Tag Archive for: VR6

Thermostat Replacement and Cooling System Upgrades ~ R32 Restoration

Thermostat Replacement and Cooling System Upgrades ~ R32 Restoration

Thermostat Replacement and Cooling System Upgrades for a 2004 VW R32. This thermostat replacement will cover all 24v VR6 engines. This will also cover thermostat housing replacement and coolant transfer pipe or CRACK PIPE. This thermostat was failing, but some how there was not a thermostat housing leak. This is an extremely common repair on many different Volkswagens. The repair seems to come in two forms, repairing a coolant leak, or fixing a check engine light. A VW with a check engine light? Surely you must be kidding! 😉

This DIY is pretty straight froward and requires only some basic hand tools. I have listed some tools below if you find you are missing anything. Be sure to follow the rest of the R32 restoration and rehab.

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.

Tools used in this video:

Trouble viewing? Watch “Thermostat Replacement and Cooling System Upgrades ~ R32 Restoration ” 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:

/2 Comments/by
How to assemble an engine block

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:

/5 Comments/by
VR6 Piston design

VR6 Engine Update ~ White Wookie

VR6 engine design

I feel like it’s been YEARS since the last White Wookie update. Today we are going to be looking at some of what is in store for the VR6. There will be more to come ;). Before the VR6 is installed in the car, it must be put together. During the assembly process, I will be making several videos show how to assemble parts, take measurements, and avoid headaches down the road. Plus there are still a few surprises left up my sleeve.

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:

Trouble viewing, watch “VR6 Engine Update ~ 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!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

/2 Comments/by

Removing Carbon From Piston, Cylinder Walls, and Block Deck

Today I am removing carbon buildup from combustion chamber, the tops of the pistons, and removing debris from the engine block deck. If these areas are not clean, it can lead to hot spots in the cylinder, and a poorly sealing head gasket. I am using WD-40® Trigger Pro® and Scotchbright pads. While WD-40® does not technically “clean”, it does an amazing job of removing oils and carbon. This is a must when removing build up in an engine. WD-40® also helps displace water to prevent rust. Support for this video was provided in part by WD-40®.

Important links:717nkAg+yqL._SL1500_

Join me today as we:

  • Remove debris from the head gasket surface
  • Remove carbon buildup from the top of Pistons
  • Remove carbon from tops of the cylinder bore
  • How to take care NOT to damage cylinder wall
  • Inspect for cross hatching of cylinder
  • When to take engine block to machine shop
  • and more

Trouble viewing” Watch “Removing Carbon From Piston, Cylinder Walls, and Block Deck” 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:

/4 Comments/by

How To Replace Spark Plugs, on ANY Car

Replacing spark plugs in a modern vehicle can be very intimidating. But this can be a very easy DIY on just about any car. In this video I will teach you the method I use to replace spark plugs on any car. This will cover removing spark plug wires, cleaning spark plug wells, installing and torquing spark plugs, and reinstalling wires.

We will be working with my 1998 VW GTI with the Vr6 engine.

Important links from the video

Join me today as we learn:

  • How to find your car’s spark plugs
  • Working with spark plug wires
  • Routing plug wires
  • Rules for working clean with spark plugs
  • Installing spark plugs
  • Proper spark plug torque
  • Installing spark plug wires
  • Proper spark plug wire routing
  • and more

Trouble viewing? Watch “How To Replace Spark Plugs, on ANY Car” 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:

/1 Comment/by

Wookies In The Woods, Best VW Event in the US?

Wookies In The WoodsIs Wookies In The Woods, Best VW Event in the US? Well based on how great the event is, anyone can make a case for that. This event is a Golf R and R32 event at The Tail Of The Dragon. A group of modified and stock VR6 r32 and TSI Golf R get together to run one of the greatest drives in the USA, The Tail Of The Dragon. Today I will be recapping the event. Thanks to everyone that made it, and all the awesome people that I met.

Join me today as we discuss


Trouble viewing? Watch “Wookies In The Woods, Best VW Event in the US?” on YouTube.

As always I love to hear your thoughts. Please post them in the comments section below. Again, if you have a product for a show like this, email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com with Review 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:Wookies In The Woods

/2 Comments/by

VR6 GTI Update, 2015 Recap, Plans for 2016, Episode 120

MK3 vr6 GTIToday we are taking a look back at the amazing year that way 2015. Last year was an amazing year for me both personally and professionally. We will also be looking ahead to what 2016 will bring for the show, for me and my fellow VW techs, and the VR6 GTI aka “Project White Wookie”.

I also want you all to know that I appreciate all of you. If you have taken just one second to chat with me, send me an email, like a post on Instagram, share a video I did, leave a comment, I owe you a huge thank you. With out your support I would have called it quits. I want to be sure that I am giving you tons of value, and 2016 is gonna blow your mind!

Join me as we discuss:

Recap of 2015 for Humble Mechanic

2015 Recap at the shop

  • “Promoted”to shop foreman
  • DieselGate ~(I forgot to mention this on the show)

What 2016 will bring

  • More DIY
  • More failed parts
  • More motivation
  • More teaching

Project White Wookie

  • GTI Walk around
  • Parking for the winter
  • Tons of repairs and DIY videos
  • How deep will it go?

What do you want from Humble Mechanic in 2016??

Trouble viewing? Watch “VR6 GTI Update ~ 2015 Recap ~ Plans for 2016 ~ Podcast Episode 120” 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.

VW Mechanic

How did I forget to talk about this?!

Don’t forget to follow me at:

/1 Comment/by