VR6t GTI Update ~ The engine is Installed!

A quick update on the MK3 GTI VR6t project. The engine is installed in the car. Several parts are mocked up to test for proper fitment. The turbocharger is not installed, but will be to properly clock it. Front end is on for some radiator, condenser, and fan fitment. The engine bay will be tight, but awesome!

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Trouble viewing? Watch “VR6t GTI Update ~ The engine is Installed!” 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, contact me via email, or use the contact me form! Don’t forget to follow me at:

How To Properly Time and Install Timing Chains on a VR6

Timing chains failing is very common on the older VR6 engines. most of the original guides were damaged in some way at 140,000 miles on this GTI. When I first bought the car, I knew that I would be doing a chain job on it. I also get asked a lot about how to time an engine. Timing an engine varies greatly deepening on the engine. But there are some universal best practices when it comes to timing an engine, replacing a timing belt or chains.

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If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today

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.

Important links:

Trouble viewing? Watch “How To Properly Time and Install Timing Chains on a VR6” 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, contact me via email, or use the contact me form! Don’t forget to follow me at:

How to assemble an engine block

How to assemble an engine block

When it comes to building an engine block, there are some rules. Rules that should always be followed. Building an engine block is not

really a “HARD” task, it’s really just nuts and bolts. But if we cheat, or ignore the rules, ignore the process, we can set our engine up for failure.

I had the amazing opportunity to bring my engine block to NASCAR Technical Institute for some help on assembly. Having a master engine builder give you guidance and advice on assembling an engine is a chance you don’t miss. It’s also amazing to hear the amount of knowledge they have about engines. Mr Wolfe will probably forget more about engine before lunch than I will ever know. A bug time thank you to him, and the team at NTI for helping me out on this end of the project.

Become A CrewMember
If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today

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.

Important links:

Trouble viewing? Watch “How To Assemble an Engine Block” 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, contact me via email, or use the contact me form! Don’t forget to follow me at:

MK3 Turbo VR6 GTI

Today we get an update on the progress of the MK3 GTI project car. This is a VR6 engine rebuild, paired with a turbocharger installation. Plenty of parts have been replaced on the VR6 as well as painted or powder coated. This is a quick update showing some of the engine assembly that has taken place. Much of this assembly was filmed, but doesn’t really fit into a video. The next update will show be around installing the engine.

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If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today

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.

Important links:

Trouble viewing? Watch “Turbo VR6 Project Update ~ A Ton of Progress” 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, contact me via email, or use the contact me form! Don’t forget to follow me at:

restore subframe

Part of any car restoration is prepping, cleaning and painting what seems to be an endless number of parts. When you can remove a subframe to refinish it, you really should. Today I show you exactly how to paint your subframe and all the steps to make your old subframe look new. As we start putting parts back on the GTI, taking the time to clean, prep and paint each part is important. These little details can be the difference between being happy with a build, and being in love with a build. I am really happy with how this subframe refinish came out.

Become A CrewMember
If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today

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.

Important links:

Quick note, you may be better off buying these items locally. They were as much as half the price of Amazon.

Trouble viewing? Watch “Refinish An Ugly Subframe” 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, contact me via email, or use the contact me form! Don’t forget to follow me at:

VR6 Turbo

The White Wookie VR6 project has been going on for some time. The GTI has been under the knife for far too long. Now that we are moving at a better pace, it’s time for an update. In this update we talk about where we are with the engine build. We also look at something extra special that I have planned. I have not told many folks about this. The CrewMembers got a video a while back talking about my fill plans. But today I make the official big announcement. ENJOY!

Become A CrewMember
If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today

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.

Trouble viewing? Watch “Remove and Install Passat Bumper Cover and Grill” 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, contact me via email, or use the contact me form! Don’t forget to follow me at:

MK3 Vr6 suspension

MK3 suspension

Today on Project White Wookie build, we are removing the front suspension. There are a few reasons the entire front suspension is being removed. I will be painting the engine bay. To properly paint the bay, I needed the suspension out of the way. It works out well because I will also be replacing the bushings, and painting the suspension components. This video also is paired up with a Facebook live show. You will be able to see some of the comments and question as they come in via FaceBook live. This is the first time I have done it this way. I would love to get your thoughts.

Become A CrewMember
If you like this show. If you get value out of the videos and content that I put out, consider supporting the show by becoming a CrewMember. You will get discounts you can’t get anywhere else, exclusive videos from me, and VW/Audi training manuals. Between the discounts and the training manuals, the CrewMembership can easily pay for itself. Become a CrewMember today

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 today as we discuss:Best Rust penetrating oil

  • Learn more about WD-40® Specialist® Products
  • Purchase WD-40® Rust Release Penetrant 
  • Why the front suspension is coming out
  • Pretreating suspension parts with WD40® Rust release penetrant
  • A mistake I made
  • Removing and securing the brake calipers and carrier
  • Removing subframe bolts
  • Tips for removing the steering rack
  • Removing the top nut on the strut with impact
  • Removing the top nut on the strut with hand tools
  • Lowering the front suspension
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Removing The Front Suspension ~ White Wookie” 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, 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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