Exhaust Repairs in Salcombe

In Salcombe the driving is short, steep and slow. Hills climb straight from the waterfront, streets are narrow, parking is limited and the town fills with visitors in the holiday season. For an exhaust system that means lots of cold starts, plenty of idling and very little of the steady running that keeps pipes dry and filters clear.

We are a South Devon garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and Automaster handles exhaust and emissions problems on petrol and diesel cars and vans. Here is what to look for, what we do about it and what we need from you.

Why do short, steep journeys wear exhausts?

Cold starts are the culprit. After a short run the exhaust has not reached the temperature needed to dry out condensation, so water sits inside the silencer and pipes and rusts them from inside. Add salty coastal air outside and the metal is attacked from both directions.

Steep climbs also load the engine hard for a short time, and a car with a weak exhaust mount may shake or knock more on rough surfaces. Heat shields that have worked loose can start to rattle at these moments.

What does a DPF warning mean in a town car?

A diesel that spends most of its time on short trips around Salcombe may never get the long hot run its particulate filter needs. Soot builds up, a light comes on and the car can lose power or enter limp mode.

This needs prompt attention. We check the filter loading, the sensors and the engine for the underlying cause, because a filter that keeps blocking is often telling you about something else, such as injectors, an EGR valve or oil quality. Then we advise whether cleaning, repair or replacement is suitable for that vehicle.

• Warning light that returns after clearing
• Reduced power on hills
• Strong smell or smoke from the tailpipe
• Fuel use creeping up

Where do I bring my car if I live in Salcombe?

Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from Salcombe come to us, along with people from Kingsbridge, Thurlestone, Loddiswell and Bantham, and you are welcome to ask about exhaust work whether or not you are an existing customer.

Automaster also carries out MOT testing and servicing, so a car with an emissions failure or a noisy exhaust can be looked at alongside anything else it needs. Give us the registration, the fuel and the symptoms when you get in touch.

What happens to the catalytic converter when the engine misfires?

Unburnt fuel reaching the converter can overheat it and damage the honeycomb inside, which then rattles, restricts flow or stops cleaning the gas properly. That is why a misfire or a persistent warning light should not be left.

When a converter has failed, we look at why. Replacing it without sorting out a misfire, a sensor fault or an oil-burning problem would just shorten the life of the new one. Diagnosis comes first so the repair lasts.

Is it safe to keep going with a fumes smell?

No. Exhaust gas can include carbon monoxide, which is dangerous inside a car. If you smell fumes in the cabin, open the windows, stop driving and have it checked.

A loud exhaust without a fumes smell is less urgent but should not be ignored, as holes grow and can cause an MOT failure. If a pipe is hanging or dragging, stop and get it secured.