I've been turning wrenches professionally for 32 years in Maine so I get the whole "rust is a pain in the hoohoo".... Having a pissy pants day from time to time is necessary to exist in this industry, Eric. Thank you for your videos because I've learned a lot from you plus your humor\ sarcasm is priceless, my GUY !!!
Eric, thank you for showing your frustrated side , and sharing your experiences good and bad. I work at a chicken plant in the garage. It seems like the equipment operators have contests to see how bad they can mess things up. That sends me off the deep end, because I really do try to take good care of the equipment. Be tough, we're the few the proud and the strong. Maybe a little crazy too. Thanks again Eric O I've learned alot from your videos.
In the HVAC trade for 35 YRS. Retired. A friend of a friend who had a second cousin , ask me if I would give him a 4th opinion on replacing his whole A/C system. Since he was a friend to a friend. I went to his house. Condensing unit in good condition. Air handler in basement mechanical room in good condition. 2 companies and one individual told him he needed a new system. I checked it out. Just needed a 35/5 MFD Capacitor. And a Freon check. Also found low on refrigerant. Found small leak on capillary tube rubbing against coil door panel. Repaired, evacuated, recharged, and test. All o.k.. Ask how much he needed to pay me. Told him. 20 bucks for solder,gas,and oxygen. 30 bucks for refrigerant and that's it. His other quotes ranged from 7 grand to 10 grand. He gave me an envelope with 500 bucks.
He paid you 5-7% of what the other quotes were. You saved him. Finding good people is hard. We had an issue with my sisters car where it just quit and then ran poorly. Codes said fuel pump voltage issue. Tow it to him, he started the car fine. Cleared the codes for a fresh freeze frame and it never did it again. He drove it home and back, around the block and multiple times ever hour or so. Never could get it to die again. He could have just said it needed a pump and module and $1K later… but he didn’t. He couldn’t find the issue and didn’t even charge for that time he had in it for diag. Cars still driving fine now and it’s been 1-2 weeks. Some freak thing. There’s a reason we take all our cars to him. Cheaper then the dealer and better work.
I see this all the time. A lot of competitors to me don't even carry R22 on their trucks anymore. If the system is low, they just tell the customer it needs to be replaced. They don't even bother trying to fix the leak. Easy money for my company.
@@416Burrito are you still in the trade. I retired 7 yrs ago when I was able to draw my pention. Haven't they made an R 22 direct drop in. Just curious. Haven't researched it. Since I don't do any work of any kind anymore.
@@mikeglasgow9618 MO99 (R438A) is the drop in replacement. Same story though. Most don't carry it, even though it's inexpensive. A lot of hack companies out there. Which sucks for the customer. But my company has been around for 40 years and we carry a good reputation, so we stay quite busy.
Everyone's last option? You would be my first option. At least you know you will always be in business as others can't seem to fix the elusive jobs. We appreciate you Eric.
Weed hopper.... your conscienchousness is a most beautiful thing to observe. Never stop persuing perfection in all that you do. You may not always feel appreciated, but you are. May your eyes stay sharp and your hands stay nimble. Thanks my friend
Hang in there Eric! I absolutely hear your frustration and don't blame you at all but just know, you have a ton of people that religiously follow you on YT (and don't phone you!) who have tremendous respect for how you do your job and frankly have zero desire to criticize how you connect wires, etc.
Thanks for your tenacity and getting videos cranked out for us even when you're swamped and frustrated with real work and real cars. We all appreciate it!
As an electrician for over 40 years I can say, Trust me, it ain't just on cars!! I ask folks everyday, Why didn't you call me first before it got all screwed up and it would've been better for everybody!" They don't listen in Tenn any better than in NY!!! Really enjoy your videos!!
I learned a long time ago that perseverance is a key trait to have if you want to be really great as a technician. And every time you learn something that helps you in the future. I know it gets old, frustrating, and sometimes monotonous, but Eric, there is a drive within you to not be like everyone else. A perfectionist to a point but not OCD about it. My love was always being able to fix what others couldn't. I'm not overly crazy about cars, only been to a drag race twice in my life, but I made my career automotive, graduated from SIU and had a 30 year career with Ford Motor Company mostly in the technical side of the business. I have a twin post lift in my garage and I still love to work on cars and I'm 69 years old. I love your videos and can't wait for the next one. Thank you.
Whenever you get frustrated, stop, walk away, and take a few minutes to consider everything that you have accomplished. You will realize that on the upward achievement trajectory you are on things will only get better. You are one of the best problem solvers I know.
