Automotive questions

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 DayCRP AUTO
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:

VW Water pump recall

VW Water pump recall

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:

Autel MV400 ReviewIt 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:Autel MV400 Review

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 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 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:

diverter valve failure

diverter valve failure

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.diverter valve failure

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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 DayCRP AUTO
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:

volkswagen coolant

Volkswagen Coolant 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!

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