STRIPPED ENGINE BOLTS

Stripped engine bolts can cause a range of problems including instability, depending on the severity of the issue, how many bolts have been affected, and the exact presentation of the problems. In most cases, your mechanic can replace the affected bolts, but there can be additional repairs necessary, especially if a majority of the engine bolts are affected before you notice the problem. In a worst-case scenario, if the bolts are stripped and the engine block is moving improperly as a result, there can be additional damage and your mechanic might recommend replacing the block. In some cases, mechanics will also recommend widening the bolt holes to accommodate a slightly larger bolt as a repair option. However, this isn’t necessarily a common repair option.

RUPTURED OIL LINES

Unfortunately, one of the known issues with the Toyota Highlander is that some of the oil lines are known to burst. These lines can cause serious leaks that quickly drain the system of oil, making them among the more damaging and concerning oil leaks a vehicle can develop. There is a revised oil line system that’s been released from Toyota to help fix this problem, unfortunately, it seems to have similar problems. That means that you need to keep an eye on your oil levels, and if you suspect you have a ruptured oil line it’s a good idea to tow your vehicle to a mechanic instead of driving – the oil leak is fast enough that you may not have good oil pressure the whole drive. Thankfully, replacing the lines isn’t all that difficult, but it is critical to keep your Highlander running properly. This is a repair that you may need several times throughout a Highlander’s functional life.

SENSOR ISSUES

The Highlander is also known to have several sensors that can go bad suddenly or that cause significant problems when they go bad. Sensors can go bad in any vehicle, and a replacement is usually the fix unless a recalibration is possible. In the Highlander, the O2 sensor is one of the most known problems, but there are also some problems with the door sensors that can cause the vehicle to make a loud alarming sound without warning. Your mechanic should be able to identify and resolve sensor problems relatively quickly as long as only 1 sensor is being affected. If more than one sensor is affected it can take longer to find the source of the problem.
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FAULTY HEAD GASKET

Head Gasket issues aren’t uncommon, and a lot of vehicles will eventually need a head gasket replacement thanks to the immense heat and pressure inside a working engine. Unfortunately, head gasket problems are also some of the more expensive problems to address because the gasket needs to be completely replaced. While there are sealants on the market to address this problem, they rarely work, and even when they work the fix is temporary. You may notice head gasket problems in the form of white clouds from your exhaust, or milky-colored oil in the engine. Both are signs that coolant is leaking into the oil, which is one of the early signs of a head gasket failure.
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AC CONDENSER PROBLEMS

Your AC condenser is critical if you want cool air to work in your Highlander. Condensers can fail outright, requiring a replacement, but the more common problem is that they don’t work as well when they’re dirty. Cleaning your condenser can often resolve the problem. Of course, any time you have AC issues it’s a good idea to consult with a mechanic because a coolant leak or other problems can quickly damage the compressor and other parts of the AC – which can lead to expensive system replacements. Want to keep your Highlander working like new? Whether you need routine maintenance or to diagnose and repair a problem, Precision Auto Care is just a phone call away.

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