Exhaust Repairs in Bigbury

Bigbury fills up in the holiday season, and the roads around Bigbury-on-Sea move at a crawl when the visitors arrive. Slow, stop-start driving followed by a run up the narrow lanes puts a particular kind of strain on an exhaust, and on diesel particulate filters that never get the steady, hot run they need.

We are Automaster, an independent garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and exhaust and emissions work on petrol and diesel vehicles is part of what we do. Below is a plain guide to the symptoms, the repair routes and the details worth having ready when you ask for a quote.

What are the signs my exhaust needs attention?

The obvious one is noise. A blowing or ticking sound at start-up, a deeper rumble than the car used to make, or a rattle from underneath all point to a leak, a loose shield or a failing silencer. Smells matter too: a sharp or sweet fumes smell around the car deserves attention, as does a smell of fuel.

Less obvious signs include poor pulling power, higher fuel use and warning lights on the dashboard, because leaks and faulty sensors change how the engine is told to run.

• Loud or blowing exhaust note
• Rattle or buzz from under the car
• Engine management or DPF light
• Car feels flat on hills or goes into limp mode

Why does my diesel keep getting a DPF warning?

A DPF burns off its soot when the exhaust runs hot for long enough, which normally happens on a decent run at steady speed. A diesel that mostly does short hops to the shop or the beach car park, or that creeps along in holiday traffic, may not get hot enough for long enough, so the soot builds up.

Do not carry on regardless. A DPF warning needs prompt attention, because a heavily blocked filter can cause limp mode and in some cases lead to larger repairs. We use diagnostics to check pressure readings, sensor behaviour and any engine faults, then talk you through cleaning, repair or replacement as appropriate for that vehicle.

How do emissions faults connect to sensors and the engine?

Modern petrol and diesel engines rely on sensors in the exhaust to tell the engine computer what is happening, and the computer adjusts fuelling in response. A failed oxygen sensor, a leak near a sensor or a misfire can all push emissions up and trigger a warning light.

That is why an emissions failure at MOT time is not always an exhaust fault in the strict sense. The cause can be an ignition problem, a sensor, a leak or a tired catalytic converter, and each needs a different fix. Fault code reading comes first, followed by checks to confirm what the codes are pointing at.

Do you cover Bigbury, and where do I bring the car?

Yes, drivers from Bigbury come to us, along with people from Ringmore, Kingston, Bantham and Thurlestone. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and you can ask about exhaust repairs, replacement or emissions diagnostics without being an existing customer.

At Automaster we also carry out MOT testing, servicing and wider repairs, so an exhaust fault found at a test or a service can be dealt with by the same garage. When you contact us, give your registration, the symptoms and the fuel type.

When should I stop driving and get help?

If exhaust fumes are getting into the cabin, stop, ventilate and have it checked, because carbon monoxide is dangerous and you may not smell it. The same applies if part of the system is hanging down, if the car has lost power badly or if an overheating warning shows alongside an emissions fault.

For a rattle or a modest increase in noise you can usually arrange a visit, but do not leave a leak for months: it can worsen, affect sensors and make a later MOT harder to pass.