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.

failed VW belts

How VW Serpentine Belt Tensioners Fail ~ Video

Next up in our Failed VW Parts series we are looking at the serpentine belt tensioner. We are not looking at the failure of one specific serpentine belt tensioner. This applies to all belt tensioners, even on non-VW cars. This type of failure can be anything from somewhat annoying to leaving you stranded, and even cause catastrophic engine damage.

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 Also be sure to stop by their booth at SOWO!Failed VW serpentine belt tensioner

Join me as we dive into and chat about:

  • Do these videos mean VW is not a good car?
  • What is a VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner?
  • What is a Serpentine Belt?
  • How do VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner work
  • How do VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner fail?
  • Symptoms of VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner failure
  • Diagnosing a failed VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner
  • Is the VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner a DIY?
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How VW Serpentine Belt Tensioners Fail ~ 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.Failed VW serpentine belt tensioner

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5 Odd Things Mechanics Use To Fix Cars ~ Video

mechanics paint

Thursday is normally the day that I review tools and products. Well today I wanted to step out of that a little. I wanted to chat a little about the weird things that mechanics use when working on cars. This is kind of a play on my “Top 5 Favorite Auto Mechanic’s Tools” video. Something a little more lighthearted after yesterday’s video on flat rate. Mechanics also spend a small fortune on tools. It is nice to have a few things we don’t need to turn to the Snap On truck for.

Join me today as we look at odd uses for

Trouble viewing? Watch “5 Odd Things Mechanics Use To Fix Cars ~ Video” on YouTube.

As always, post your comments below. 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.mechanics paint

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TSI timing chain tensioner

How The 2.0T TSI Timing Chain Tensioner Fails ~ Video

Today we are looking at how the timing chain tensioner failed on the 2.0t TSI engine. The most common engine code is CCTA. This 2.0t was used in almost all VW models from 2008 and up. While my shop has not seen a super high failure rate, we have seen a good amount. Unlike many parts, the failure of this chain tensioner can cause catastrophic engine damage. Also a shout out to Apex Tuning. They saved a few of the tensioners for me, so I can do this video for you.

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 The article Deutsche Auto Parts wrote about failing timing chain tensioners.

Join me today as we break down:2.0T timing chain tensioner failure

  • How many times the 2.0t TSI Timing chain tensioner has been updated
  • What is a timing chain tensioner
  • How does the timing chain tensioner work
  • How does the 2.0t TSI timing chain fail
  • Symptoms of timing chain failure
  • How to diagnose a timing chain failure
  • Average time to failure
  • Can you DIY the timing chain tensioner
  • SPECIAL TOOL REQUIRED! (yes it is that important
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How The 2.0T TSI Timing Chain Tensioner 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.

Don’t forget to follow me at:2.0T timing chain tensioner failure

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Aluminium VR6 housing

Eurowise VR6 Thermostat Housing Review ~ Video

Today we are going to be checking out the Eurowise aluminium thermostat housing for AAA VR6. Eurowise has become the go to place for VR6 goodies. And specifically VR6 swaps into MK1 cars. I used their kit on my Cabby. I also did a review of their “MK1 VR6 Engine Swap Kit” I was really excited to check out this thermostat housing. It does a great job of fixing a common VW coolant leak issue.

About Eurowise
They are located in Charlotte, NC and specialize in maintenance, repair, and modifying all European cars. I had the pleasure to meet a lot of the guys down there. I can tell you they are awesome! Check them out:

Join me today as we break down:

  • About the Eurowise Aluminium Thermostat housing
  • What is in the box
  • Add on goodies
  • Finishing options from Eurowise
  • Likes
  • Dislikes
  • AAA VR6 Thermostat housing.
  • Learn more about the VR6 Engine.

Trouble Viewing? Watch “Eurowise VR6 Thermostat Housing Review ~ Video” on YouTube.

 

As always, post your comments below. 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. Thanks to Mike and all the boys from Eurowise for being such a great part of the community.Aluminium VR6 thermostat housing

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Failing Dual Mass Flywheel

How VW Dual Mass Flywheels Fail ~ Video

The VW dual mass flywheel or DMF for short, was one of the first “How VW Parts Fail” videos that was suggested. I also happened to have a clip of what a failed DMF sounds like. DMFs are in several different VW models, including cars with a DSG transmission. While this is not an uncommon issue, I don’t see the failure rate that the internet makes it out to be. But since it is a VW Failed VW DMFpart that does fail, I wanted to do a video about 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 we break down:

  • What is a VW Dual Mass Flywheel?
  • How a VW Dual Mass Flywheel
  • Symptoms of VW Dual Mass Flywheel failure
  • Diagnosing a bad VW Dual Mass Flywheel
  • Sound clip of a bad VW Dual Mass Flywheel
  • Is a VW Dual Mass Flywheel DIY repair
  • Single Mass Flywheel option
  • and more

Trouble Viewing? Watch “How VW Dual Mass Flywheels Fail ~ 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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VW jetta beetle recall

The Jetta and Beetle Axle Recall ~ Video

IMG_9916A ton of you guys have asked me about this recall on the Jetta and Beetles. This new recall is related to the rear axle, specifically the trailing arms. So today I am going to break down exactly what this VW recall does. I will just let you know up front that it is NOTHING to panic about. Your VW will not explode or anything like that. It is actually to help prevent an issue if your VW is in a collision.

Join me today as we recall:

  • effected VWs on this recall
  • Rear trailing arms
  • What this VW recall does
  • Why you need to get this VW recall done
  • How long the recall takes
  • A rare on camera Charles rant
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “The Jetta and Beetle Axle Recall ~ Video” on YouTube.

As always, your questions and comments are welcome. Please post them below. If you would like to suggest a topic for  a show like this, email me Charles(at)HumbleMechanic(dot)com, or use the contact me form.VW jetta beetle recall

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failed vw wheel bearings

How VW Wheel Bearings Fail ~ Video

No you are not dreaming, it is Wednesday. Normally we do failed parts videos on Tuesday. But I have been a little behind this week. Today we are looking at the failure of VW wheel bearings. The bearing show are from the newer generation VW cars, about 2005.5 and up. While the older VW cars have different wheel bearings, they fail in basically the same way.Failed VW Wheel Bearings

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 check out:

  • What is a VW wheel bearing
  • How does a VW wheel bearing work
  • How do VW wheel bearings fail
  • Symptoms of VW wheel bearing failure
  • Noises failed VW wheel bearings make
  • Tips for daignosing a bad wheel bearing
  • Time to failure
  • Is a wheel bearing a DIY?
  • Some tools needed
  • A Torque Wrench (I use a Snap On digital)
  • Triple Square set
  • 24mm 12pt or 27mm 6pt sockets
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How VW Wheel Bearings Fail ~ 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:Failed VW Wheel Bearings

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