August 2015 – Page 2 – Humble Mechanic

Viewer Automotive Questions Answered ~ Podcast Episode 89

Today on the Humble Mechanic Podcast, I take your automotive questions. If you would like to get a question on a show like this, follow this format. Email me, Charles(AT)Humblemechanic(dot)com and put “question for Charles” in the subject. This is the best way to get your car question answered. If there are topics you want me to talk about on the show, this is a great way to get it done.

Sponsor of the Day
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.You will also be seeing avideocoming out soon with some awesome information about coolant. Check out CRPAutomotive.com

Join me today as I answer your questions on:

Most reliable year of VW TDI
Buying brake pads and rotors
Fuel issues on a 2013 GTI
Working in Service Express
Doing side work
Aftermarket HID lights
Mk4 VR6 cooling issues.
Eurowise coolant flange
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions Answered ~ Podcast Episode 89” 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:

August 17, 2015/0 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

Water Pump Recall MK6 GTI ~ Podcast Episode 88

Today we are looking at the Volkswagen GTI Recall for leaking water pumps. This recall applies to 2011-2014 VW 2.0t GTIs. At this time there is no recall on other 2.0t VW models.

VW has issued a service action aka recall on the MK6 GTI. The issue they are having is the water pump can develop a leak. We are inspecting the water pump to see if it is the most current part number. If it is not, we are replacing the pump.

Join me today as we discuss:

The 19k5 Recall
How this water pump fails
What action the tech takes on the GTI Recall
The other VWs this recall applies to
What to do if you have paid for a replacement water pump
Most current GTI water pump 06J-121-026-BG
Other parts replaced on the GTI water pump recall
DONT BE A HACK
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Water Pump Recall MK6 GTI ~ Podcast Episode 88” on Youtube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. 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:

August 14, 2015/2 Comments/by Charles

Humble Mechanic

Autel MV400 Video Scope Review and Demo~ Video

It is Thursday, so that means it is tool review time. I will be reviewing the Autel MV400 Digital Inspection Videoscope, or as I call it, borescope. I have been looking for a good alternative to buying a really expensive borescope from the tool truck guys. I purchased this borescope for 3 main reasons:

Inspecting engine internals
Inspecting behind dashes and in air ducting
Looking for carbon buildup on direct injection engines

There are a bunch of other uses for a camera like this. It is also nice because this borescope, videoscope, will record video and pictures on to a micro SD card. I used that feature to record the video you see in the demo. There are some things that I really like about this camera, and some things that make it just an okay borescope. I will say for the price $145.70 on Amazon, it is a good deal.

Join me today as we scope out this borescope:

Why I bought a borescope videoscope
What is in the box
Features
4 LED lights
Good things about this borescope videoscope
Where this borescope videoscope is not good
Borescope/videoscope demo
Final thoughts
Buy the Autel MV400
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Autel MV400 Video Scope Review and Demo~ 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.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

August 13, 2015/1 Comment/by Charles

Podcast

How Modifying Your Car Affects Your Warranty ~ Podcast Episode 87

Today on the podcast we are talking about what impact modifying your car can have on your vehicle’s warranty. This is one of the questions that I get more than just about anything. While doing some modifications on your car may not have any affect on your warranty, others may void it all together. Also you have me in the Passat today, with multiple camera angles.

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.

Join me today as we discuss:

DISCLAIMER
When modifying only affects the system modified
When modifying has no impact on warranty.
When modifying has an impact on warranty
How a car gets marked TD1
Why dealer techs may not want to work on a modified car
Remember that you have to pay to play.
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How Modifying Your Car Affects Your Warranty ~ Podcast Episode 87” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. 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:

August 12, 2015/1 Comment/by Charles

Video

How The 2.0T Diverter Valve Fails ~ Video

This is the 30th video in our “How VW Parts Fail” series. This is also a failing part that I get asked about all the time. We are looking at the failure of Volkswagen Diverter Valves. This part may also be called “Turbo Recirculation Valve”, “Turbo Cut-Off Valve” or even “Blow Off Valve”. We will also talk about how “Blow Off Valve” is not exactly wrong, but it’s not right either.

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:

Why a Diverter Valve is not a Blow Off Valve
What is a Diverter Valve
Where is the Diverter Valve located
How the Diverter Valve works
How the Diverter Valve Fails
Symptoms of a failing Diverter Valve
Diagnosing a bad Diverter Valve
Can you DIY the Diverter Valve
Tips for replacing the Diverter Valve
The “Rev D” Diverter Valve
How to replace the Diverter Valve
Thanks To Apex Tuning for hooking me up with the parts
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How The 2.0T Diverter Valve 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. Thanks again to Deutsche Auto Parts for being such a great sponsor.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

August 11, 2015/3 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

Viewer Automotive Questions Answered ~ Podcast Episode 86

Happy Monday everyone. Today I am answering your automotive questions. I will also tell you that a few parts of this video have odd audio. It sounds like some electrical interference. It may be because I had 2 VWs in the garage today. 🙂 It is pretty subtle, but I wanted to give you a heads up. If you would like your automotive question answered on a show like this, email me, Charles(at) HumbleMechanic(DOT)com and put Question for Charles in the subject. Also put your question at the top, then give me the information below. It will help me do a better job answering the question.

Sponsor of the Day
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.You will also be seeing a videocoming out soon with some awesome information about coolant. Check out CRPAutomotive.com

Join me today as we discuss:

Moving up to a tech from the Service Express department
What makes a Volkswagen a Volkswagen
Using locating pins T10096 for replacing control arms
Achieving curb weight position to torque bolts
Issues with the MK7 Ea888 engine
Diagnosing light bulbs out
Video all about coolant
How to check a VW fuse
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions Answered ~ Podcast Episode 86” 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:

August 10, 2015/2 Comments/by Charles

Podcast

What Is Engine Coolant ~ Podcast Episode 85

On this episode we are talking engine coolant. Coolant in your car’s engine is extremely important. Failure of the coolant or parts of the cooling system can result in catastrophic engine failure. Today I am joined by Mark Malone from CRP Automotive. We are going to give you the truth about engine coolant, or if you prefer, antifreeze.

Resources for today’s show:

Join us today as we discuss:

CRP Automotive
CRP and Volkswagen’s history
What is engine coolant?
Is it “coolant” or “antifreeze”?
What is the proper coolant mixture?
What is the proper water to mix coolant with?
What happens when coolant is mixed wrong
What happens when coolant fails?
History of VW coolant
Life expectancy of coolant
and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “What Is Engine Coolant ~ Podcast Episode 85” on YouTube.

Thank you to Mark for joining me in studio today. If you have any coolant questions post them in the comments below. 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:

August 7, 2015/5 Comments/by Charles