@@SouthMainAuto Sorry Eric but you forgot the WD-40 and the Brake clean . unless you used it off camera to get rid of the mouse nest wd 40 the mouse so he could be sucked up the vac tube and carb clean for fresh air to cover the smell of mouse pea .. I have worked on lawn mowers since I was about 9 years old ,, late 70's , I have removed a lot of nest ,, they can over heat a mower engine that is air cooled . but they make a mess of coil wires and the wire harness of a mower .. great video thumbs up
Mr. O, criticize you? Are you crazy? I watch all your videos for two reasons, one is your quick wit, love the way you tell it. Two, your ability to fix issues, like this one. One small wire hiding behind everything and BAM, you find and fix it. Keep up the great videos and never stop being you.
wow! something like 6 years of videos and you finally have a grouchy day? Man, I want my money back. Oh, right. You've been putting this out here for free and you're a human being. Seriously, I've always wondered how you can have such a good attitude. I'm 10x as salty for way less aggravation, so you let it out and we'll be here.
Sorry, what you call your being "in a mood" is sunshine, rainbows, and fuzzy kittens compared to my "normal." Your calmness never ceases to amaze me; I have never seen you throw even one tool.
Back in my youth, one of my brothers took apart his entire Corvair engine trying to fix a massive oil leak. Needless to say he had no idea on how to fix it and put it back together. He asked me to "help" him reassemble the motor. Reluctantly I agreed and he showed me several large boxes of parts just thrown together. Bolts thrown in with parts that were totally unrelated. After a couple of hours he grabbed his surfboard and "went to check the surf". Never saw him until the motor was running again. I drove the car for a few weeks before I let him have it back.
Mr. O, no criticism from me. You are a true Professional, and didn’t let your frustrations blind you to what needed to be done. There are a lot of people who would have walked away, but even though you were frustrated, you realized that there was one more thing to check, found the problem and fixed it. My hat is off you, and your Customer is probably glad that you took the time and effort to complete a difficult job. Well done, Sir!
I admire you for overcoming your pissy mood and fixing the problem. I know what you are talking about. I ran a tune up shop back in the early 80s. We had a gas station on the opposite corner that was mad because he claimed we were stealing his business. So he would run "tune up specials" that undercut our price. Only problem was he didn't replace all the parts that we did. Nor did he make sure there wasn't something else wrong with the vehicle before he did his tune up. I had a guy come into my shop that wanted me to straighten out what the other guy did and charge the other guy for it. I told him that any issue he had was between him and the guy that did the original work. If he wanted me to fix the problem I would do that but he was going to pay me, then it was up to him to get his money back form the other guy. Needless to say he wasn't happy but such is life.
I think we've all had pissy pants days. And you are absolutely right about needing to walk away sometimes. I've forced myself to continue and just made things worse. No shame in taking time to clear your head.
Any mechanic in any field of work, Aviation, Automotive, Marine, Locomotive, etc. has a pissy pants day from time to time. It’s what makes us who we are. Without those days, there wouldn’t be balance to what we do. Good job as always, Eric O!
Working at the dealership, I know EXACTLY how you feel. People assume we're the most expensive option (spoiler alert; we aren't) and therefore only bring their cars in once 1-3 shops have had a go at replacing parts and when the problem persists, they recommend going to the dealership because "they have a machine they will plug in and it will tell them exactly which part to replace" - most frustrating thing in the world.
If I was 23 hours closer South Main would be my first choice for repairs. As it is you are my first choice for auto repair videos. Thanks for the vids!
Glad you didn't "walk away." I understand how frustrating it is to work on electrical problems when dealing with a bunch of aftermarket add-ons. I purchased a used Ford Excursion that had a Viper alarm and remote start installed by one of the previous owners. I never got the Viper fob with the vehicle. After 12 years of no problems, the Viper decided to arm itself. Since I didn't have the fob, there was no way I could disarm it. I had to remove the battery just to keep it from going off every 3 minuets. My only choice was to remove it from way up under the dash. The thing was integrated into just about every system on the truck, door locks, head lights, dome light, ignition, starter, anti-theft RFID key. After disconnecting it, nothing worked anymore. I had to spend 3 days rewiring the truck to get everything working again. What a nightmare.
How about adding a little really thick dish soap(Dawn, ect)to the wires,and then maybe , just maybe the critters will chew, thusly make him barf out the soap and wont want to chew the wires anymore, ( i know that it will make animals barf(ask my dog when she tasted the dish soap she found on the floor), just a thought!
I’m the only tech at my shop even vaguely competent at electrical diagnostics and it’s all thanks to SMA. This week I repaired two rodent damaged transmission harnesses and everyone looked at me like I’m a genius. No way I’m telling someone to spend thousands on a trans job without checking the wires first. The heat has been taking a toll on my mood too. Hang in there!
Thanks for all you teach us Eric. I'm a DIY guy. I watch all your videos because I always learn something. So my ABS light came on on my F-250. It's a 2001 4x4 with the big 7.3. A few weeks ago I had bought an Autel MS906BT scanner. So from what I learned from watching you, I hooked up the scanner, ran diagnostics. I got some ABS codes related to the front left wheel speed sensor. I went to live data and graphed it. Zoomed it and went for a drive. The right sensor was tracking along with the rear but no left. So, I went and bought a sensor and replaced the front left. Bam.... ABS light was now off. Cleared all the codes and rescanned.... no codes. Thanks Eric, By golly, I can do it! YOU ARE A GREAT TEACHER.
