January 2015 – Humble Mechanic

A look At Vehicle Safety Systems ~ Podcast Episode 39

Happy Friday everyone. I hope that you all had a great week. Can you believe it is almost February already? Today we are going to talk about something that I kinda nerd out on. That is vehicle safety and safety systems. There is so much more to staying safe in an accident than just airbags and seat belts.

Sadly this came about because my best buddy wrecked his Civic. He does not know the total amount of damage yet, but I can promise you it is not the $30k worth of damage my friend Jack’s Ferrari had.

Join me as we talk safety:

Active safety systems
Passive safety systems
Airbags
Seatbelts
Radios and A/C controls
Dashboards
Steering columns
Headrests
Engine mounts
Crumple zones
Fenders
Side panels
My totaled Civic
and more

Having trouble viewing? Watch “A look At Vehicle Safety Systems ~ Podcast Episode 39” On YouTube.

As always, your comments are more than welcome. I hope that no one has to comment that they were in an accident. But what other safety features do cars have that we do not commonly think about?

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January 30, 2015/1 Comment/by Charles

Video

Power Probe Review and Demo ~ Video

A ton of you guys have asked me for a Power Probe review and demo. Well today we take a look at the Power Probe II AND the Power Probe III. I am luck enough to work in a show with some amazing guys. My good buddy Tony let me borrow his Power Probe to show you.

I shot a video a while back checking fuses with a test light. It is a good to see how checking fuses with a Power Probe is different than a test light. Checking fuses 2005 VW Passat (the same Passat as this video) 🙂

Today we look power up and check out:

Power Probe II
Power Probe III with Voltmeter
The Newest Power Probe Hook (this thing is AMAZING!)
Checking fuses with a Power Probe
Powering components with the Power Probe.
Add-ons for the Power Probe.
The sights and sounds of the Power Probe
Customizing a Power Probe
Replaceable parts
Lighting a light bulb
Powers and Grounds
and more

Having trouble viewing? Watch “Power Probe Review and Demo ~ Video” on Youtube.

As always, post your comments below. Do you have a Power Probe? How do you use it? If you have a tool you would like for me to review, use the contact me form. Or email me Charles(at)HumbleMechanic(dot)com, and put TOOL REVIEW in the subject.
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January 29, 2015/3 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

Thoughts on Techs Moving Away From Dealerships ~ Episode 38

Happy Wednesday everyone. I hope that you are all rocking it this week. Today you have me in the car with another GoPro video. I really do like doing these. Once the sun is up later, I can start doing them more. It doesn’t make for a great watch when it is dark outside.

I always love your comments. This is a show that your thoughts really make the show great. So post them up! 🙂 Also, my uploader did not upload in HD. That version is coming later today.

Join me today as we chat about

Techs leaving dealerships
What is the “next step” for a good tech
Dealerships and brands do not have the answer
I don’t really have the answer either
Me worried about getting pulled over
and more

Having trouble viewing? Watch “Thoughts on Techs Moving Away From Dealerships ~ Episode 38” on YouTube.

As always, your thoughts and comments are more than welcome. If you have an idea for a show, use the contact me form, or email me Charles(at)HumbleMechanic(dot)com

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January 28, 2015/15 Comments/by Charles

Video

How The VW Evap Purge Valve N80 Fails ~ Video

Today we take a look at more failed VW parts. This is the show where we look at how VW parts work, how they fail, and ways we can diagnose failures. We are looking at the Evap Purge Valve also known as the N80 valve. Something I didn’t mention in the video is, the N80 valve is called that because VW uses N80 as the identifier for that valve. Every valve, motor, and module is identified in a similar way.

Sponsor Of The Day
Today’s show is sponsored by Deutsche Auto Parts. They are the VW and Audi parts experts. They have great prices and awesome service. Plus they work really hard on a ton of VW DIY videos. Paul and the boys at DAP are awesome. Check them out! Here is a link to the N80 valve. Be sure to have your V.I.N. There are several different valves. VW N80 Valve

Join me today has we look at the N80 valve:

How VW Evap systems work. Link to Bentley Video
What the Evap Purge Valve does
How Evap Purge Valve works
How Evap Purge Valves fail
Signs of a failing Evap Purge Valve
Diagnosing an Evap Purge Valve
Is this a DIY part?
And More

Having trouble viewing? Watch “How The VW Evap Purge Valve N80 Fails ~ Video” on YouTube.

As always, your questions and comments are welcome. Please post them below. If you would like to suggest a part of a show like this, email me Charles(at)HumbleMechanic(dot)com. Also thanks to VW for hooking up some sweat VW Driver Gear.

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January 27, 2015/5 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

Viewer’s Questions ~ Podcast Episode 37

V.I.M. Triple Square Set

Happy Monday everyone. I hope that you all had an amazing weekend. I can tell you that you guys freaking CRUSHED IT, on the 1st Lava Soap giveaway. I have 2 more so stay tuned for that. This is Episode 37 of the Podcast, and like all Monday’s I am taking your questions. To get a question in for a show like this, email me Charles(at)HumbleMechanic(dot)com with QUESTION FOR CHARLES in the subject.

Important links from the show

Camera I use. I use the lens that came on the camera. This is also the newer model. It seems mine is discontinued.
Mic I use
Tripod I use (it is kinda meh, the head does not hold tight)
Triple Square set I recommended.

Today on the automotive podcast we look at:

Tips for buying a used VW
Evacuating engine oil on newer VWs
The camera and equipment I use for producing the show
10k oil changes
Subframe shifting
Restoring electrical power after replacing a battery
Golf R vs WRX the choice has been made 😉
Triple square fasteners and bits
Soot on exhaust pipes
MK1 Caddy swap with an automatic transmission
Transmission issues MK1 Jetta
And more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer’s Questions ~ Podcast Episode 37” on Youtube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Question for Charles in the subject.

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January 26, 2015/1 Comment/by Charles

Video

Volkswagen DSG Transmission Explained ~ with Engineering Explained

Hey Everyone. You may remember a while back I posted some picture of an upcoming video collaboration with Jason from Engineering Explained. Well I had Jason out to the garage and we shot some fun videos of the DSG transmission. Rumor has it, there will also be an outtakes video coming soon 😉 It IS out, just scroll down to the bottom of the page 😛

In this video we look at:

How DSGs work
2 part input shaft
DSG Duel Clutches
DSG Power flow
DSG Shifting
DSG Control
Mechatronic unit
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “DSG Explained” on YouTube

I also followed that up with “Viewer Questions on DSG Transmissions, Podcast Episode 30“. On that show, I answer all your questions on the DSG transmission. You can also see our other collaboration video on the VW Vr6 engine. If you have more questions about DSG transmissions, use the contact me form, or email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with DSG QUESTION in the subject.

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OUTTAKES AND BLOOPERS

Having trouble viewing? Watch “Outtakes & Bloopers – DSG Transmission” on YouTube.

January 25, 2015/2 Comments/by Charles

Humble Mechanic

Lava Soap Giveaway on FACEBOOK!

Hey everyone! Thanks for playing in the Lava Soap giveaway. I did a Lava Soap Review a while back. When they asked me to review the soap, I asked them for something to give away to you guys. Well they came up big. Here are the important details