12 Best Mechanic Tips and Tricks from the CAR WIZARD put all together

The CAR WIZARD 🧙‍♂️ shares his best tips and tricks for making it easier to work on cars. To give the Wizards a couple of days off over the holidays they put together a mix of their best shortcuts to working on cars.
🎸🎸 Hope you like the new intro and outro music and updated Wizard logo. Check out Clayton Cagle / claytoncalifornia 🎸🎸
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🎸 MUSIC BY CLAYTON CAGLE: / claytoncalifornia 🎸

[@CarWizard]

Thanks again CJ Cagle for the awesome intro / video music. Dont forget to check out his Instagram by clicking the link in the description!! Watch video until the end, lots of cool pics of CJ!!

[@jwenting]

well done intro. Not my favourite style, as I don't like that kind of metal. But well made.

[@Czechbound]

It rocks ! Hard ! Well done. I love it !

[@georgecastanza-harrison1649]

!!The impact-wrench-mimicking drums at the end!! So cool & well done.

[@SabotageGarageUSA]

Great new intro!

[@blaakrose]

This is awesome Car wizard. Now Tyler Hoover should get a custom intro now to not be out done. Rick Astley is probably more the style music Tyler would get. Imagine getting Rick rolled every time a person watches Hoovies garage.

[@FlugPoP]

The load test is my favorite "But I'm getting 12 volts!" Not when you put a load on it. Now its 7 volts

[@Oddman1980]

I had a battery do that to me last winter. I'd get 12 volts, but as soon as I did anything with the truck it was in, it would go dead. First I disconnected it from the truck, then I made a device similar to what he showed in the video, and the battery wouldn't even run a single turn signal bulb. In fact, when I took the battery to replace it, and they insisted on testing it, the battery wouldn't even run their tester.

[@sporty196071]

All great helpful tips, I know most of them. I've been a mechanic for over 50 years. I always keep a couple jars relays & fuses I've saved from junk cars. I use them for testing. I take the case off so I can push the relay on and off for testing. When I was younger I knew everything, then when I was about 40 I shut my mouth and opened my ears and became a better mechanic. I learn alot from the Wizard!

[@mr.mr.3301]

Many years ago my parents had a Ford Aerostar minivan. Dad busted his knuckles changing the last spark plug on the passenger side. Took him hours. A few months down the road he was doing a brake job and noticed with the tire off the spark plug was right in front of him.

[@brianthe82studioandlegomov97]

My parents owned one as well, that took one year, that was back in '99 and one year later, they replaced it with a Windstar, which is cooler, but the Windstar should be one the don't buy list because they have a 3.0 liter V6 as well as the parts being hard to find.

[@reginaldbowls7180]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nickwarner8158]

Guessing he didn't just pull the doghouse. You get a lot more access that way. When I was 16 and first got my license I drove an 86 Aerostar with a 3.0 and a stick shift. We lived an hour drive in every direction from the nearest town big enough to have a stoplight. Either my dad had a lot of confidence in me or I wasn't his favorite and that was his way of showing me.

[@brian5o]

@@nickwarner8158 You were very lucky to get an Aerostar with a stick! I knew they existed but never saw one in person though (but wish I had). I'd sure love to have one. When I was in high school, a neighbor that was the same age inherited his grandparents Aerostar XLT. It was 2-tone with brown upper and lower and gold in the center of the body. I think it also had the 3.0 also but was an automatic. He ended up lowering it and it looked badass. I've always loved the looks of them and the Astros and the Astros, too could be purchased with a manual transmission, at least in the earlier years. I wish I could buy a minivan with a manual transmission today. The Transit-Connect comes in a manual in other markets but unfortunately not in the US. I think the last minivan that was sold here with an available manual was the Mazda5 which was also a cool minivan until the last update where they made it crazy-ugly. Unfortunately, the looks of the last one I think really hurt its sales and Mazda ended up discontinuing it which was a shame. There is someone here on KZbin who did a 5.0 swap on a really, really nice blue Aerostar and he went with a manual transmission on that one, too. It's worth checking out if you haven't seen the video of it yet. It was pretty awesome!

