Q: My 2012 Passat brake pedal felt soft and went to the floor last summer. The shop determined that air was in the lines and bled the brakes. The problem returned a few weeks later. They replaced the master cylinder and bled the brakes again. The problem returned again in a few weeks, and they bled the brakes again. But the problem keeps arising. Each time the shop bleeds the brakes, they confirm there is no fluid leak or air in the lines. The shop is unable to diagnose the root cause. Any suggestions?
A: It sounds like it’s still a master cylinder problem. Perhaps you got a bad replacement part. It happens. But I wouldn’t rule out a bad brake caliper. The piston may not be behaving properly.
Too long to wait
Q: I have a 2011 Jeep Liberty with a blown engine. My warranty will cover a replacement, but the dealership service department is telling me that it will take up to nine months to get a remanufactured engine. Why is the dealership saying that? I have had it in there three months already.
A: I don’t know where the dealership sources its engines, but there is a company in Jasper, Ind., (jasperengines.com) that I have used for many years, and I’ve never had to wait that long. Discuss getting a remanufactured engine from Jasper with your service manager. Another option to investigate is having an independent shop replace the engine and then seeking reimbursement from the dealership.
Wiper wisdom
Q: Is it OK to leave the wipers up in a strong wind?
A: I’ve never had a problem nor heard of a problem from anyone else. It beats letting the wipers freeze to the windshield and getting destroyed when switched on.
Check the batteries
Q: I have a 2012 Honda Insight, which has been reliable. But a few months ago, first the Check Tires light came on, then the TPMS light. I took it to the dealer, who just put air in the tires and said they couldn’t find anything else wrong. Then two weeks ago, it happened again, and they put air in the tires and sent me on my way. The light was off when they finished, but yesterday it came back on again. I’ve heard that cold weather can cause this, and we were in the midst of a cold spell. Do you think that could be the cause?
A: I think it’s highly unlikely. There may be a slow leak in one of the tires. Other than that, perhaps a tire pressure sensor’s battery is getting low. The batteries are expected to last 10 years, and you have gone beyond that.
