Tag Archive for: coolant

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic’s tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in the subject. That is the best way to avoid the spam monster. If you don’t get your question on this show, email it again just to be sure.

Sponsor of the Day

CRP AUTOCRP deals in a ton of OE automotive parts. They also make the factory DSG fluid for VW. Having them as a sponsor will give us access to more information about fluids than I would ever get from VW. I am really excited to have them as a resource of information. To learn more about the great products they have, check out CRPAutomotive.com

Join me today as I answer your questions on:

  • Performing a VW DSG Service
  • Watching for Transmission fluid leaks
  • What coolant to use in a 1991 GTI
  • What is Engine Coolant?
  • Becoming a VW Master tech
  • Using the proper engine oil
  • How to check a VW or Audi Timing Chain tensioner
  • Can I tune a high mileage car?
  • and more


Trouble viewing? Watch “Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 140” 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!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

volkswagen coolant

Volkswagen Coolant On this episode we are talking engine coolant. Coolant in your car’s engine is extremely important. Failure of the coolant or parts of the cooling system can result in catastrophic engine failure. Today I am joined by Mark Malone from CRP Automotive. We are going to give you the truth about engine coolant, or if you prefer, antifreeze.

Resources for today’s show:

Join us today as we discuss:

  • CRP Automotive
  • CRP and Volkswagen’s history
  • What is engine coolant?
  • Is it “coolant” or “antifreeze”?
  • What is the proper coolant mixture?
  • What is the proper water to mix coolant with?
  • What happens when coolant is mixed wrong
  • What happens when coolant fails?
  • History of VW coolant
  • Life expectancy of coolant
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “What Is Engine Coolant ~ Podcast Episode 85” on YouTube.

Thank you to Mark for joining me in studio today. If you have any coolant questions post them in the comments 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:

failed VW coolant bottle

failed vw coolant bottleHey everyone! As you all know, Tuesdays are failed VW part day. Today we are looking at failures of Volkswagen coolant bottles. This has been happening since the start of VW having a coolant bottle. Failures of this VW part comes in a few different forms. Luckily this is an easy DIY, and pretty cheap too. Check out all the Failed VW Parts videos on YouTube.

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 boys at DAP are awesome. Check them out!

Join me as we break down the VW coolant bottle

  • What the VW coolant bottle does
  • How the VW coolant bottles works
  • How the VW coolant bottle fails
  • Signs of coolant bottle failure
  • Diagnosing VW coolant bottle issues
  • Is the coolant bottle a DIY part?
  • Get a new coolant bottle from DAP. (As always confirm with your VIN)
  • and more

Having trouble viewing? Watch “How VW Coolant Bottles 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. Also thanks to VW for hooking up some sweat VW Driver Gear.

VW oil problem

Happy Wednesday everyone. As I am writing this, I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Christmas is next week. That means this will most likely be the last volume of Shop Shots of the year. I know that you are probably weeping. Don’t worry Shop Shots is not going anywhere. In fact next year should be the biggest year yet for all of us. Let’s get to it.

VW oil problemThe story behind this picture is one of those “you have to be kidding me” moments. A customer stopped by the dealer. He was driving through and the check engine light came on in his 2012 Passat. We worked him in because he was just passing through. When I pulled the car in the shop, it sounded a little funny. I started scanning the car for faults. While the scan tool was doing it’s thing, I popped the hook to have a look.

With the hood up, I found the reason the check engine light was on. It turns out the customer had his car serviced before his road trip. He made it 900 some miles before the check engine light came on. The place that serviced his car did not put the oil cap back on. Luckily it was just sitting by the wipers. The car’s ECM had faults stored for an air leak. Leaving the oil cap off creates a pretty good sized air leak. 🙂 I am just shocked he made it so far before the check engine light came on.

Clogged VW cooling systemNext up is a common issue that is taken to a level I have never seen. This is a shot of a coolant bottle on a 2003 Passat. I have seen quite a few 1998-2005 Passats have issues with cooling systems getting clogged up. It usually comes in with a “My heat does not work” complaint. Over time coolant breaks down and starts to block up the system. This prevents coolant from properly flowing in the system.

In this picture you can see just how clogged up the system got. This is a shot down into the coolant reservoir. I am pretty sure I have not seen a system this clogged. The customer declined making an repairs. I think it was a good choice on her part.

VW seat wiring problemLast up we have a VW wiring problem. This one was a good one. The customer complained about the seat moving while driving. He said that sometimes the seat would move forward or back all by itself. It car has power seats. The car had been in 2 other times for the same issue. We were never able to duplicate the issue. But the car had a fault stored in the computer that controls the seat. We had replaced the seat memory buttons, and the module. I pulled the seat out to inspect the wiring. Hidden in the seat rail was a wire that had a been grounding against the frame. Basically the car was seeing the button being pushed. Kind of funny really. I guess this is one of the electrical demons everyone talks about.

Well, that wraps it up for the final Shop Shots of 2013. I really do love posting Shop Shots. It is the most fun for me. If you like Shop Shot, please sign up for email updates. It is the best way to be sure you get all the blog updates.

Tag Archive for: coolant

What Is Engine Coolant and Why is it SO Important ~Audio Podcast Episode 85
Humble Mechanic Podcast
Humble Mechanic Podcast
What Is Engine Coolant and Why is it SO Important ~Audio Podcast Episode 85
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I am joined by Mark from CRP Automotive, and we talk engine coolant and antifreeze. What is the proper coolant, how to mix coolant, and what happens when you use the wrong coolant. Since this video was out, VW has had a LOT of issues with coolant. So much that they have moved away from coolant concentrate at the dealers. Now they really only sell premix. That is actually a good thing for customers that buy coolant there. It’s NOT a good thing for the shop. You basically have double the waste in plastic containers and cardboard. Well maybe not double since you need to have the appropriate mixing water. But you are basically getting half the coolant for the same price.

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Do you shop on Amazon?
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.

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 today as we discuss:

  • CRP Automotive ~ crpautomotive.com
  • CRP and Volkswagen’s history
  • What is engine coolant?
  • Is it “coolant” or “antifreeze”?
  • What is the proper coolant mixture?
  • What is the proper water to mix coolant with?
  • What happens when coolant is mixed wrong
  • What happens when coolant fails?
  • History of VW coolant
  • Life expectancy of coolant
  • and moreWhat Is Engine Coolant ~ Podcast Episode 85

Thanks for tuning in to the automotive podcast. I am really excited about the response. If you have an idea for a show, contact me via email, or use the contact me form! Humble Mechanic automotive Podcast Don’t forget to follow me at: