Exhaust Repairs in Totnes

A Totnes drive is rarely a long one. Up and down Fore Street, out along the A385 or the A381, and back again to find a space near the station or the shops. That pattern is hard on an exhaust, because a system that never gets properly hot collects moisture inside and rusts from the inside out, and a diesel never gets the chance to clear itself.

At Automaster we repair and replace exhaust systems on petrol and diesel cars and vans, and we diagnose catalytic converter, DPF and emissions faults.

What does a failing exhaust sound and smell like?

The obvious sign is noise. A deep rumble or a blowing sound that gets louder under acceleration usually points to a split pipe, a failed joint or a hole in the silencer box. A metallic rattle at idle or over bumps often means a loose bracket, a broken hanger or a heat shield that has come away.

Smell matters too. A sharp whiff of fumes, a rotten egg odour or a sooty smell all deserve a proper look, and exhaust fumes inside the cabin are dangerous. If you can smell exhaust inside the car, open the windows and do not keep driving it.

• Loud or blowing exhaust
• Rattles from underneath
• Fume smell inside the car
• Warning light on the dashboard

Why does my diesel keep showing a DPF warning?

A diesel particulate filter traps soot and burns it off when the exhaust runs hot enough for long enough. Short hops around town stop that happening, so the filter slowly fills. First comes the warning light, then reduced power or limp mode, and in the end a blocked filter that needs more than a motorway run to cure.

A DPF warning needs prompt attention. Leave it and a clean-out can turn into a replacement. We diagnose whether the filter is simply loaded with soot or whether a sensor, injector or leak is stopping the burn-off.

What counts as an emissions failure at MOT?

Emissions faults often trace back to the engine and its sensors rather than to the exhaust itself. A tired oxygen sensor, a misfire, a leaking pipe before the catalytic converter or a rich running engine can each push readings out of limits. Replacing the catalytic converter without finding the cause just means the new one fails as well.

That is why we start with diagnostics: reading fault codes, checking live sensor data and inspecting the system. Catalytic converter replacement is sometimes the answer, but only once the cause is understood.

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

Yes. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL, and drivers from Totnes come to us for exhaust work, along with people from Dartington, Buckfastleigh, South Brent and Paignton. Summer visitors and the climb of Fore Street mean plenty of low-speed driving in Totnes, so tell us if your car has started to sound or smell different.

What affects the cost of an exhaust job?

Cost depends on which part has failed and how much of the system has to come off. A single clamp or hanger is a small job. A rusted section, a rear box or a catalytic converter takes more parts and more labour, and a DPF job depends on whether it can be cleaned or must be replaced.

When you ask for a quote, give us the make, model and year, the fuel type, any warning lights, and whether the noise appeared suddenly or crept up. A photo of the dashboard helps.

• Make, model and year
• Petrol or diesel
• Warning lights shown
• When the noise or smell started