I am not in the trades anymore, but a strategic lunch break was always my best friend when I was fighting something and getting frustrated. Usually came back with a new plan that worked well
I am proud of you. I don't think anyone would have faulted you for walking away. You came back and prevented the customer from getting another patch job instead of a proper repair. You are a great mechanic.
Mr. O. You are a fine auto tech and a nice person. I enjoy your vids and seeing your trouble shooting skills. I stopped by your shop, unannounced around lunch time a few years ago and you took a few minutes to say hello and chat. You show everyone your good days and the bad. Such is life.
Good fix Mr. O.. I was a Maintenance Manager for many years and had 12 mechanics reporting to me. Trust me when I tell you, I know what those pissy attitude days are like!! We have all been there and feel your pain!! Keep up the good work!!
No apology or reason needed Eric. You run a business, not a charity. You have to warranty your work, and that makes it hard when others have "tampered" with what you are working on. You are one of the best mechanics I watch on RUclips!
You do alot of electrical diagnostic, mostly sensors and some wire repair. It just amazing how fast you find the broken wire. I myself hate electrical shorts, cause to me their impossible to find. But your patience on electrical problems is amazing. Thanks for sharing.....
After watching you (and the lovely Mrs. O....let's be honest) for many years now, the difference is you know how to troubleshoot and (at least on video) you do the job right! That is all we as consumers ask. We don't know better than a mechanic but we do know there are very few mechanics that have a skill set like yours. And that is frustrating because repairs are expensive. Keep it going Dr. O - you give us hope!
Eric, between you and Ivan, you are the best auto techs out there, you percivere and diagnose problems without costing the client a ton of wasted money, thanks for the videos.
Anyone who has dealt with the public, no matter what field your in, hears you loud and clear Eric! You absolutely should not feel any remorse for walking away in situations where you are not comfortable dealing with all their poor maintenance choices! Thanks for being honest with us and always posting the good, the bad and the ugly! (Clint's music in the background)
Dude you are an awesome mechanic, I've said it before and I'll say it again....I love your approach to the repairs. I definitely tip my hat to you. Cheers!!
Don't worry about Mr. O, just wrapped up a GM wiring nightmare that took over 2 months, I get it and understand, your videos give us knowledge, which is all that matters, keep up the hard work Mr. O! The growth of your channel tells you your value
Sometimes it's amazing and I can see myself doing the very same thing. And they call a person a doctor for delivering a baby. What do they call a person that does the impossible? A mechanic! Never doubt and never give up. Mechanic!
I thought for an awful moment you were going to snip through your new repair wire when you went to trim off the zip ties. Then you repositioned the cutters and I was able to breathe again! Logical and effective as ever. Thank you
Hell, I have been repairing automobiles since the 1960's, my most recent experience having been owning a shop for twenty years. In that time, I have invented/coined hundreds of new NSFW words, with most of them being unintelligible to those who are not in the know. As with the Masons, some things are best when not revealed.
Your experience of recalling past problems in the area lead you to looking and finding the cause. This kind of skill is earned and cannot be taught. Well Done!!! When the shet gets too deep, take a drive, get some ice cream. Your sanity is worth more than anything ....period. Regards, thanks for sharing your work.
Eric I fully understand pissy pants, and agree that time away works wonders. That's why now that it's been in the 90's for the last 5 days hear I have put off a particularly ugly job here. You did great again Pal.
I love to see a worker with so much determination like yourself. Wish there were more workers like you today. People these days just give up to easy. Thanks for the encouraging videos.
I think the audio was fine with the fans running in the background. I don’t watch for movie level quality, I like the humor and wisdom of a shop owner who has some of the same struggles we do and appreciate the time and effort you take while trying to run a shop, support all kinds of crazy customers and everything else that’s involved.
I think you did a more than fair repair on this car for the money. There are many people that say they can repair cars. You are the real deal and your determination in getting it fixed says volumes. You are the ace in the hole, the clutch hitter.
You deserve a lot of credit for coming back and fixing the problem. I personally would never fault you for not wanting to deal with that amount of "sin"
It never ceases to amaze me the level of diagnostic’s you do to find problems. This isn’t taught in modern day schools unless you have an old school teacher.
Sounds like you have those bad days figured out! Everybody has them, step back, rub the cat, talk to Mrs O, get a cold drink and come back. Life’s too short to let insignificant STUFF bring you down. Your videos have taught me a lot about auto fixes. And your time videoing is very appreciated! Thanks E!
Fixing cars for a living can be infinitely frustrating. I appreciate you showing the diagnosing part of the work. I tend to get the call when the parts cannon has already been fired.
in my little world "word of mouth" has gotten around that I'm a decent mechanic and I'm cheap. Too cheap. And that is starting to bite me in the butt. I still watch you work and continue to learn, even if it's about attitudes and work ethics. Thanks for always being there Eric.
