Car Repairs in Torbay

Torbay, the English Riviera, spreads Torquay, Paignton and Brixham around Tor Bay, and the hills, seafront traffic and summer visitor numbers make for demanding driving. A car here may spend half its life climbing out of town and the other half crawling along the front.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, handling repairs for petrol and diesel cars. This page explains the engine, cooling, turbo, oil and fuel-system faults we see, how we deal with them, and what to tell us when you ask for a quote.

Which Torbay car problems need a mechanic first?

Some faults are safe to monitor and some are not. Stop driving if the engine is overheating, if the oil warning light stays on, or if there is a loud knocking from the engine. Carrying on can turn a repair into a replacement engine.

Less urgent but still worth booking in are oil drips, a slight loss of power, rattles on start-up, smoke from the exhaust and warning lights that come and go. Early inspection is usually cheaper in the end than waiting.

• Overheating or low coolant
• Oil pressure or oil level warnings
• Knocking, rattling or grinding from the engine

Why should the water pump be changed with the timing belt?

On many engines the belt drives the water pump, and getting to both means stripping the same covers. Fitting a new belt and leaving an old pump risks a second strip-down if the pump fails soon after.

Failure of either can be serious: a snapped belt may damage valves and pistons, and a failed pump leads to overheating. We replace the tensioner and idlers as the engine requires. Intervals vary by make and engine, so ask us what applies to yours.

If you are unsure when the belt was last changed and there is no paperwork, assume it needs attention and ask us.

What happens when a turbo or injector fails?

A turbo in trouble often whines, loses power and smokes. Injectors in trouble cause rough running, hard starting, poor economy and sometimes black smoke from diesels. Both can leave the car in limp mode.

We read fault codes and then test the components themselves, so we are replacing parts for a reason. Whether a turbo or injector can be repaired or needs replacing is something we can only say after inspection.

• Whining noise and power loss
• Rough idle or misfire
• Higher fuel use than normal

Can you stop my engine leaking oil?

Yes in most cases, once the source is found. Leaks come from gaskets, seals, oil cooler pipes, filter housings and worn components. We clean, trace and fix the real source rather than the nearest drip.

Heavy use on hills and in traffic can make leaks worse. If the oil level drops between services, check it and top it up while you arrange an inspection.

Do you take cars from across Torbay?

Drivers from Torquay areas such as St Marychurch and Ellacombe, from Paignton and Brixham, and from further afield all come to Automaster. We are at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes.

Include the make, model, year and engine when you ask for a quote, along with what you have noticed and any dashboard warnings.