[@LvLdGhost]

@@brianthe82studioandlegomov97 hard disagree. My windstar is fucking tank. It won’t die. Hard to work on for a DIYer, but mines a tank.

[@tph318]

Tip #1 is great. Used that trick many times. You can also remove the cross member and tilt the transmission down to reach bolts that are inaccessible.

[@Adamyup32]

90s rangers with manual transmissions had 2 bolts that were Damn near at the firewall at the top. Have to tilt it down. great tip !

[@getlosttoday4045]

We have used Vaseline on o-rings for years. Painting equipment, watering equipment, and cars and trucks. Old farm trick

[@CanadianRoadandTrack]

It shows that using the right tool for the job and quality materials is both a time and money saver. This compilation of "Secrets of the Car Wizard " should be a more regular thing.

[@tl1024]

Wizzard tip #9, always use the lubricant expected in that system, if its AC, use the AC lubricant expected in that system, if its Automatic transmission fluid, use automatic transmission fluid. The point here is USE THE LUBRICANT THAT SYSTEM USES!.

[@a7xphenix]

When it comes to anything auto repair, wizard is king no question. Not only does he have the knowledge but the dudes so enjoyable to watch

[@dieseltech139]

Good tips. 45+ years in the business, I have a few 18", 24" and even 30" long 3/8 extensions and with them and some good quality swivel sockets, the reach is endless!👍 Thank you for the Always worthwhile interesting content! 👍🇺🇸

[@aussie2uGA]

As they say, work smarter, not harder

[@tomgill9467]

Tip #2 YES! This saved me last summer when I was 40 miles away from home. Couldn't start the car, after a few tries I noticed the fuel pump was not making noise. Had my son reach under the car and hit the fuel tank with a flashlight. Three hits and the car started! Got home with no problem. Not sure why my original fuel pump only lasted 430,000 miles! ;-)

[@erscustoms911]

Hey wizard Instead of using paper inside a socket to make a bolt fit tighter, you have to find when it falls or possibly lose and is potentially a fire hazard, I prefer electrical tape. Stick it to the socket and it stays connected to you pull it off! Keep up the great content

[@deadprivacy]

gob of grease always does the job

[@t3ck3r]

I like masking tape myself.

[@PeteCourtier]

Fingers off latex gloves as well 👍

[@seeburg10]

Blue painters tape.

[@Davids-cc9sn]

I've had the tape backfire on me. Held the bolt while I got it started, but then was too sticky couldn't get my socket off. Ended up struggling with that. Stuck too good.

[@PRB1098]

It's like magic, the Wizard's hair keeps appearing and disappearing! 🤣🤣🤣

[@MrJpierre1000]

Tip #4 I've used grease in the end of the socket to hold the bolt in place.

[@billkallas4046]

I've used your starter solenoid trick, back in the 70's, when I had a Ford that had the starter solenoid mounted, not on the starter, but on the inside fender. It would occasionally stick, and a few taps with a small wrench would free it up. For some strange reason, i'd have to replace those solenoids every three years.

[@michaelrussell6661]

Used to work in a Vineyard and there was a couple tractors that had dodgy starter solenoid's, used a long screw driver to start them by shorting out the terminal's on the Solenoid. :D

[@kattcasel9730]

Ah, a Ford owner! Here in Colorado this was common in the winter. The solenoid was on the fender and the starter had a "Bendix" type of clutch that threw the gear into the flywheel. This set-up loved to get sticky on the coldest days!! Back in the "good 'ole days", every brand had its' own tricks and tips to keep them running in any conditions.

[@dominickserignese8837]

You can also put some grease in the socket to hold the bolt in place. That way you do not have to worry about retrieving a piece of paper.

[@bikecommuter24]

We did that in the Air Force working on Jet engines with bolts in tight places.

[@BlackLung911]

I used to use BluTac instead of a piece of paper to hold a nut or bolt that was in danger of falling out of a socket wrench.

