Exhaust Repairs in Buckfastleigh

Buckfastleigh stands on the edge of Dartmoor beside the A38, with the steam railway and Buckfast Abbey bringing visitors through the town. Locals face climbs onto the moor, cold damp mornings and a good deal of stop-start traffic when the tourist season is busy.

That mix is not kind to an exhaust. Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, repairs and replaces exhaust systems and looks into catalytic converter, DPF and emissions faults on petrol and diesel vehicles.

Why does an exhaust wear out faster on moorland roads?

Water is the enemy. Every cold start sends steam through the system, and if the car is only used for short runs the moisture stays and corrodes the silencer boxes from within. Add damp Dartmoor air, wet lanes and grit, and the outside suffers too.

Rough roads and cattle grids shake the pipework, so hangers and brackets fatigue and crack. The result is a rattle, a drone or a blowing note that grows over time.

• Blowing or roaring noise
• Dragging or rattling pipe
• Smell of fumes
• Visible rust or holes

My diesel is losing power on hills. Could it be the DPF?

It could. A partly blocked particulate filter restricts the exhaust flow, and the first place you notice it is on a climb, when the engine wants more air and cannot breathe out. A warning light and limp mode are the next steps.

Soot builds up fastest when the car does short trips and never holds a steady higher speed. Prompt attention matters, because a filter left too long can go beyond cleaning. We check for the underlying fault as well, as sensors, leaks and engine problems can all stop regeneration working.

What causes a catalytic converter or emissions fault?

Catalytic converters rarely fail alone. Oil burning, a misfire, a poor fuel mixture or a faulty oxygen sensor can overheat or contaminate one. Warning lights, a smell of rotten eggs, poor economy and a failed MOT emissions test are common signs.

We use diagnostics to read the codes and watch the sensor data live, then inspect the pipework for leaks that confuse the readings. Replacement is recommended only when the evidence points to it.

Can I bring my car to Automaster from Buckfastleigh?

Yes. We are at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL, and Buckfastleigh drivers are welcome along with those from Buckfast, South Brent and Holne. If you are unsure whether the noise is the exhaust or something else, tell us what you hear and when.

Mention if it is worse on the climbs out of town, on a cold start or when the A38 is at speed.

What should I tell you when I want a quote?

Exhaust costs depend on which section has failed, how corroded the fixings are and whether the part is a straight pipe, a silencer or a catalytic converter. DPF work depends on the diagnosis and the vehicle.

Give us as much of this as you can and we can say what the job is likely to involve.

• Make, model and year
• Petrol or diesel
• Lights on the dash
• Noise, smell or loss of power