Exhaust Repairs in Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a historic port on the River Dart with steep, narrow streets, ferries and the Britannia Royal Naval College above the town. In the visitor season the traffic builds, and driving becomes a sequence of hill starts, queues and short hops. All of that is hard on exhaust systems and on diesel particulate filters.

We are Automaster, an independent garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we handle exhaust repairs, catalytic converters and emissions diagnostics on petrol and diesel vehicles. This page covers the symptoms, the work and what to include in a quote request.

What does heavy town driving do to an exhaust?

Hill starts and queues mean a lot of cold running and idling. Condensation lingers in the pipework and silencer, rust takes hold and joints weaken. The sharp changes in temperature and load stress mounts and flexible sections.

If you hear a new rattle or boom after a busy summer, the system may be on its way out. Early attention usually means a simpler job.

How do I tell whether my DPF is blocked?

Look for a dashboard warning, reduced power, limp mode or a car that feels flat on the climb out of town. Diesels used for short hops around Dartmouth are especially likely to suffer, because the filter does not get the sustained heat it needs.

A DPF warning needs prompt attention. We diagnose the cause, checking the filter loading, sensors and engine, since a blockage can be a symptom of something else. Then we explain whether cleaning, repair or replacement is suited to the vehicle.

• Warning light
• Limp mode
• Loss of power on hills
• Rise in fuel use

Do you cover Dartmouth, and where is the garage?

Yes. Drivers from Dartmouth bring cars to Longcombe Cross near Totnes, as do people from Churston, Brixham, Kingsbridge and Totnes itself. You do not need to be an existing customer to ask about exhaust or emissions work.

Automaster also carries out MOT testing, servicing and general repairs, so an exhaust fault found elsewhere in the process can be dealt with in one place. Please give us the registration, fuel type and symptoms when you enquire.

What is the link between emissions faults and the engine?

The engine computer relies on exhaust sensors to set the fuel mixture. A faulty sensor, a leak or a misfire can raise emissions and trigger a warning light, and unburnt fuel can ruin a catalytic converter.

That means an emissions failure is often an engine-management question as much as an exhaust one. We read the codes, test the sensors and inspect the pipework to find out which, then explain the options.

When should I stop driving?

Stop if you smell fumes inside the car, as exhaust gas is dangerous. The same applies when a pipe is hanging, when the car loses power suddenly or when a warning light flashes.

A modest rattle gives you time to arrange a visit, but do not let a leak run on for months. It can damage sensors, fail an MOT and get worse.