The same thing happened to a friend also a mechanic and people would come to him in distress about their cars, he would fix it for them very reasonably, then the next thing was can you wait until payday for payment and sometimes they never came back, he was owed thousands and only worked on his regular customers cars from then on, at least they paid him, and he was just telling me this morning that he’d been stroked again
In the same boat my friend. I do good work and I'm pretty inexpensive, didn't want to say cheap, lol. I've learned a lot from Mr. O and will continue to be the "go to guy. My suggestion? Get a second phone line and a few business cards. Keeps unknowns off my main phone and if that number rings, it's probably $$$. Good luck
@@FishFind3000. We do something similar at our environmental lab. We withhold reports until the bills are paid. Customers need those reports to satisfy governmental requirements so non-payment is not a big issue now.
Great job as always. Its all good, every one has bad days, and it has been hot as hell. I know I'm a heavy equipment field mechanic in South Jersey, and its been CRAZY HOT OUTSIDE 🔥.
The last section of your video rings too true. Always the last one to look at it. I had a old 1996 Volvo Olympian B10b yesterday, cutting out. The wiring to the fuel pump had been "repaired". The repair was cack, Blue connectors joined to 3 core & two lots of twin core in a engine bay with a bit of tape smeared round it. I done exactly the same as you held my nose & just put new heat shrink joints in & taped it up. Keep up the good work & videos
Like none of us have ever had a bad day. I understand and appreciate that you continued on and did a good job. Shows what type of man you are if we didn't pay attention to previous videos. In many years I have never known a mechanic to hop in their vehicle and go to the junk yard to get a part for a customer's vehicle repair. Hoping for you to have better days and thank you for your efforts, many times more than what I would do for viewers. Many other vloggers show the problem and don't worry if we can't see every single detail. I have spent a number of hours hanging around garages and have an imagination. Learned a lot from you, thanks.
We all have pissy pants days! It’s hot and crap happens I give A lot of encouragement for banging out videos for us.Rodent problem there is bad! Thank you for the entertainment, humor and jokes ! You are a funny guy! I laugh every video! Great job Mr. O! 👍🏻🥳
Eric - like a fine wine, the customers coming to you are saving the best for last!!! Only if they new to come to you first!! Keep up the honorable and fantastic work you perform for all of us!!!
Guys like you are a rare find, actually solving the problem long after others give up . Guys like you also teach their kids a good work ethic and make people say “ those kids have parents who raised them right” . Keep the course and keep showing everyone that someone still cares.
What you do on this repair adds to your legend. It also show your dedication to your work even you're tired--a sign of a great work ethic. As a teacher, know too that your fortitude carries to your children as well. All in all, they have a great role model and a great mechanic. Legend in my book. Thanks for the great video--another displaced rodent by Eric O!
If I lived near SMA you'd be the only shop I'd trust with our vehicles. Frankly I don't have the tools to do certain jobs and we still haven't found a fair priced shop that does quality work since we moved 2 years ago.
I've been turning wrenches professionally for 32 years in Maine so I get the whole "rust is a pain in the hoohoo"....
Having a pissy pants day from time to time is necessary to exist in this industry, Eric.
Thank you for your videos because I've learned a lot from you plus your humor\ sarcasm is priceless, my GUY !!!
You're a great guy and the type of mechanic that everyone wishes they had. Not all heroes wear capes, come wear caps
Eric, thank you for showing your frustrated side , and sharing your experiences good and bad. I work at a chicken plant in the garage. It seems like the equipment operators have contests to see how bad they can mess things up. That sends me off the deep end, because I really do try to take good care of the equipment. Be tough, we're the few the proud and the strong. Maybe a little crazy too. Thanks again Eric O I've learned alot from your videos.
i realy would like to see Eric wear a cap
Yeah! I'm considering shipping a car from Nebraska for Eric to work on
In the HVAC trade for 35 YRS. Retired. A friend of a friend who had a second cousin , ask me if I would give him a 4th opinion on replacing his whole A/C system. Since he was a friend to a friend. I went to his house. Condensing unit in good condition. Air handler in basement mechanical room in good condition. 2 companies and one individual told him he needed a new system. I checked it out. Just needed a 35/5
MFD Capacitor. And a Freon check. Also found low on refrigerant. Found small leak on capillary tube rubbing against coil door panel. Repaired, evacuated, recharged, and test. All o.k.. Ask how much he needed to pay me. Told him. 20 bucks for solder,gas,and oxygen. 30 bucks for refrigerant and that's it. His other quotes ranged from 7 grand to 10 grand. He gave me an envelope with 500 bucks.
He paid you 5-7% of what the other quotes were. You saved him.
Finding good people is hard. We had an issue with my sisters car where it just quit and then ran poorly. Codes said fuel pump voltage issue. Tow it to him, he started the car fine. Cleared the codes for a fresh freeze frame and it never did it again. He drove it home and back, around the block and multiple times ever hour or so. Never could get it to die again. He could have just said it needed a pump and module and $1K later… but he didn’t. He couldn’t find the issue and didn’t even charge for that time he had in it for diag. Cars still driving fine now and it’s been 1-2 weeks. Some freak thing.