[@pops55650]

Haha the first tip the Wizard has hair! That’s a tip I need at my age lol

[@pops55650]

The rivets tip.. one of those things I should know but didn’t.

[@15DudeAwesome]

Car Wizard!

[@jfv65]

Those bad ground are notorious when you work on old cars. I make a point of it to always clean them if i work near or around them. One very often neglected ground connection is the one between block and body. It's often a woven strap somewhere deep inside the engine bay and it's exposed to rain and road grime for years. They corrode over time and can cause weird problems. Then when you remove such a strap it sometimes pulverises in your hands. It's completely corroded... One new strap later and some proper contact cleaning and all of a sudden the starter turns much better/faster! I wonder why...? LOL

[@jawojnicki]

That power probe is the greatest value of any electrical tool I ever bought! Insane utility. YES, most of it's functions can be done with cheaper tools /jumper wires but it's SO much more convenient with the PP that it's worth every penny!

[@chucklowe4166]

Learning how properly remove a rivet was very valuable. Thanks.

[@brandonsmith5506]

Back in the day when I used to work in the garage, we used to use petroleum jelly around the o rings to lube them up to seat. Those are some great tips

[@pfsantos007]

Nice! Tips and Tricks = Options when in a bind! Also, when connecting long extensions together, it helps to hold them near the tip (that's what she said)!

[@krisconkey8165]

Having worked in the used car business for 25 plus years, I know a lot of these tips and they are very helpful.

[@robertgoss4842]

Wizard: Thanks a million for producing one of the very best sites on the Net. Sharing your years of experience has doubtless spared thousands of car buyers immense grief. I myself would never buy a car without checking your YT channel. Congrats on a job well done!

[@cutl00senc]

Here’s a tip to prevent bad fuel pumps….never drive on empty. Fuel pumps get hot and the fuel keeps them cool. Running on low fuel constantly will prematurely fail a pump.

[@joeyh7796]

234k on a 14 3.6 ram cv tradesman or a dodge caravan i never ever get below 1/4 tank for that exact reason. we got that van at 113k for all i know that’s the orginal fuel pump

[@ohioplayer-bl9em]

@@joeyh7796 265,000 on my original fuel pump. It is a flex fuel vehicle that primarily run E85. I think they overbuilt the fuel systems in the flex fuel cars because when first released they had issues with the alcohol messing the pumps up.

[@ald.ackleyvisd6194]

Great tip, thanks! I've also heard that those fuel additives can damage a fuel pump over time if add to tanks that aren't full.

[@joeyh7796]

@@ohioplayer-bl9em this van is flex fuel as well. we have two more vans (company fleet, family business) 13 and a 14 The 14 doesn’t have flex fuel by while the 13, Kind of weird but dodge what are you gonna do

[@dicknodnfs]

Removing rivets, what an elegant solution.

[@christopherklanica4155]

Great tips. I had to purchase a long 3/8" extension to get to the passenger side O2 sensor on an Audi 2.7T. Once I cleared all the obstructions I had it out in a matter of minutes.

[@Mab0fSteel]

Always appreciate learning how to get clean holes from the Wizards!

[@carmudgeon7478]

Homemade tools are my favorite. I did buy a 48" 1/2" drive extension with a pinned 3/8" end when the 4R100s were dropping like flies. New music too! What a 'riveting' video! (sorry, I have no self control)

[@jjboohoo9641]

Have you ever tested the air quality of your shop? That reclaimed oil heating system looks like it creating havoc on the wall insulation

[@houseofno]

Love the new Intro. Car Wizard to employee: "You broke WHAT? C'mere..." Run, dude... LOL. Thanks for the great tips Wizard!

[@maraudingmerc9381]

This is a great look back. I've used a lot of these already, and have had to tell people about "The Car Wizard" who I learned these tricks from. A piece of paper keeping bolts from falling out is PRICELESS!

