funny stories

Funny Stories From The Shop, Podcast Episode 24

funny storiesWell folks we made it to another Friday. Because it is Friday, I thought it would be fun to share a few stories from the shop. This episode of the automotive podcast We get to have a few good laughs. Something a lot of us can use on a Friday 🙂

Today on the Show we chat about:

  • Funny things happen in every industry
  • Got yelled at about batteries when I worked in retail
  • Finding pot
  • Smelling pot
  • Passat with a secret compartment
  • Hotwheels
  • Growing mushrooms
  • Mold in a Touareg
  • Superman
  • Boogers

If you are having trouble viewing, see Funny Stories From The Shop, Podcast Episode 24 on Youtube.

As I said in the video, share your best work story in the comments below. I hope that you all enjoyed this show. If this is something you would like me to do more of, let me know in the comments below.

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Lava Soap Review

Lava Soap Review

Happy Thursday everyone! As you may know, Thursday is the day I do reviews. Today is not a tool review day. It is a review of something that is very important in the shop, SOAP! Clean up is a very important part of shop work, work around the house, and in the yard.

About Lava Soap
It is funny when you bring up Lava, so many people remember using it as a kid. In 1893, a bar soap formulated with volcanic pumice particles for extra scrubbing power was created in St. Louis, Missouri. Lava® was chosen as the name to remind consumers of the pumice it contains. In 1927, advertising helped build the Lava Brand as the brand that gets extra dirty hands really clean. In 1967, reformulation makes Lava more appealing with better scent and its signature green color. In 1995, the Lava Liquid hand pump was introduced. In 1999, Lava became part of the WD-40 Company.

Today we look at:

  • Initial thoughts
  • Light pumice
  • Subtle scent
  • Getting dirty with the Cabby
  • How it works on dried paint
  • Good rinse
  • Very soft hands

If you are having trouble watching on the blog, you can see Lava Soap Review on YouTube.

You can get Lava on Amazon Lava Bar Soap 5.75 Oz Green

As always, if you have any questions or comments, post them in the comment section below. Also, if you have a hand washing product that you love, post that up too. If you have a product or tool you would like me to review, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com or use the contact me form.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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Failed VW swaybar link

Shop Shots Volume 82 Insider Pictures of Automotive Service

Hi everybody. If you are a fan of The Simpsons, you totally just thought “Hi Dr. Nick” 🙂

Today is Wednesday, and that means it is Shop Shots day. I was going back to get the volume number for today’s post. I didn’t realize that the last Shop Shots was from BFI! Holy smokes. For those of you that are new to the blog, Shop Shots is something I started to share the things that automotive techs see. With these pictures I can get into a little more detail than I can with a post of Facebook.

VW Bushing

First up we have a split control arm bushing for a MK4 Jetta wagon. Just below where the nut and bolt is, you will see what is left of a bushing. This Jetta has about 220k miles on the original bushings. This bushing failure is somewhat common on this generation of Golf/Beetle/Jetta. I have to say, this is  the worst one I have seen. This car must have been making one heck of a noise for a while.

VW Strut mount bushingsNext up is also a VW bushing issue. The last failed bushing was a lower bushing, this is an upper one. The upper strut tower bushings completely broke apart. Because of that, the strut cap popped up and broke the trim at the bottom of the windshield. I have seen a ton of collapsed strut mount bushings over the years, but never one that broke the trim.

Failed VW swaybar linkI promise that I didn’t plan for broken Jetta suspension day today. This picture has just all kinds of bad things happening. In the foreground of the picture, you see a swaybar link that has completely come apart. That is the really rusted part. In the background, you can see that the outer CV boot is split.

The funny part is, the customer told us he didn’t want to know ANYTHING that was wrong with his car. He just wanted the oil changed and nothing else. I guess in this case, ignorance is bliss? Maybe?

Well that wraps up an other volume of Shop Shots. I really didn’t plan to have it be Jetta suspension problem day. It is funny how the universe works some times. As always, if you have any questions or comments, post them below. You can also this contact me form, or email me Charles(at)HumbleMechanic.com

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10 Habits of Successful Technicians; Podcast Episode 23

10 Habits of Successful Technicians; Podcast Episode 23

Happy Monday everyone. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Today we are talking about 10 habits of a Successful Technician. Even the best technicians or mechanics can stand to tune up our game. I sat down that thought of the things that I am really good at and the things that I struggle with.