There’s a reason we take all our cars to him. Cheaper then the dealer and better work.
Problem is not many people that can fix stuff anymore so the only option is to replace.
I see this all the time. A lot of competitors to me don't even carry R22 on their trucks anymore. If the system is low, they just tell the customer it needs to be replaced. They don't even bother trying to fix the leak. Easy money for my company.
@@416Burrito are you still in the trade. I retired 7 yrs ago when I was able to draw my pention. Haven't they made an R 22 direct drop in. Just curious. Haven't researched it. Since I don't do any work of any kind anymore.
@@mikeglasgow9618 MO99 (R438A) is the drop in replacement. Same story though. Most don't carry it, even though it's inexpensive. A lot of hack companies out there. Which sucks for the customer. But my company has been around for 40 years and we carry a good reputation, so we stay quite busy.
Everyone's last option? You would be my first option. At least you know you will always be in business as others can't seem to fix the elusive jobs. We appreciate you Eric.
Weed hopper.... your conscienchousness is a most beautiful thing to observe. Never stop persuing perfection in all that you do. You may not always feel appreciated, but you are. May your eyes stay sharp and your hands stay nimble. Thanks my friend
I am constantly amazed at how quickly you find broken wires. One of the reasons I keep keep putting "SMA" in the RUclips search bar.......
Hang in there Eric! I absolutely hear your frustration and don't blame you at all but just know, you have a ton of people that religiously follow you on YT (and don't phone you!) who have tremendous respect for how you do your job and frankly have zero desire to criticize how you connect wires, etc.
Thanks for your tenacity and getting videos cranked out for us even when you're swamped and frustrated with real work and real cars. We all appreciate it!
As an electrician for over 40 years I can say, Trust me, it ain't just on cars!! I ask folks everyday, Why didn't you call me first before it got all screwed up and it would've been better for everybody!" They don't listen in Tenn any better than in NY!!!
Really enjoy your videos!!
That's what separates the best mechanics from the average ones - perseverance, curiosity, & a knack for finding the problem. You're the MAN Mr. O!!!
Seriously I would drive the 800 miles or so to have this genius work on anything I own.
I learned a long time ago that perseverance is a key trait to have if you want to be really great as a technician. And every time you learn something that helps you in the future. I know it gets old, frustrating, and sometimes monotonous, but Eric, there is a drive within you to not be like everyone else. A perfectionist to a point but not OCD about it. My love was always being able to fix what others couldn't. I'm not overly crazy about cars, only been to a drag race twice in my life, but I made my career automotive, graduated from SIU and had a 30 year career with Ford Motor Company mostly in the technical side of the business. I have a twin post lift in my garage and I still love to work on cars and I'm 69 years old. I love your videos and can't wait for the next one. Thank you.
I don’t care how you do a repair. I’m just happy when I see a SMA video upload 🫡
Whenever you get frustrated, stop, walk away, and take a few minutes to consider everything that you have accomplished. You will realize that on the upward achievement trajectory you are on things will only get better. You are one of the best problem solvers I know.
Thanks I appreciate that very much
@@SouthMainAuto Sorry Eric but you forgot the WD-40 and the Brake clean . unless you used it off camera to get rid of the mouse nest wd 40 the mouse so he could be sucked up the vac tube and carb clean for fresh air to cover the smell of mouse pea .. I have worked on lawn mowers since I was about 9 years old ,, late 70's , I have removed a lot of nest ,, they can over heat a mower engine that is air cooled . but they make a mess of coil wires and the wire harness of a mower .. great video thumbs up
Mr. O, criticize you? Are you crazy? I watch all your videos for two reasons, one is your quick wit, love the way you tell it. Two, your ability to fix issues, like this one. One small wire hiding behind everything and BAM, you find and fix it. Keep up the great videos and never stop being you.
wow! something like 6 years of videos and you finally have a grouchy day? Man, I want my money back. Oh, right. You've been putting this out here for free and you're a human being. Seriously, I've always wondered how you can have such a good attitude. I'm 10x as salty for way less aggravation, so you let it out and we'll be here.
Sorry, what you call your being "in a mood" is sunshine, rainbows, and fuzzy kittens compared to my "normal." Your calmness never ceases to amaze me; I have never seen you throw even one tool.
Everyone has a “Moody Blues” day once in awhile. VICTORY!
Eric you are the king of wiring , I salute you Sir Eric! 👍
Back in my youth, one of my brothers took apart his entire Corvair engine trying to fix a massive oil leak. Needless to say he had no idea on how to fix it and put it back together. He asked me to "help" him reassemble the motor. Reluctantly I agreed and he showed me several large boxes of parts just thrown together. Bolts thrown in with parts that were totally unrelated. After a couple of hours he grabbed his surfboard and "went to check the surf". Never saw him until the motor was running again. I drove the car for a few weeks before I let him have it back.
