Welcome to the Humble Mechanic Video Podcast. This is the show were we talk about many areas of the automotive industry. Everything from being an auto tech, buying tools, earning money, talking to customers, and more. If you are not a mechanic, tune in to learn the ins and outs of the industry. It can help you find a good tech, and help avoid getting ripped off.

Top 5 Failures of the Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen water damageThe VW Touareg and I have spent many many hours together. Some of that time was great, other times were a real struggle. I really learned how to be a technician because of the Touareg and all the problems that it had. There are many reasons that the VW Touareg was such a nightmare for customers  and techs. That being said, if the Touareg never happened, I would not be nearly as good of a mechanic as I am today.

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 discuss:

  • Common VW Touareg failures
  • Touareg Tire Pressure Monitor issues
  • Touareg Tire wear issues
  • VW Touareg Electrical issues
  • VW Touareg driveshaft fails
  • Touareg interface issues
  • Touareg Ad-Blue issues
  • Rapid fire problems
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Top 5 Failures of the Volkswagen Touareg” 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!

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How VW Parts Fail ~ 2.0t BPY Thermostat

thermo2Hey everyone, today we are back to talk about more failing VW parts. The failing VW part was are looking at today is the thermostat on 2.0t FSI engine. This is the engine code BPY found in 2006-2008 Volkswagens. This is a failure that can cause a number of issues from overheating to a check engine light with a code p2181. While we are looking at the thermostat on a 2.0t FSI, this issue and fault are common on many other VW engines.

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 breakdown:

  • What is a thermostat?
  • How the 2.0t FSI thermostat works
  • How the 2.0t FSI thermostat regulates coolant
  • How the 2.0t FSI thermostat fails
    Stuck open VS Stuck closed
  • Symptoms of a failing FSI thermostat
  • Diagnosing a Failing Thermostat
  • Diagnosing a check engine light p2181
  • Is replacing a VW thermostat a DIY
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “How VW Parts Fail ~ 2.0t BPY Thermostat” 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.

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Making And Modifying Custom Tools

At some point every mechanic, will need a custom tool. Whether you are a master technician or an automotive DIYer the perfect tool does not always exist. So we have to either make a tool, or modify an existing tool to fix our car repair needs. Maybe the tool we need is just too expensive. Maybe it doesn’t exist, or maybe you have to be a dealership to get the tool. Whatever the reason, having to make or modify tools is extremely common.

Ever wonder what type of tools I own? Check out:Custom mechanic tools

Join me today as we discus:

  • Why anyone may need a modified tool
  • Custom Power Probe tip
  • Socket modification
  • Custom VW AirBag tool
  • Custom VW wiring repair tools
  • Locking extension modifications
  • Making custom jumper wires
  • Buy bulk alligator clips. 
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Making And Modifying Custom Tools” 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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Failing VW camshafts

How VW Parts Fail ~ 1.9 and 2.0 TDI CamShafts

Failing VW camshafts

You guys wanted more TDI content, you got it! Today we are back talking about more failing VW parts. This time we are looking at the camshaft failures on the 1.9 and 2.0 Pumpe Duse engines. This engine was in the Mk4 platform and the B5.5 platform. Failures were much more common on the 1.9l, but that may be pure numbers game.

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 breakdown:

  • What is a Camshaft
  • How does a camshaft work
  • What is “lift and duration”?
  • How TDI camshafts fail
  • Symptoms of a failing VW camshaft
  • How to diagnose a failing VW camshaft
  • Is this a DIY repair?
  • Shout out to Apex-Tuning
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “How VW Parts Fail ~ 1.9 and 2.0 TDI CamShafts” 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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What Is Vehicle Bulb Monitoring ~ Video

Today I am joined by Paul from ShopDAP.com. We are talking about bulb monitoring. This is not a new technology for cars. Even back in 2004 the VW Touareg had a system that would alert the driver when a bulb was out. But this feature is not reserved for high end cars today. I would not be surprised if at some point, it was a law for all cars to have this system. I also wrote a blog post years ago about how automotive lights are lit now vs in the 70’s. Remember when I wrote a lot of blog posts?

Sponsor Of The DayResealed VW headlight
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 Paul and I as we discuss:

  • Paul teaches how to say Deutsche 😉
  • Warning light for a bulb out
  • The Evolution of Lighting Light Bulbs
  • What it took to light a light bulb
  • What it takes NOW to light a light bulb
  • Power flow of classic bulb circuit
  • Power flow of a monitored bulb
  • LED lights in a bulb monitoring circuit
  • LED with resistors
  • Bulb self test
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “What Is Vehicle Bulb Monitoring ~ 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:

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Volkswagen Check Engine Light Diagnosis

Check Engine Light OBD IIAt some point in most VW owners life they will get a check engine light. For about the 4th time in my Passat’s life, the check
engine light came on. I would say that is pretty good for over 140,000 miles. The check engine light can come on for a ton of different reasons. Today I am going to walk you through my diagnostic process for check engine lights. At the start of the video, I did not know what was wrong with the Passat. You get to see exactly the point we find the issues.

Join me today as we discuss:

  • Steps of check engine light diagnosis
  • VCDS Vag-Com
  • Sonic Tools 
  • Vehicle safety evaluation
  • Checking faults with VCDS
  • Faults Stored
    P0507
    P1111
    P1136
    P0171
  • What does “System lean”mean?
  • What does “System Rich” mean?
  • Using MVB 32 with VCDS
  • Visual inspection
  • Pocking around vacuum lines
  • Clamping vacuum lines
  • Why my MIL is on
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Volkswagen Check Engine Light Diagnosis” on YouTube.com

As always, your questions and comments are welcome. If you have an idea for a show topic, please use the contact me form, or email me Charles(at)humble mechanic(dot)com

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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How to Check 2.0T TSI Timing Chain Tensioner

2.0T timing chain tensioner failure

Do you know how to Check 2.0T TSI Timing Chain Tensioner. If you drive an 2.0t TSI Audi or VW you may have timing chain tensioner issues. Checking the timing chain tensioner is an EASY DIY! Today I will show you how to check for the older timing chain tensioner that will need to be replaced. Also a shout out to Apex Tuning for helping me out with this DIY!

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 learn how to check your timing chain tensioner:

  • Shout out to Apex Tuning
  • Tools needed
  • DIY timing chain tensioner inspection on the bench
  • How to hold the inspection mirror to check timing chain tensioner
  • What tensioners are bad
  • How TSI timing chain tensioners fail
  • Replace the inspection plug
  • TSI Timing Chain Repair kit
  • Audi TSI inspection
  • How to check TSI timing chain on the car
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How to Check 2.0T TSI Timing Chain Tensioner” 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:2.0T timing chain tensioner failure

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