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.

mk5 jetta latch

How The MK5 VW Trunk Latch Fails

Deutsche Auto Parts

Sponsor of the Day is
DeutscheAutoParts.com

Happy Tuesday everyone. Like every Tuesday, today we are looking at failing VW parts. This is an issues that I see pretty regularly. Nothing like having your trunk not shut! I have also seen these fail in a way that will not let you open your trunk. Either way, it makes shopping a bit of a pain.

When we look at these parts we talk about:

This trunk latch does fit other Volkswagen cars. I replaced one on an EOS a week or so ago. Always be sure to have your V.I.N. ready when getting parts. There are a ton of VIN splits and parts oddities. This will help you get the right part the first time.

If you are having trouble viewing on the blog, check out “How The MK5 VW Trunk Latch Fails” on YouTube.

As always, your comments, questions and topic suggestions are always welcome. You can post them in the comments below, or use the contact me form. Don’t forget to check out Deutsche Auto Parts for you VW/Audi parts needs.

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Lava Soap Review

Lava Soap Review

Happy Thursday everyone! As you may know, Thursday is the day I do reviews. Today is not a tool review day. It is a review of something that is very important in the shop, SOAP! Clean up is a very important part of shop work, work around the house, and in the yard.

About Lava Soap
It is funny when you bring up Lava, so many people remember using it as a kid. In 1893, a bar soap formulated with volcanic pumice particles for extra scrubbing power was created in St. Louis, Missouri. Lava® was chosen as the name to remind consumers of the pumice it contains. In 1927, advertising helped build the Lava Brand as the brand that gets extra dirty hands really clean. In 1967, reformulation makes Lava more appealing with better scent and its signature green color. In 1995, the Lava Liquid hand pump was introduced. In 1999, Lava became part of the WD-40 Company.

Today we look at:

  • Initial thoughts
  • Light pumice
  • Subtle scent
  • Getting dirty with the Cabby
  • How it works on dried paint
  • Good rinse
  • Very soft hands

If you are having trouble watching on the blog, you can see Lava Soap Review on YouTube.

You can get Lava on Amazon Lava Bar Soap 5.75 Oz Green

As always, if you have any questions or comments, post them in the comment section below. Also, if you have a hand washing product that you love, post that up too. If you have a product or tool you would like me to review, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com or use the contact me form.

Don’t forget to follow me at:

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VR6 Engine

The VR6 Explained – with Engineering Explained

The VR6 EngineToday we have something totally different. A few weeks ago Jason from Engineering Explained, one of the best channels on YouTube, and I did a video collaboration. Well, he did all the hard work, and I just rambled about the VR6.

His fans had been asking him to do a video explaining about VW’s VR6 engine. It just so happened that I had a few VR6 parts around the shop. One of the things about the Cabby build, plenty of extra parts. I sent him some video of the engine block and the cylinder head. He mated that with an incredible white board explanation of how the VR6 works.

As you guys know, I have an affinity for the VR6. It is such a cool design, not to mention that it looks SWEET in the MK1 Cabby. I also shot some audio of how wonderful the exhaust note is.

If you are having trouble watching on the blog, check out VR6 Explained on YouTube.

Well folks, there you have it. You are now experts on the VR6 engine. Big thanks to Jason for letting me work with him on this video. Check out all his amazing work at:

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Tool Sorter Pliers Storage Tray Review

pliers tool sorterHey everyone. As you may know, Thursday’s have become tool review days. I have to say that I love doing tool reviews. As someone that owns a ton of tools, it is fun to share my experiences with them.

Today we are talking about the Tool Sorter Pliers Storage Tray. This is a very timely review for me. My pliers drawer was a mess. So bad that I wont even post a picture. And you know me, I share just about everything with you guys.

Tool Sorter Pliers Storage Tray Facts:

  • Up to 11 pliers can be stored in separate compartments Width of compartments from 0.6″ to 1.15″
  • Tray size of 12″ is no limit – longer tools can be stored
  • The tray is designed to accommodate various tools The 12″ long tray is open on one side, so longer tools can be stored
  • There is some issue with spring loaded pliers. That is really the only issue. But they do mention that on the Tool Sorter site
  • Oh, I never thought about it, but this would be great for storing files and chisels.

Well, what did you guys think? After the review I brought the tray to work. I gotta say that I dig it. The concern I had about angled pliers was not really an issue. My angled pliers fit perfect. If you have any questions or comments, please post them below, or use the contact me form.

Be sure to check out and follow at:

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Podcast Episode 11 How A.S.E Tests are Made

Have you ever wondered how ASE tests are written? On today’s automotive podcast, are looking at how A.S.E tests are born. For those of you that may not know, ASE is the industry standard in testing automotive techs, as well as many other parts of the auto industry.

As you know, I spent several days in VA at a workshop for the A7 A.S.E test. This is a workshop where the A7 test is evaluated. Not only is it evaluated, but this is also the early steps of changing the test. So for all you dealer guys and gals, this is were we get rid of questions about vacuum controllers.

Today we talk about:

  • Who writes ASE tests
  • More about A.S.E. testing
  • How Questions are made
  • The rigorous review process
  • Fact checking
  • And More

If you are having trouble viewing, you can see the video on YouTube at “How A.S.E. Tests are Made”

Like every episode, your comments are welcome on appreciated. I work hard to give you guys the content you are looking for. The best way to be sure of that is to let me know. You can either post comments and questions below, or use the contact me page.

Reminder
I will be traveling this week. That means there may not be a Thursday tool review, or a Friday show. I have a billion things to get set before flying to Austin for the USGP. I will do a blog post with more info about that as I get it.

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Prepping Your Car For A Road Trip, Episode 10

Happy Monday everyone. I am still in catchup mode from last week’s travels. The awesome part about a 5 hour drive is, it gave me plenty of time to shoot some videos for you guys. The funny part is, I forgot my notes. This is an on the fly, no notes, just me talking show.

Today we are talking about getting your car ready for a road trip. I will do my best to put together a list of things from the show. But like I said, this I forgot my notes. So, this is what I think I talked about in the video 🙂

Today on the Automotive Podcast:

  • Car Maintenance
  • What to do 2-3 weeks before your trip
  • What to do 1 week before your trip
  • What to do the night before your trip
  • Car safety checks
  • plan your route

A while back, I wrote a few posts about Prepping Your Car for a Road Trip.

As always, thanks for watching or listening. I had a great time shooting this video in the car. Remember that your comments are always welcome and appreciated. Did I miss anything in the show? What do you do to prep your car for a road trip?

Don’t forget, I am on all the cool social media deals

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Advice For New Drivers, Beyond Drivers Ed

Happy Friday everyone. I have something very different and awesome for you today. As you know, my good pal Rusty and I have been doing a show together for the last few weeks. It is basically us chatting about many things in the car world. I am still playing around with some of the scheduling for the blog. So I thought I would test out posting our show on Friday.

This time we are talking about something very important, Advice for New Drivers. I think most of us can agree that most state drivers ed programs are WEAK! We wanted to give you guys some thoughts on where drivers ed can improve, and some ways for everyone to be come a better driver.

Show Notes:

  • Where drivers ed fails
  • Where drivers ed does well
  • importance of vehicle checks
  • Tips on changing a tire
  • Teaching about maintenance
  • Good driver etiquette
  • On road driving tips
  • don’t match speed
  • leave yourself an out
  • Slow is NOT always safe
  • Accident Avoidance
  • How Go Karts are a good teaching tool AND FUN!
  • And more

Well what did you think? Do you have a new driver in your family? Would these tips help them out? Do you REALLY want to go and drive some Go Karts now? 🙂

 

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