Mr. O, no criticism from me. You are a true Professional, and didn’t let your frustrations blind you to what needed to be done. There are a lot of people who would have walked away, but even though you were frustrated, you realized that there was one more thing to check, found the problem and fixed it. My hat is off you, and your Customer is probably glad that you took the time and effort to complete a difficult job. Well done, Sir!
No negative comment needed. You fixed the other's f'up.. You done your job. Bless you for the great content.
I admire you for overcoming your pissy mood and fixing the problem. I know what you are talking about. I ran a tune up shop back in the early 80s. We had a gas station on the opposite corner that was mad because he claimed we were stealing his business. So he would run "tune up specials" that undercut our price. Only problem was he didn't replace all the parts that we did. Nor did he make sure there wasn't something else wrong with the vehicle before he did his tune up. I had a guy come into my shop that wanted me to straighten out what the other guy did and charge the other guy for it. I told him that any issue he had was between him and the guy that did the original work. If he wanted me to fix the problem I would do that but he was going to pay me, then it was up to him to get his money back form the other guy. Needless to say he wasn't happy but such is life.
Your not only a Great Mechanic but also great example of a loving husband and Dad.
I think we've all had pissy pants days. And you are absolutely right about needing to walk away sometimes. I've forced myself to continue and just made things worse. No shame in taking time to clear your head.
That's the first "Hey, it's that guy!" I've heard you say in a while. Classic!
Eric,
Great video and fix - thank you! Glad to see you un-pissy potted!!
SMA still #1
Paul (in MA)
Any mechanic in any field of work, Aviation, Automotive, Marine, Locomotive, etc. has a pissy pants day from time to time. It’s what makes us who we are. Without those days, there wouldn’t be balance to what we do. Good job as always, Eric O!
Working at the dealership, I know EXACTLY how you feel. People assume we're the most expensive option (spoiler alert; we aren't) and therefore only bring their cars in once 1-3 shops have had a go at replacing parts and when the problem persists, they recommend going to the dealership because "they have a machine they will plug in and it will tell them exactly which part to replace" - most frustrating thing in the world.
Your a master of finding and repairing damaged wires, the most difficult job for a mechanic. The fine art of troubleshooting. 👍
We all have our bad days. It’s part of being human. Love the videos and a big thumbs up from Ontario Canada.
So you had a bad day., You stepped back, collected yourself, and fix the problem. Making the customer happy hopfully. Sign of a good guy.
If I was working in that kind of heat there would be carnage! Bet practice across the board: Car fixed, customer happy and nobody died. Nice!!!
Thanks! BTW Mr. I bought the 3M DYI Headlight kit, amazing results . Can’t thank you enough for that one. Advance Auto $29, Amazon $13. Thanks again.
If I was 23 hours closer South Main would be my first choice for repairs. As it is you are my first choice for auto repair videos. Thanks for the vids!
It really boils down to this Eric. You’re human. You’re also the best mechanic out there, except it😊
Yeah and if you want to actually be correct, (in the word usage department), never except it, instead please just accept it! 🤣🤣
@@DarkFlamage Ya I was going to say, "who's It?"
Thank you for correcting my spelling. I am sure the message was graciously received.
Glad you didn't "walk away."
I understand how frustrating it is to work on electrical problems when dealing with a bunch of aftermarket add-ons. I purchased a used Ford Excursion that had a Viper alarm and remote start installed by one of the previous owners. I never got the Viper fob with the vehicle. After 12 years of no problems, the Viper decided to arm itself. Since I didn't have the fob, there was no way I could disarm it. I had to remove the battery just to keep it from going off every 3 minuets. My only choice was to remove it from way up under the dash. The thing was integrated into just about every system on the truck, door locks, head lights, dome light, ignition, starter, anti-theft RFID key. After disconnecting it, nothing worked anymore. I had to spend 3 days rewiring the truck to get everything working again. What a nightmare.
How about adding a little really thick dish soap(Dawn, ect)to the wires,and then maybe , just maybe the critters will chew, thusly make him barf out the soap and wont want to chew the wires anymore, ( i know that it will make animals barf(ask my dog when she tasted the dish soap she found on the floor), just a thought!
I’m the only tech at my shop even vaguely competent at electrical diagnostics and it’s all thanks to SMA. This week I repaired two rodent damaged transmission harnesses and everyone looked at me like I’m a genius. No way I’m telling someone to spend thousands on a trans job without checking the wires first.
The heat has been taking a toll on my mood too. Hang in there!
No criticism at all! You’re a very kind and considerate man! Customer won’t appreciate it but we know you did him a favor!
Thanks for all you teach us Eric. I'm a DIY guy. I watch all your videos because I always learn something. So my ABS light came on on my F-250. It's a 2001 4x4 with the big 7.3. A few weeks ago I had bought an Autel MS906BT scanner. So from what I learned from watching you, I hooked up the scanner, ran diagnostics. I got some ABS codes related to the front left wheel speed sensor. I went to live data and graphed it. Zoomed it and went for a drive. The right sensor was tracking along with the rear but no left. So, I went and bought a sensor and replaced the front left. Bam.... ABS light was now off. Cleared all the codes and rescanned.... no codes. Thanks Eric, By golly, I can do it! YOU ARE A GREAT TEACHER.
