How I FAILED The VW Tech Challenge

img_7283Join me in the car today on episode 170 of the Humble Mechanic Podcast, we talk about how I totally failed the VW technician challenge. After placing top 12, I totally bombed the Volkswagen technician challenge at the VW RQC. I assumed my skills as a technician were good enough, today I explain why that was not the case. The RQC is a competition for Volkswagen dealership employees. After a series of tests the top 12 travel to Florida to compete. Here is what happened from my point of view.

Help Support The Show Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link ~ Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.

Join me today:

  • What the VW RQC is
  • What I had to do to get to the finals
  • Why I failed
  • Why that is okay
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “How I FAILED The VW Tech Challenge ” 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!

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How To Remove A VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner ~ Salvage Yard Tips

In this DIY and Drive video, I will show you how to remove a Volkswagen serpentine belt tensioner. This car is a 2.0 Jetta MK4. And while I am using this one for the demo, the strategy used can be applied to many other Volkswagen and even Audi cars.

Help Support The Show Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link ~ Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.

Join me today:

  • Tools you need to the serpentine belt tensioner
  • Removing the belt
  • The order I remove the bolts
  • Right method for removal
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “How To Remove A VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner ~ Salvage Yard Tips” on YouTube.

For more salvage yard DIYs, be sure to check out the Salvage Yard DIY’s playlist. 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!

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knipex pliers

These are the pliers I used in the video. They are awesome.

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Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 169

Today I am back in the shop studio, and I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best way to avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure.

Sponsor of the Day CRP AUTOCRP 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

Help Support The Show Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link ~ Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below. Join me as I take you questions on:

  • Join me as I take your questions on:
  • (0:22) ~ Back in the studio!
  • (1:58) ~ Replacing car parts vs repairing them under recall?
  • (6:20) ~ Losing the love for being a mechanic?
  • (6:50) ~ How Mechanics become hacks
  • (13:58) ~ Paying too much for a wheel balance
  • (18:09) ~ Best electric impact gun?
  • (21:00) ~ Passat ABS module failures
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 169” 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!

Best electric impact

This impact has 450 FT LB of peak torque

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How To Remove A VW Rear Door ~ Salvage Yard Tips

In this video I will teach you how to remove the rear door from a VW. This applies to a wide range of Volkswagens. And while some doors may be slightly different, you can use these techniques to successfully remove most doors. It is also important to always be safe. These doors are generally heavy. I highly recommend you have someone help you lift the door away from the body of the car.

Help Support The Show
Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link ~ Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.

Join me today:

  • Tools you need to remove the door
  • Disconnecting the 2 connectors
  • loosening the top bolt
  • removing the bottom bolt
  • Grab a friend for help!
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “How To Remove A VW Rear Door ~ Salvage Yard Tips” on YouTube.

For more salvage yard DIYs, be sure to check out the Salvage Yard DIY’s playlist. 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:

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Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 168

Today from the SEMA and AAPEX shows, I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best way to avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure.

Sponsor of the Day

CRP AUTOCRP 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

Help Support The Show
Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link ~ Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.

Join me as I take you questions on:

  • (0:54) ~ Audi/VW no start issues
  • (3:21) ~ What can cause a no start on a Passat?
  • (6:27) ~ Why do my LED headlights keep failing?
  • (9:13) ~ Issues with changing brands as a mechanic
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 168” 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:

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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How To Remove A VW Door Handle ~ Salvage Yard Tips

In this video I will teach you how to remove the outer door handle from a VW. This applies to a wide range of Volkswagens including, B5 and B5.5 Passats, MK5 Rabbit, Jetta and more. I have seen this door handle job go south for many professional VW techs. I spent a long time perfecting this method of removing the door handle. A job that is required for may door repairs on Volkswagens.

Help Support The Show
Many of you have asked about supporting the show. For that I thank you. For now, the best things you can do are SHARE THE SHOW, and shop with my links on Amazon. You will not spend any more money that you would normally. Here is the Amazon link ~ Humble Mechanic on Amazon or you can check out some recommended tools I have listed below.

Join me today as I show:

  • Tools you need to remove the handle
  • Holding the handle properly
  • The secret number of turns
  • Remove the lock cylinder
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “How To Remove A VW Door Handle ~ Salvage Yard Tips” on YouTube.

For more salvage yard DIYs, be sure to check out the Salvage Yard DIY’s playlist. 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:

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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