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.

Coast HP3R Rechargeable Pen Light ~ Review

Coast Hp3rToday we are checking out the Coast HP3R Rechargeable Focusing Pen Light. As many of you know I am a flashlight snob. Having a good quality light is a vital part of being a mechanic. In addition to that, I carry a flashlight everywhere I go. I asked the folks at Coast if they had a great quality rechargeable pen light, and the HP3R is the light they recommended.

I have been using the HP3R as my daily light for about 3 months. I feel like I really put the light through hell for this review. The big question is, will it replace my Streetlight Stylus Pro as a daily light?

Join me today as we breakdown the HP3R:

  • What is included with the HP3R
  • Specs of the Hp3r ~ More about the Hp3R from Coast.
  • Lighting test and demo
  • Pros of the Hp3R
  • Cons of the Hp3r
  • Why the light in the video looks brand new
  • Buy the HP3r on Amazon.
  • Non-Rechargeable HP3 LED (only about $23)
  • It may be cheaper, but buyer beware
  • Final thoughts
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “Coast HP3R Rechargeable Pen Light ~ Review” on YouTube.

More on the Coast HP3R
The Coast HP3R comes with all the cables you will need including, a USB cable, a wall charger, and a 12v outlet charger for your car. This is a well designed, and well built light. The HP3R is incredibly bright, has a focusable beam, and is rechargeable.

ProsCoast HP3R

  • insane bright for the size
  • 2 brightness settings
  • easy press button
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Run on lithium or AAA batteries

Cons

  • Pocket clip sits high on light
  • Can not charge battery pack out of light.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. If there is a tool you would like to see reviewed, or 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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DashCam Review ~ VanTrue Ondash R2

Dash Cam ReviewIn many parts of the world, dash cams are a must. Here in the US, scam artists are not as common, but dash cams still have a great value. Today we are going to be looking at and reviewing the VanTrue Ondash R2 Car Dash Cam. Using a dash camera to catch scam artists is only one use. We also use them for car shows, auto and rally cross races, or even scenic drives. I will be adding this camera as part of the Podcast videos I shoot in the car.

Join me as we break down the OnDash R2:

  • What is in the box
  • Camera features
    ~Different recording modes
    ~2.7in LCD screen
    ~170* wide view
    ~Support up to 64g micro SD
    ~Park mode setting
    ~Built in mic
    ~Option to add GPS
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Video quality test (day and night)
  • Audio quality
  • More Amazon reviews
  • Buy the OnDash R2
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “DashCam Review ~ VanTrue Ondash R2” on YouTube.

More on the OnDash R2 Dash Cam
The OnDash R2 comes with all the cables you will need including a 12v cable, a USB cable, and a HDMI cable. You also have a bunch of different video settings to choose from including recording in 2k video. For the review I used the full HD setting. The on board mic is pretty good. I would not record a podcast with it, but for most folks it will be prefect.

Pros

  • Small in size
  • Lot of recording options
  • Built in mic
  • 18m warranty

Cons

  • Needs an SD card
  • Menu navigation and buttons are a little tricky. (slight learning curve)
  • Mount is a proprietary mount,  I could not find a place to buy separately.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. If there is a tool you would like to see reviewed, or 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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3m intake cleaner test

Does 3m Intake System Cleaner Really Work?

Today I will be testing 3m Intake System Cleaner. This cleaner is meant to clean the intake manifold, valves, and combustion chamber of 4 stroke engines. We will be cleaning the intake system of my 1998 Volkswagen GTI VR6. The maintenance history of this car is largely unknown. There are many products that claim to clean the intake system of cars. This will be the first test in the series.

About the 3m Intake System Cleaner

This is part of a larger 3m “Fuel System Tune Up Kit“. That kit includes the intake system cleaner, a throttle plate cleaner, and a treatment to add the the fuel tank. The intake cleaner goes in just before the throttle body and sprays the chemical past the throttle and into the intake. If it works right, it should clean much of the intake manifold.

Join me today as we test

  • BE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INFORMATION!
  • Setting your car up
  • Follow the instructions on the car
  • Ease of use
  • Setting up the car
  • Before pictures
  • Running the treatment
  • After pictures
  • Did it work?
  • Does the amount of tailpipe smoke mean anything?
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Does 3m Intake System Cleaner Really Work?” 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! 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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VR6 Coolant Pipe and Thermostat Housing DIY

VR6 Coolant Pipe and Thermostat Housing DIY

IMG_4010This is a DIY on replacing the VW VR6 coolant pipe, aka Crack Pipe, and thermostat housing. on the AAA VR6 engine. We learn how to replace the pipe and a few things to be careful of. This is another video in the MK3 DIY series. You can check out the Mk3 GTI walk around video I did. This is also a DIY that I struggled with. It was one of those jobs that very little goes right. I will probably do a video showing all of that.

Important information before starting this repair:

  • Tools needed for this coolant pipe DIY
  • Eurowise Thermostat Housing
  • Eurowise thermostat housing review
  • Some struggles I had doing this repair
  • Removing the front end is not always necessary, but can make it easier
  • Check out more DIY videos here
  • Here are all the MK3 GTI videos
  • and more

Trouble veiwing? Watch “VR6 Coolant Pipe and Thermostat Housing DIY” 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:VR6 Coolant Pipe and Thermostat Housing DIY

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How VW Head gaskets fail

How VW Parts Fail ~ 2.5L Head Gaskets

How VW Head gaskets failOn this episode of “How VW Parts Fail” we are looking at the failure of the 2.5L cylinder head gasket. The head gasket can be thought of as one of the most important gaskets in an engine. Today we talk about what a head gasket is, what it does, and how it fails.

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 VW head gasket?
  • What does a VW head gasket seal?
  • Where is the head gasket located?
  • How does the head gasket fail
  • Symptoms of a failing head gasket
  • Diagnosing a failing head gasket
  • Is replacing a head gasket a DIY?
  • Good news about failing head gaskets
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How VW Parts Fail ~ 2.5L Head Gaskets” 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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DSG Problems

How VW Parts Fail ~ 7 speed DSG Mechatronic Unit

VW DSG ProblemsToday on “How VW parts fail”, we are looking at the mechantronics unit from the 7 speed DSG transmission. This transmission is only found in the Jetta Hybrid in the US market. In the rest of world market, it is found in other drivetrain combinations as well. This is not the most common of VW issues, but it is pretty cool how it works. This is also a little different video because I have never taken one apart. It is great because we can all learn something on this video.

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 as we break down(hopefully not):

  • What a mechatronics unit in the DSG is
  • How a mechatronics unit in the DSG works
  • How the mechatronics unit changes gears
  • The serviceability of the mechatronics unit.
  • Is this a DIY part?
  • The DSG Transmission explained 
  • Symptoms of mechatronics unit failure
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How VW Parts Fail ~ 7 speed DSG Mechatronic Unit” 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.VW DSG Problems

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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