[@tl1024]

Tip #12 is the one that will make the difference in a parts replacer & a problem solver. If you go with "yeah, volts look fine", you will guaranteed run into a problem you just cant fix one day soon. A crappy connection will most often provide "good volts", but only be "phantom voltage" if you put any load on the circuit. It's been tough to teach my bro the idea of "phantom voltage" that's not real.. hes getting good at it tho. It's way too easy for anyone, even me, to fail to see "the forest through the trees"

[@parmelapowell8283]

I like the new Intro! Love it Clayton Cagle!

[@organiccold]

New intro approved the music is really cool too :) CJ is amazing

[@brianmiller6340]

For o-rings that go around a fitting (instead of fitting inside a machined groove), once I have the o-ring on, I gently slide the point of a Lisle #31800 scribe and go around behind the o-ring a few times. An old-timer told me to do that so that any rolling or twisting of the o-ring that happened when I put it on is straightened out.

[@the_failed_states]

That rivet punch trick - gold. Thanks Wizard.

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

I’ve used the “Dremel slot” trick on a deadbolt that had “one way” screws that could only be tightened, not loosened. Worked like a charm! The new open is great! Thank you to Car Wizard and Mrs Wizard, continued success to you and your family; you are hard working honest people who deserve good things!

[@davidnuckols8151]

It's amazing how your hair came back temporarily. This is stuff I wish I knew in 1970.

[@brownwrench]

You get a huge amount of windup breaking stuff loose with long extensions. When they let loose, everything flies apart.

[@thetrooper72]

Omg that outro! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@JCIIIBULLET]

@Car Wizard At the beginning of this video, I was cocky and thought I knew everything you were going to say, but then you proved me wrong lol Thank you, I like learning new things and I appreciate you:)

[@crownhic6827]

Cool intro. Great tips. Thank you

[@Staniel_]

the Rivet tip was my personal favorite. ran into a regulator issue on my old bimmer and wish i knew this sooner

[@kattcasel9730]

The Wichita Kansas area is loaded full of expert rivet mashers and rivet drillers!!!!

[@300DBenz]

Thanks for telling me about the relay test switches, they helped me diagnose a REALLY weird no start condition on a BMW X5. Found a burnt out fuel pump relay, replaced it and then it started and ran for 1 second and set 50 trouble codes. However, with the relay test switch in, the car ran normally and didn’t set any codes. Turns out the ECU was shorted out internally.

[@HachBoxe]

I love the new intro!

[@duett445]

I used trick nbr 4 , with the paper in the socket, today. Thanks ,it sure saved me a lot of time and frustration. Thank you.

[@Jack9788]

This is the best video you've uploaded all year!

[@Offthbadan]

That fuel pump trick saved me many times in the past. You can either strike it below or by pushing up and down on the trunk.

[@hotpuppy1]

Good tips. Starters sometimes CAN run again by hitting them with a hammer IF it is the brushes that are worn out and barely making contact. Sticky solenoids can be helped by tapping on them. Relays: if you don't have the nifty little switch, swap a relay from another slot. O-rings: one of the gripes I have with manufacturers is when they leave a sharp shoulder that cuts the new o-ring as you are sliding it in. Why can they put a slight chamfer on the part?

[@AMS611]

Digging the new intro mr wiz

[@AdamSmith-tt4fq]

Loving the new intro

[@Internetpirate3]

@ 12:11. A strong neodymium magnet held on top of a relay will work as well.

[@Sam_Saraguy]

I was binge watching Wizard tips videos yesterday and you missed my favorite - using an Amp Hound to figure out parasitic draw.

[@AlessandroGenTLe]

The paper trick (nr. 4) saved me a lot of troubles many time (seen it in the original video), thanks man!

[@hughbarton5743]

I loved the switched relay gizmo...the. guy who thought of that should have been given a raise. It always seemed that cars that just had a major auto body repair had ground problems. Hmmm.... Hot rods with pretty powder coated frames? Ditto..... Loved the o-ring tutorial! Never would have thought to use a/c rings in other applications. HNY to you and the Missus. Thanks as always!

