Is repairing Highlander's window washer a do-it-yourself project? | Car Doctor
Q: My 2017 Toyota Highlander has an issue with the passenger side and rear window washer not working. Is this a do-it-yourself fix or should I bring it to the dealer? Is it possible that pine tree needles caused this blockage, or is it a closed system with nothing being able to get into the fluid?
A: The system is closed, but debris and even dried-up washer solvent can clog the system. I have seen a fair number of issues with this system: clogged nozzles and weak pumps.
As a DIY project, you could take a fine needle and make sure the nozzles are clear. Then you could try blowing out the lines with low-pressure air. If this doesn’t work, I would suggest taking the car back to the dealer, where they can replace the pump and/or nozzles to get the system working properly.
Q: My current car is a 2008 Toyota Prius with about 150,000 miles on it. It is in OK shape, except it needs a new catalytic converter, which I am told will cost about $3,000.
I was interested in getting a plug-in hybrid (Hyundai Tucson PHEV), but there are none available for sale right now.
I am not sure what makes the most sense to do at this point. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a car I don't really want. Should I consider a lease? Fixing my car? Buying a used car that I will sell in a couple of years when I can get a PHEV? What cars would you recommend I consider?
A: At 14 years old, your Prius still has some life left in it. If you do decide to fix it, your next big repair may be replacement of the hybrid battery.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Hyundai Tucson is a great choice, but, like many popular vehicles, it's in short supply or priced at a premium, due to limited supply and consumer demand.
Regarding leasing, this may be a reasonable solution until you can find the car you want. There are many choices and some attractive leasing options. I would look at the Buick Encore (two-year lease), the Kia Soul or the Subaru Crosstrek (three-year lease). These three can be leased for less than $250 per month, plus a down payment.
Q: I’m having an unusual problem with the air conditioner on my 2010 Toyota Tacoma. It seems I’m getting cold air from the vent to the left of the steering wheel and hot air from the other three vents. What can you make of this problem?
A: This could be one of two problems: a door is stuck in the vent system, or the system is a little low on refrigerant charge.
I have seen a few other models where if the system is low on charge, one side will be warm and the other side cool. Start with having the air conditioner pressures checked. This will give you an idea of how the system is performing.
Q: Have you ever heard of the “hemi tick”? It seems to be pretty widespread, and Ram dealers are playing it down. I would like to find the remedy for this problem, because I sure as heck cannot afford a new truck.
A: Yes, some dealers seem to say a slight tick is normal. This issue has been around for a few years now, and your email is the third this month about the “tick.”
The issue is, in some cases, the roller lifters stick due to oil starvation and wear out the cam lobe. To prevent the wear and tick, stay on top of oil changes.
If I owned a RAM truck with the hemi-engine, I would use synthetic oil and only use the correct weight oil. Some owners may have caused the accelerated wear by using a heavier grade of oil, thinking the heaver weight would provide better lubrication.
John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Car Doctor: Is fixing Highlander's window washer a DIY project?
