Exhaust Repairs in Churston

Churston sits between Paignton and Brixham, so many cars here make a lot of short hops to the shops, the station or along the road towards Dartmouth. That kind of driving is hard on an exhaust system, and it is especially hard on a diesel with a particulate filter.

At Automaster we look at exhaust repairs and emissions faults as one job. A noisy back box and a failed emissions reading can look unrelated, but both start with finding out what is actually wrong rather than guessing at parts.

Why is my exhaust suddenly so loud?

A sudden roar usually means a split silencer, a blown joint or a broken mounting. Rust is the usual cause on cars that live near the coast, and short trips let moisture sit inside the pipe without ever being driven off.

A rattle from underneath is often a loose heat shield or a failing mounting rubber. It sounds minor, but a hanger that gives way can leave the pipe dragging, so it is worth having looked at soon.

• Roaring or blowing noise on acceleration
• Rattle at idle or over bumps
• Ticking that fades as the engine warms
• Pipe visibly hanging low

Is exhaust smell inside the car dangerous?

Yes. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell on its own. If you notice fumes inside the cabin, open the windows, stop driving the car and have it checked before using it again.

A leak ahead of the silencer is the most common route for gas to reach the cabin, particularly where a joint or flexible section has failed.

Can short journeys block a DPF on a diesel?

Yes. A diesel particulate filter traps soot, then burns it off during a regeneration that needs the engine hot and held at a steady speed for a while. Repeated short hops around Churston, Paignton and Brixham may never give it the chance.

If the DPF light comes on, or the car drops into limp mode with reduced power, act promptly. Carrying on can clog the filter further and, in some cases, make the repair larger.

Do you cover Churston for exhaust and DPF work?

Yes, drivers from Churston and the surrounding area come to us at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. People also bring cars in from Brixham, Paignton and Dartmouth.

If you are not sure whether the problem is the exhaust, a sensor or the engine, describe what you notice and we will explain what we would check first.

What affects the cost, and what should I tell you?

Cost depends on the vehicle, whether a section or the whole system needs replacing, how seized the fixings are, and whether a catalytic converter, DPF or sensor is involved. We do not guess without seeing the car, so please ask for a quote.

Tell us the make, model and year, whether it is petrol or diesel, any warning lights, and when the noise or smell began. If it failed an MOT emissions test, mention the reason given.