June 2015 – Humble Mechanic

How A VW Throttle Body Failed with VAG-COM Demo ~ Video

Today we are looking at more failed Volkswagen and Audi parts. This part is not the most common failing part, but they do fail. In addition to the normal flow of a failed parts video, I have added some basic Vag-Com diagnostic DIY. These failures can occur on just about any generation of Volkswagen or Audi.

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 fellas at DAP are awesome. Also check out their new site at SHOPDAP.com

Join me today as we break down:

What is Throttle Body
Who can control the VW Throttle body
How does a cable driven VW throttle body work
How does a VW drive by wire throttle body work
How a VW throttle body fails
Symptoms of a failing VW throttle body
How to diagnose a failing VW throttle body
Vag-Com Demo of Throttle Body
Throttle body locations
Can you DIY a VW throttle body
Tips on ABA throttle body replacement.
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How A VW Throttle Body Failed with VAG-COM Demo ~ 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. Thanks again to Deutsche Auto Parts for being such a great sponsor.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

June 30, 2015/0 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

Shop Update and Viewer Questions ~ Episode 78

Happy Monday everyone. As you know, Mondays are the show where I take your questions. To get an automotive question answered on a show like this, email me Charles(AT)humblemechanic(DOT)com. Be sure to put “Question for Charles” in the subject. In addition to taking your questions, I have a few announcements.

Garage Update
I have mentioned before that we are finishing out the shop/studio. It is the reason that I moved the studio into the house. Well this past weekend, they ran all the electrical wiring. Next week they are coming to do drywall. I will keep the updates coming, and I can’t wait to get back into the garage. There will be a few new additions to the show after that move.

Sponsor of the Day.
I am also very happy to say that we have a new sponsor. CRP Automotive has joined up to help sponsor the Humble Mechanic Podcast. CRP deals in a ton of OE automotive parts. They also make the factory DSG fluid for VW. Having them as a sponsor will give us access to more information about fluids than I would ever get from VW. I am really excited to have them as a resource of information. I even sent a question over to them for a more in depth answer.

Join me today as I answer:

Getting a key other than at the dealer
Issues with 1.8t Beetle
How VW coolant temperature sensors fail
Display for car’s vitals
Getting a job at a dealer
How I landed my job at the dealer
Moving up from Service Express
My thoughts on induction cleaning services
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Shop Update and Viewer Questions ~ Episode 78” 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. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

June 29, 2015/3 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

The State Of The Shop 5 ~ Podcast Episode 77

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today we are talking “State Of The Shop”. This is the show that we chat about the overall happenings at my VW dealer. This will be the 5th “TSOTS” episode. I really dig doing these videos. It is a great way to let you guys know some of the odd ball things that are going on, as well as updates and VW recalls. It is like the Podcast version of “Shop Shots”. You can see all the TSOTS episodes at The State Of The Shop.

Sponsor of the day:
Rain Eater wiper blades. Wipers are one of the most important safety items on our cars. Think not, you must have never driven in bad weather. When you are ready to replace your wiper blades, a very easy DIY, check out RainEater wipers atRainEater.com. Plus I LOVE that their CEO is the one monitoring social media.

Join me today as we chat:

Issues adding up with the MK7 Golf, Golf Sportwagen, and GTI
MK7 GTI turbo failure video
MK7 wiring issues
A/C compressor failures
MK7 GTI recall
2015 Tiguan Recall
Selling cars with open recalls
NHTSA putting pressure on dealers
New techs at the shop
BUSY BUSY BUSY!
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “The State Of The Shop 5 ~ Podcast Episode 77” 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. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form! Don’t forget to follow me at:

June 24, 2015/1 Comment/by Charles

Video

How VW Turbochargers Fail ~ Video

Golf R Turbo Upgrade

Hey everyone. We are back talking about more failed Volkswagen parts. Today we look at how VW turbochargers fail. I have been trying to get my hands on a bad turbo for a long time. This one is extra cool because it is a bad turbo from a MK7 GTI!

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 fellas at DAP are awesome. Also check out their new site at SHOPDAP.com

Join me today as we break down:

MK7 GTI Turbo
Miles of this VW turbo failure
What is a VW Turbocharger
How does a VW Turbocharger work
How do VW turbochargers fail
Symptoms of a Failing VW turbocharger
Diagnosing a failed VW turbocharger
Time to failure
Is this a DIY repair
VW Turbo Upgrades
and more

Trouble Viewing? Watch “How VW Turbochargers Fail ~ 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. Thanks again to Deutsche Auto Parts for being such a great sponsor.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

June 23, 2015/7 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

Viewer Questions Answered ~ Podcast Episode 76

Happy Monday everyone. For those of you that are dads, I hope that you had an amazing father’s day. I had the pleasure of hanging out with my daughter all day. That makes for an amazing time for sure. Today like every Monday I take your questions. To submit a question for a show like this, email me Charles(AT)HumbleMechanic(DOT)com and put “Question for Charles” in the subject. It makes filtering your emails much faster.

Join me today as we chat:

Impact on CV joints when modifying suspensions
DSG transmission service
Engine balancing
V6 Passat oil leaks
Passat PCV valves and hoses ShopDAP.com
2.0T TSI engine misfires
Lying service advisors
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Questions Answered ~ Podcast Episode 76” 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. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

June 22, 2015/2 Comments/by Charles

Video

Coast HP7R Flashlight Review ~ Video

Hey everyone. Today we are going to be looking at the Coast Products HP7R Rechargeable Flashlight. I am a huge fan of flashlights. There is at least 1 in every room of my house. I also carry one with me every where I go. In this review we will look at some of specs of the light. You will also see an “in the dark” demo of the the HP7R. All and all I think this is a great little flashlight.

Join me today as we check out and demo the Coast HP7R:

What is in the box (it’s a lot)
Lighting modes
Specs for HP7R on full bright mode
Specs for Hp7R on low bright mode
Demo in the garage
Lighting up the engine bay
What I love
2 things I would change
Get the HP7R
The other Coast Lights that I have reviewed
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Coast HP7R Review ~ Video” on YouTube.

Thanks to the folks at Coast for letting me test out this light. As always, post your comments below. If you have a tool or product 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.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

June 18, 2015/0 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

5 Things To Do When You Buy A New Car ~ Podcast Episode 75

On this episode on The Humble Mechanic Podcast, we are talking about new cars. These 5 things can apply to getting a new model, or a new to you car. With the purchase of our new Tiguan, I have new car on the brain. And other than tip 3 and 4, I have done all of these.

Sponsor of the day:
Rain Eater wiper blades. Wipers are one of the most important safety items on our cars. Think not, you must have never driven in bad weather. When you are ready to replace your wiper blades, a very easy DIY, check out RainEater wipers at RainEater.com. Plus I LOVE that their CEO is the one monitoring social media. You can also check out my RainEater Review.

Join me today as we chat:

A quick note about Humble Mechanic sponsorship

Update your car’s insurance
Learn your car’s tool kit and spare tire
READ YOUR OWNERS BOOK! (yes that is important) 🙂
Swap your car kit
Know the maintenance schedule
BONUS TIP!

QOTD ~ What is something YOU do when getting a new car?

Trouble viewing? Watch “5 Things To Do When You Buy A New Car ~ Podcast Episode 75” on YouTube

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Also if you have an idea for a show you can email me, or use the contact me form!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

June 17, 2015/3 Comments/by Charles