Wow, that Snap-on 90 degree stripper/crimper tool is the shizzles - gotta get me one!
Well done that man finding the broken wire. We are impressed.
I am not in the trades anymore, but a strategic lunch break was always my best friend when I was fighting something and getting frustrated. Usually came back with a new plan that worked well
Thank you for keeping it real. That's what we love about this channel. No BS
Frustration is learning, said my old drill sergeant! You just added a loyal customer I bet.
This is exactly the video content from you that I enjoy the most. 🤷♂️
I am proud of you. I don't think anyone would have faulted you for walking away. You came back and prevented the customer from getting another patch job instead of a proper repair. You are a great mechanic.
Mr. O. You are a fine auto tech and a nice person. I enjoy your vids and seeing your trouble shooting skills. I stopped by your shop, unannounced around lunch time a few years ago and you took a few minutes to say hello and chat. You show everyone your good days and the bad. Such is life.
Good fix Mr. O.. I was a Maintenance Manager for many years and had 12 mechanics reporting to me. Trust me when I tell you, I know what those pissy attitude days are like!! We have all been there and feel your pain!! Keep up the good work!!
No apology or reason needed Eric. You run a business, not a charity. You have to warranty your work, and that makes it hard when others have "tampered" with what you are working on. You are one of the best mechanics I watch on RUclips!
You do alot of electrical diagnostic, mostly sensors and some wire repair. It just amazing how fast you find the broken wire. I myself hate electrical shorts, cause to me their impossible to find. But your patience on electrical problems is amazing. Thanks for sharing.....
After watching you (and the lovely Mrs. O....let's be honest) for many years now, the difference is you know how to troubleshoot and (at least on video) you do the job right! That is all we as consumers ask. We don't know better than a mechanic but we do know there are very few mechanics that have a skill set like yours. And that is frustrating because repairs are expensive. Keep it going Dr. O - you give us hope!
Eric, between you and Ivan, you are the best auto techs out there, you percivere and diagnose problems without costing the client a ton of wasted money, thanks for the videos.
Try crimping the splice wire first. This will give a handle to hold the splice connector in the tight quarters.
That’s a great tip! I learned that one the hard way. I also use the solder joint helping hands to hold wires together when crimping in tight quarters.
300K subscribers, Eric O, would have never done the repair that way. But this is a real-world repair and a damn good one!
Have you heard the term, "A sucker for punishment"? Well, you got there and fixed it. Very, very well done!
Phil's a lucky guy to work with and learn from the GOAT 🐐💪
Anyone who has dealt with the public, no matter what field your in, hears you loud and clear Eric! You absolutely should not feel any remorse for walking away in situations where you are not comfortable dealing with all their poor maintenance choices! Thanks for being honest with us and always posting the good, the bad and the ugly! (Clint's music in the background)
Hang in there Eric, things are hot right now ,but it won't last. We are at the peak of the heat. Great fix, I knew you could do.
Dude you are an awesome mechanic, I've said it before and I'll say it again....I love your approach to the repairs. I definitely tip my hat to you. Cheers!!
I don’t know how you fix the stuff you show us! I don’t know how you show us the stuff you fix! Just freaking awesome!
Now that I've watched part II, YOU ARE STILL AWESOME!
Eric, you’re the man. Patience of a saint.
Don't worry about Mr. O, just wrapped up a GM wiring nightmare that took over 2 months, I get it and understand, your videos give us knowledge, which is all that matters, keep up the hard work Mr. O! The growth of your channel tells you your value
It was funny how the lift started running as you pushed the wire into the connector 👍🏻
Sometimes it's amazing and I can see myself doing the very same thing. And they call a person a doctor for delivering a baby. What do they call a person that does the impossible? A mechanic! Never doubt and never give up. Mechanic!
Technician
I thought for an awful moment you were going to snip through your new repair wire when you went to trim off the zip ties. Then you repositioned the cutters and I was able to breathe again! Logical and effective as ever. Thank you
Eric thanks for reminding us even good mechanics get “frustrated” and it’s ok to step back for a minute to clear the ol’ noodle and get back to it!
Hell, I have been repairing automobiles since the 1960's, my most recent experience having been owning a shop for twenty years. In that time, I have invented/coined hundreds of new NSFW words, with most of them being unintelligible to those who are not in the know. As with the Masons, some things are best when not revealed.
"Clear the ol' noodle." That's what deer season is for!
Your experience of recalling past problems in the area lead you to looking and finding the cause. This kind of skill is earned and cannot be taught. Well Done!!! When the shet gets too deep, take a drive, get some ice cream. Your sanity is worth more than anything ....period. Regards, thanks for sharing your work.
Eric I fully understand pissy pants, and agree that time away works wonders.
That's why now that it's been in the 90's for the last 5 days hear I have put off a particularly ugly job here.
You did great again Pal.
