Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 107

Happy Monday everyone. Like all Monday shows, I will be taking your automotive questions. Remember if there are topics you want me to talk about on the show, sending in a question is the best way to get it. To get your question on a show like this, email me Charles(AT)HumbleMechanic(DOT)com, and put “Question for Charles” in the subject.

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. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com

Join me as I take your questions on:

  • I will be at SEMA and AAPEX
  • The clock spring and PODS recalls
  • Rattle from rear suspension 2011 Polo
  • Cause of a clunking from front suspension
  • MK4 VR6 thermostat housing for 24v
  • Eurowise Theromostat housing review
  • Can you rebuild a MK4 steering rack?
  • Working on other brands at the dealership
  • Eurovan exhaust replacement
  • Dealing with rusted manifold bolts
  • The Mini-Ductor
  • My biggest failure as a technician
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 107” 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!

PB Blaster

The oil I mentioned in the show

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Air Tools VS Electric Tools ~ Podcast Episode 106

As many of you know, I LOVE tools. Thankfully I have a job that allows me to buy the tools I need, and the tools I want. Today we are going to look at whether air tools are better than electric tools. We are specifically talking about battery powered tools on today’s show. Of course when it all boils down to it, it’s up to you. Each of the tools has a place where they win the tool wars!

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. Be sure to check out their new auto renewal wiperblade program too!

Join me today as we fight tools to the death on:

Trouble viewing? Watch “Air Tools VS Electric Tools ~ Podcast Episode 106” 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:Battery powered tools

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Top 5 Failures 1999-2005 MK4 Golf, Beetle and Jetta

Today we are back talking about more failed VW parts. We are going to look at the top 5 most common failures of MK4 Golf, Beetle and Jetta. I grouped the Golf, Beetle and Jetta together because they are on the same platform. Think of them as the same car, with a different body attached. That means they all share very common failures. Also remember two things, these are not the only failures for that generation VW, and talking about these failures does not make them bad cars. When you have 7 years of a car, there are bound to be some things that go wrong.

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. When you are shopping for VW Parts Online be sure to check them out.

Join me today as we break down the MK4

  • The MK4 is 1998(ish)-2005(ish) Golf, Beetle, Jetta
  • MK4 window regulator failures
  • MK4 Brake light switch failures and recall
  • MK4 Catalytic Converter failures, and warranty extension
  • MK4 Coolant temperature sensor failures
  • MK4 Suspension bushing failures
  • A quick list of more MK4 failures
  • How VW Coolant Temp Sensors Fail
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Top 5 Failures 1999-2005 Golf, Beetle and Jetta” 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:

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BFI Oktoberfest 2015

Viewer Automotive Questions and BFI Recap ~ Podcast Episode 105

Happy Monday everyone. I have a very great show on deck for you guys. Not only will I be taking your automotive questions, but I have a recap of the Black Forest Industries Oktoberfest. I want to say that it was great meeting all of you at the show. You will see why I didn’t do an entire video on the show. Remember that if you want to get your question answered on a show like this, email me “Charles(AT)Humblemechanic(DOT)com and put Question For Charles in the subject. You guys sent in some awesome automotive questions, and be sure to keep them coming.

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. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com

Join me as I take your questions on:

  • BFI Oktoberfest recap with video
  • My thoughts on modding a VW with Stage 1 tune
  • Adjusting rear camber MKV GTI
  • What causes camber wear
  • Building a MK3 AWD Jetta
  • What is the difference between DEF or Adblue?
  • Buying a used VW CC, and common CC issues
  • What work shoes I wear, and recommend
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions and BFI Recap ~ Podcast Episode 105” 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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How To Chip a MK3 VR6 ~ DIY Video

MK3 GTI DIYToday I will teach you how to chip your MK3 Volkswagen. This process involves removing and installing the ECM of the car, as well as replacing the “chip”. This is also known as tuning the vehicle. We are going to be performing this VW DIY on my MK3 GTI with the VR6 engine. Not only does this ECM tune provide about 10HP increase, it deletes several emissions components.

Show Resources:

Join me today as we learn:

  • Tools needed for chipping a MK3
  • Removing a MK3 ECM
  • Disassembling a MK3 ECM
  • Removing and installing the ECM chip
  • Installing the MK3 ECM
  • Checking and clearing faults with VCDS
  • The things I messed up in this DIY
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How To Chip a MK3 VR6 ~ DIY Video” 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:

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What It May Take To Fix The DieselGate TDIs ~ Podcast Episode 104

We have talked about the VW scandal a lot lately. It has basically consumed all of my time at work, and on the podcast. But as more information comes out, we can start to look at what the fix for these TDIs will be. Today we are going to look at the 2 repairs that will most likely happen on the 3 generations of TDIs. We have talked about what happened on VW Diesel Scandal AKA DIESELGATE ~ Episode 97 

Join me today as we breakdown:

  • Most of this information is based on the hearing with
    Mr Horn CEO of VWofA
  • Cars with Adblue injection will get software only
  • Cars currently with no Adblue system will get hardware and software
  • What parts are needed to add a diesel exhaust fluid treatment
  • Where these systems may be installed
  • How long the repair may take
  • The lack of time frame
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “What It May Take To Fix The DieselGate TDIs ~ Podcast Episode 104” 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:

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Top 5 Failures of 2006-2011 VW Passats

Today we are doing a little bit of a modified “How VW Parts Fail” video. We are going to be looking at the top 5 failures on B6 Passats. Now these are not the only failures of the 2006-2011 Passats. There are plenty of other things that fail. So if I didn’t mention something in the video, that does not mean it was not an issue. Please let me know what you guys think of this style of video. A ton of you asked me for something like this. I want to do videos on more models if you guys are into it.

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 check out 5 of the most common Passat issues

Trouble viewing? Watch “Top 5 Failures of 2006-2011 VW Passats” 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:How VW Head gaskets fail

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