[@bikecommuter24]

And here I used German Torque Guten-Tight. As a retired Aircraft ,Auto and Motorcycle Mechanic when I worked on Airplanes I must of have removed thousands of rivets, I got tired of drilling real fast so I asked they guys in the metal fab shop how they did they showed me a Rivet Removal tool it looks like a metal cutter it was expensive but it saved me so much time and energy. You would be surprised how many motorcycles with "Electric Issues" I fixed by finding the battery ground loose and or corroded.

[@mired914]

You really do give some of the best real car information in all of youtube, well done brother and thank you for what you do.

[@casketblack5660]

Youre the man. Thank you

[@Sam_Saraguy]

Happy New Year, Dave. Really enjoyed your content in 2021, looking forward to more in 2022.

[@CountryFarmBoyUSA]

Wait, his name is Dave and not Car Wizard?!,!

[@garfixit]

Once again I agree 100% on the o rings and always check from the source. The band sounds good

[@christopherkraft1327]

Hey Wizard & Mrs Wizard, the new intro is great!!! Happy New Year!!! 👍👍😁

[@bdpopeye]

Great new opening! I really like it. You folks are awesome. I always enjoy your videos!

[@dustintunis9347]

Tip #2 : Some cars need to crank before the fuel pump primes. I replaced the fuel pump in my 91 Eagle Talon TSi 20ish years ago because it died and the pump didn't prime when I turned the key to on. It turned out it jumped timing and trashed the head.

[@Virtual-Playground]

I'm an espresso machines technician and I test so many machines as well. We do share a lot of similarities on how to troubleshoot and repair the machines. I loved that rivet removal tip no wonder the first one I tried to remove was rough, I end up using a screw and a bot on that hole. Thank you for the tips

[@badomen8779]

The load test ground fault indicator is a great idea! I'm not much in to car troubleshooting yet, but I have been working with hydraulic generators for almost nine years and I think that helps me understand a bit more of the electrical side of things.

[@rEdHoUsE_1969]

A timely reminder compilation ... 👉"Don't get boxed in"👈 is my new mantra when working in those tight places around the gearbox, engine, driveshaft ... Also a great Wizard campaign slogan ... 🤔

[@TheRealPOTUSDavidByrd]

Those thin ratchets are amazing Car Wizard.

[@hbhamilton3410]

Your original intro is still the best one.

[@brandoncarpenter429]

Lord Wizard, Hail sir, from Illinois. I greatly appreciate the effort you put into your videos. I'm a new car mechanic (hobby status), and your videos greatly help. Keep on keeping on my brother. ⚔️🛡️

[@Johnkb2059]

The long flex end ratcheting box wrenches snap-on makes them snap on you could buy them individually 13 mm 15 mm if you work on Fords 12 mm 14 mm if you work on Asian cars

[@Superflid]

Thanks for the rivet tips, got to replace the drivers door window mechanism in my 2003 mercedes S class!

[@jamesfrench7299]

I recently used the paper method to hold the bolts in after recalling it when I dropped one and didn't hear it land on the ground! Luckily I managed to retrieve it and the rest were drama free when removing an air box.

[@Tiredsoutherndad]

I like the new intro.

[@paulshannon4576]

I was going to say you could use tip #2 for a starter but then you did tip #3. 🤷‍♂️. I saw #3 used on an old International school bus that the Park Service was using for tours at Mount McKinley back in 1977. Had an old bus mechanic from Ohio on the trip and he used his wooden cane. 🤣🤣🤣

[@fryreartechnology7611]

The o-ring tip is what I have been doing for the last 10 years at work. The Viton o-rings are the best and when I can put one in a part I do. I learned to that with high vacuum metalizers that pulled vacuum so high or low I guess it was 0.00001mbar with 3 booster stages before a diffusion's pump with cryogenic chiller freezing the air molecules. Crazy machines built in Germany on NASA space designs all for the metal lining on potato chip bags.

