask us. Timing chain cars need listening to for rattle at start-up.

Can I drive on if the engine runs hot?

No. Stop safely, switch off and let it cool. Driving on risks a blown head gasket and serious engine damage, and in a village miles from the nearest repair shop that is a poor gamble.

We pressure test the cooling system, look at the radiator, hoses, thermostat, fan and pump, then repair or replace what has failed.

• Gauge in the red
• Steam from the bonnet
• Low coolant warning

What about turbos, injectors and oil leaks?

Turbo failures show as whining, smoke and a loss of power. Injector faults cause rough running and poor economy. Oil leaks show as drips or a burning smell.

Each of these needs the real cause identified. We inspect, test and explain before we replace anything, and we will say whether a part can be repaired.

Because village drivers often go further for shopping and work, a repair done properly the first time saves a second trip. We would rather inspect thoroughly and explain than patch and hope.

Do you cover Stoke-in-Teignhead?

Yes. Drivers come to us from Stoke-in-Teignhead, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, St Marychurch and Milber. The garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes.

For a quote, tell us the make, model, year and engine, what you have noticed and when it happens. Rural cars often get a hard time on cold starts, so mention that if relevant.