As I say in every show and post, be sure to post any questions or comments below. This is a community for all of us. I want to be sure that everyone feels good about posting their thoughts. So if you have a tip or a habit you can share, please share it.

Join in as we chat about:

  1. Be Punctual
  2. Have the right tools
  3. Known your product
  4. NEVER forget the basics
  5. Listen
  6. Work smart
  7. Always keep learning
  8. Know when to ask for help
  9. Do not be scared of a job
  10. Work with your customers

If you are having trouble watching, you can see it at 10 Habits of Successful Technicians; Podcast Episode 23

As always your questions and comments are encouraged and appreciated. If you have any tips you would like to share, please post them in the comments below. If you have a show topic suggestion, use the contact me form, or email me Charles(AT)humblemechanic(DOT)com

Be sure to check out and follow at:

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behind the wrench with PAUL DAP

Behind The Wrench ~ Paul Deutsche Auto Parts ~ Episode 22

Happy Friday everyone. Today we are bringing back an old favorite,  Behind The Wrench.

This is an interview series I started very early in the blog’s life. It was a way to get to know some of the other parts of the auto industry. Well due to my lack of time, I had to put that series on hold. It took a lot of time to format the interviews so they were easy to read. Well, I think I figured out a way to bring this back, and in video form.

Today we get to sit down with Paul owner of Deutsche Auto Parts. They are VW and Audi parts specialist with a huge selection of everything VW/Audi. We get to learn a little more about Paul and his VW background.

If you are having trouble viewing, watch it on YouTube Behind The Wrench ~ Paul Deutsche Auto Parts ~ Episode 22

If you have any questions for Paul, post them in the comments below. Also be sure to check out his VW DIY videos.

Also check them out at:

 

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Makita Drill and Driver Combo Review

Makita Drill and Impact Combo Review ~ Podcast Episode 21

Hey everyone! Today is Thursday, so it is tool review day. Today I have the most used tool in my box. The Makita impact driver, and drill combo CT200RW. I have owned 4 of the impacts, and 2 drills. So I am a big fan of this tool. The price point is from $179-$199.

One quick thing, I did a little “fixing” of the audio in this show. Let me know what you guys think. Shout out to Jason from Engineering Explained for recommending it.

Today we look at:Makita Drill and Driver Combo Review

  • Makita drill
    2 speed
    Adjustable Torque
    Keyless Chuck
    Brake
    Light
  • Makita Impact Driver
    1/4 quick lock
    Great Power
    Great Speed
    118ftlb torque
  • The Charger
    Its a battery charger that plays a little tune 😉

If you are having trouble viewing, watch it on YouTube Makita Drill and Impact Combo Review ~ Podcast Episode 20

Thanks for watching! What is the most used tool in your tool box? If there is a tool you would like me to review, please use the contact me form, or shoot me an email to Charles(At)Humblemechanic(dot)com.

Be sure to check out and follow at:

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VR6 Engine

The VR6 Explained – with Engineering Explained

The VR6 EngineToday we have something totally different. A few weeks ago Jason from Engineering Explained, one of the best channels on YouTube, and I did a video collaboration. Well, he did all the hard work, and I just rambled about the VR6.

His fans had been asking him to do a video explaining about VW’s VR6 engine. It just so happened that I had a few VR6 parts around the shop. One of the things about the Cabby build, plenty of extra parts. I sent him some video of the engine block and the cylinder head. He mated that with an incredible white board explanation of how the VR6 works.

As you guys know, I have an affinity for the VR6. It is such a cool design, not to mention that it looks SWEET in the MK1 Cabby. I also shot some audio of how wonderful the exhaust note is.

If you are having trouble watching on the blog, check out VR6 Explained on YouTube.

Well folks, there you have it. You are now experts on the VR6 engine. Big thanks to Jason for letting me work with him on this video. Check out all his amazing work at:

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