[@haroldneely9253]

Yeah, I really liked the load test. I’ve been curious about on my 93 4Runner

[@cinnieschwartztrauber9267]

Clayton Cagle is taking the channel to the next level

[@darrellsaunders4267]

68 firebird 400 with A/C....FRONT two spark plugs on r/h side..jack the car up and go thru the inner fender shield to chg plugs....either that or remove a/C compressor..

[@rtap8170]

Whaaaaat new intro?!? That totally caught me off guard, it looks and sounds awesome wizard, great way to start the new year!

[@Oddman1980]

About #3 - you really want to avoid hitting the starter, as the Wizard says, but here's why - most starters now have permanent magnets in them. And when you smack it with a hammer, you'll break the magnets. I have a socket wrench that is so helpful, that I don't know why I don't see them everywhere. It's an old Stanley Wal-mart special, and it has a weird feature - the handle can turn like a screwdriver handle. When you twist the handle, the square drive bit - the part that holds the socket - it also spins. It will always spin the way you have the ratchet set. So if you are tightening something, you can twist the handle back and forth, and the drive will only spin one way. This thing is supremely helpful when you have that bolt that is too tight for fingers, but you can't move a ratchet back and forth more than one click, and some sadist has decided that the bolt must be three inches long. Also, I flinched when you were demonstrating the way to install O-rings on the compressor. Yikes. Astroglide works great for O-rings, too.

[@Paulman50]

Ha, been tapping the starter in my digger for about 5 years, mainly in the wet.

[@tek_soup]

This is the Best Video of 2022 so Far, Thank You!

[@kevinjohnson9736]

Not that you don't have to know what you're doing but having the right tool makes all the difference.

[@CarGuy1]

Yes! Thanks for putting this together. In a world where most mechanics are really just part changers, this is the info we need!

[@michellephilhower2191]

Had the fuel pump go on my 1988 chevy celebrity when I was working at a auto shop. In fact I was at work when it went out had to use an old wooden bat so I could move my car out of the way. Ordered yhefuel pump n had to help take gas tank down

[@tl1024]

Tip #5, if you have cut your slit for a flat head screwdriver, if you can, smack the handle end of the screwdriver towards the threaded end of the screw, it will often take away the clamping force that was keeping that bolt tight, and it will come out easily.

[@dercisi9429]

Nice New Intro, i Like it

[@MikhailScottKy]

Trick to empty a full fuel tank. Remove the fuel line before the filter and pressurize the tank. the air pressure will usually push most of the fuel out of the tank into a container.

[@gipstetz6720]

Thanks Wizard. Love the vids. You and Hoovie are the Best. Wish I lived closer so I could get my cars worked on by the Wizard!

[@valiantsloth]

#7 I have a $30 belt tool that you use shallow sockets with. Much cheaper than those wrenches. Haven't run into anything too tight for it.

[@funnypranker34]

Tip #3 works on alternators too. Got home 200 miles on a failing alternator by just hitting the dam thing

[@robertwoodward8542]

Hey wizard! I see the R class Mercedes in the back ground. If you’re servicing the turbos and having trouble let me know as I had one and discovered some interesting facts about them that may be useful. Great video!

[@ripvanrevs]

I had an inline fuel pump that was put in my 80 Trans Am where the filter should have been so it was above the gas tank and tailpipe. I think it was getting too hot and kicking off. I coaxed my car 20 miles home by getting out and tapping on the fuel pump. Had to do it 4 or 5 times. Changed the location to below the tank (like the directions say!!) and haven't had any problem yet.

[@dustintunis9347]

Tip #6 : A small paperclip will do the same thing, you just have to know which 2 to connect. The relay switch is easier and more foolproof, but if you're not a professional mechanic then it's probably just one more tool to spend 30 minutes trying to find when you finally need it, just to give up and grab a piece of wire or paperclip.

[@antbonyziemiak208]

There's also magnetic sockets and magnetic inserts for sockets to bolts from falling out

[@RedLP5000S]

Thank you Wizard. I learned quite a bit from this video. ✌🏻

[@azroadposer]

The last one and the power probe I use as the same, but check with a meter to ensure no shorts. If I were a mechanic, I would buy that power prober.