Westling Machine Aluminum Socket Tray Review ~ Video

aluminum socket trayToday I will be reviewing the 1/4″ drive socket tray from WestlingMachine.com . I have been looking for a good quality socket holder for years. Sadly most of the socket holders are plastic and do not seem to hold up well. At least with the abuse that I put them though. I use my 1/4″ drive sockets all the time. That means having a good quality way to store them is vital.

Join me today as we dive into:

Trouble viewing? Watch “Westling Machine Socket Tray Review ~ Video” on YouTube.

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.aluminum socket tray

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The State Of The Shop 6 ~ Podcast Episode 82

Hey everybody. Today we are talking about the state of the shop. For those of you that may be new, state of the shop shows give you an update of what is happening right now in the VW service world. We talk about things like recalls, updates, common repairs, and repair trends. Think of it as a monthly VW recap.

Sponsor of the day:rain eater logo
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 discuss:


Trouble viewing? Watch “The State Of The Shop 6 ~ Podcast Episode 82” 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:

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Failing VW parts

How VW A/C Compressors Fail ~ Video

vw POOR AIR CONDITIONINGToday we are back with more failed VW parts. We are right in the middle of a pretty hot summer. With a hot summer comes failing Air Conditioning. One of the most common things we are seeing fail is A/C compressors. We are doing several a week. The most common seem to be on 2.0t TDI (engine code CJAA) and 2.5 engines. It is not the only thing that I see cause poor air conditioning, but it is common.

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 an A/C compressor?
  • The 2 main styles of compressor
  • Ways that a/c compressors fail
  • Symptoms of a failing A/C compressor
  • Diagnosing a bad A/C compressor
  • Is replacing a bad A/C compressor a DIY
  • Replace the compressor or repair it?
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “How VW A/C Compressors 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.vw POOR AIR CONDITIONING

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Touring The New Shop and Studio

Touring The New Shop and Studio ~ Video

I AM BACK!!Touring The New Shop and Studio

Happy Monday everyone. I am super pumped to be back. I hated putting the show on hold for so long. It was really the only way I could get all the work on the new studio done. I really am having a hard time explaining how much I love this new setup. It will give me the opportunity to do more videos that you guys have been asking me for. And with better quality. One thing I didn’t mention is the plans for the floor. At this time, I don’t know what I want the floor to look like. So for now, we are leaving the floor as is.

Sponsor of the Day.
CRP Automotive has been a very important part of this shop remodel. With their help we were able to do all this cool stuff. Now that the shop is ready, I can get deeper into DIY videos, parts reviews, and even make the failed parts videos better. CRP deals in the highest quality aftermarket parts. Check them out at CRPAutomotive.com

Join me as we tour:

  • Studio location
  • Spot open for your suggestions
  • Shout out to Jason from Engineering Explained
  • Cabinets from Lowes
  • The Cabby, aka Project “Luv A Dub”
  • The signs hanging in the shop
  • Future upgrades coming
  • Wheel all the things
  • EricTheCarGuy Meetup
  • Beer of the day
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Touring The New Shop and Studio ~ Video” on YouTube.

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This is the old setup for the studio

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Touring The New Shop and Studio

Shop and Studio Remodel and Podcast Vacation

Hi everybody!

As you all probably know by now I am in the middle of a shop/studio remodel. This is something that I have wanted to do from the minute that we moved here. I am super excited to finally get going. There is a down side to this. I have to take a podcast vacation until work is complete. I was very conflicted on doing this. I hate to leave you guys with out a show for one day, but for what will be about two weeks STINKS! I made this choice to I can focus on getting the shop and studio done right the first time. FRFT (finished right first time) is very important 😉

I will be updating things as usual on the Humble Mechanic Facebook, as well as Twitter, and Instagram. So if you are not the social media type, now may be a good time join. If you find yourself needing a fix, grab a random video and check it out. You can also search a key work in the search box and go from there. I will also be checking my email as usual so keep the show topics, and questions coming. I may have to do a few Q&A shows to catch up, but that is AWESOME!

I hope that you are all having an awesome summer, and I am ultra excited to get back to the show. I also think you guys are going to love the new studio, and shop. And a huge shout out to CRP Automotive for helping me make this happen.

Once everything is all finished, I will be sure and give you the shop tour you have been asking me about.

One last thing.

I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of this community. You guys are the reason that I can keep the show going. I appreciate each and everyone of you.

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VW Mechanic

Rally Car Technician For A Day ~ Podcast Episode 81

Volkswagen Rally BeetleI have been a Volkswagen master tech for several years now. Reaching that level of certification was a goal of mine from the start of my career. I was extremely excited when I achieved that goal, but today it is just a normal part of life. In fact I don’t give it much thought anymore. Other than when someone tries to throw it back in my face. That is a topic for another time.

Well VW has finally got a program to give master techs a little perk. That is the chance to work with Volkswagen Motorsports and Andretti Autosports for a day. VW has been in the Global Rally Cross (GRC) for 2 seasons. With a team so new, they need help from time to time. When a race rolls in to town they invite local 2 local VW master techs to come out and work with the team for a day. What a cool idea. And thank you VW for doing something extra for your techs.

Join me today as in chat:

  • Red Bull GRC
  • A tough day for VW
  • What I really liked about GRC
  • This is NOT your street beetle
  • Not an easy job
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Rally Car Technician For A Day ~ Podcast Episode 81” on YouTube.

Don’t forget to follow me at:Volkswagen shark week beelte

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Carbon buildup direct injection

Preventing and Fixing Carbon Issues for Direct Injection Engines ~ Episode 80

Happy Friday everyone. Today I am back in the Passat with another automotive podcast. I get asked about carbon buildup on direct injection engines all the time. Generally they are asking about the newer VW engines the TSI. That would be engine codes CCTA and CBFA. These direct injection engines are developing issues with carbon on the back of the intake valves. This is not just a VW problem. This is an issue with most direct injection engines.

Sponsor of the day:rain eater logo
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 about:

  • Why these engines have carbon build up
  • Theories from BG products
  • PCV systems
  • Oil service lengths
  • How to prevent carbon buildup
  • The “Italian TuneUp”
  • How to fix carbon buildup
  • VW recommended fuel treatment
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Preventing and Fixing Carbon Issues for Direct Injection Engines ~ Episode 80” 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:Carbon buildup on valves