Good job, you have proved time and time again how good of a mechanic you are because you don't give up and usually end of fixing someone elses mess
you know Eric is in a better mood when he hears a horn and says...."Hey!, it's that guy!"
I love to see a worker with so much determination like yourself. Wish there were more workers like you today. People these days just give up to easy. Thanks for the encouraging videos.
I think the audio was fine with the fans running in the background. I don’t watch for movie level quality, I like the humor and wisdom of a shop owner who has some of the same struggles we do and appreciate the time and effort you take while trying to run a shop, support all kinds of crazy customers and everything else that’s involved.
I think you did a more than fair repair on this car for the money. There are many people that say they can repair cars. You are the real deal and your determination in getting it fixed says volumes. You are the ace in the hole, the clutch hitter.
You deserve a lot of credit for coming back and fixing the problem. I personally would never fault you for not wanting to deal with that amount of "sin"
It never ceases to amaze me the level of diagnostic’s you do to find problems.
This isn’t taught in modern day schools unless you have an old school teacher.
He's a broken wire whisperer
Sounds like you have those bad days figured out! Everybody has them, step back, rub the cat, talk to Mrs O, get a cold drink and come back. Life’s too short to let insignificant STUFF bring you down. Your videos have taught me a lot about auto fixes. And your time videoing is very appreciated! Thanks E!
Fixing cars for a living can be infinitely frustrating. I appreciate you showing the diagnosing part of the work. I tend to get the call when the parts cannon has already been fired.
in my little world "word of mouth" has gotten around that I'm a decent mechanic and I'm cheap. Too cheap. And that is starting to bite me in the butt. I still watch you work and continue to learn, even if it's about attitudes and work ethics. Thanks for always being there Eric.
The same thing happened to a friend also a mechanic and people would come to him in distress about their cars, he would fix it for them very reasonably, then the next thing was can you wait until payday for payment and sometimes they never came back, he was owed thousands and only worked on his regular customers cars from then on, at least they paid him, and he was just telling me this morning that he’d been stroked again
In the same boat my friend. I do good work and I'm pretty inexpensive, didn't want to say cheap, lol. I've learned a lot from Mr. O and will continue to be the "go to guy. My suggestion? Get a second phone line and a few business cards. Keeps unknowns off my main phone and if that number rings, it's probably $$$. Good luck
@@johnmehaffey9953 that’s why hold onto the keys. No payment no car. If they don’t have the money that’s what credit is for.
@@FishFind3000. We do something similar at our environmental lab. We withhold reports until the bills are paid. Customers need those reports to satisfy governmental requirements so non-payment is not a big issue now.
Take whatever price that you come up with....multiply by 2. And apply. People will pay for quality work , and you need to be paid !
even in your frustration you still want to fix that problem! thats what makes you so good at trouble shooting, I like it anyway, thanks for the Vlog
Great job as always. Its all good, every one has bad days, and it has been hot as hell. I know I'm a heavy equipment field mechanic in South Jersey, and its been CRAZY HOT OUTSIDE 🔥.
The last section of your video rings too true. Always the last one to look at it. I had a old 1996 Volvo Olympian B10b yesterday, cutting out. The wiring to the fuel pump had been "repaired". The repair was cack, Blue connectors joined to 3 core & two lots of twin core in a engine bay with a bit of tape smeared round it. I done exactly the same as you held my nose & just put new heat shrink joints in & taped it up. Keep up the good work & videos
Great job. Super patience on someo else's mess. Lucky find on that mouse nest to lead to the bad power wire. Must have small hands, big brain.
Like none of us have ever had a bad day. I understand and appreciate that you continued on and did a good job. Shows what type of man you are if we didn't pay attention to previous videos. In many years I have never known a mechanic to hop in their vehicle and go to the junk yard to get a part for a customer's vehicle repair. Hoping for you to have better days and thank you for your efforts, many times more than what I would do for viewers. Many other vloggers show the problem and don't worry if we can't see every single detail. I have spent a number of hours hanging around garages and have an imagination. Learned a lot from you, thanks.
Glad u stuck with it and figured it out for the customer. I was a tech for 12 yrs. I feel ur pain I don't miss it at all lol
We all have pissy pants days!
It’s hot and crap happens I give
A lot of encouragement for banging out videos for us.Rodent problem there is bad! Thank you for the entertainment, humor and jokes ! You are a funny guy!
I laugh every video! Great job Mr. O! 👍🏻🥳
Glad you stuck it out and fixed it! Cause not only did we get a part II, I bet you feel better now that it's fixed and you help the customer out.
Wish you lived near me, you're such an honest mechanic, and an honest man. God bless brother keep up the good work.
Eric - like a fine wine, the customers coming to you are saving the best for last!!! Only if they new to come to you first!! Keep up the honorable and fantastic work you perform for all of us!!!
I'm glad you stuck to this one. You found the issue and fixed it. Myself, I would feel great.
It's OK mate. Everyone has days like that. The fact that you stuck at it is what makes you a great mechanic. Catch you on your next video.
Thanks for sticking it out. Appreciated.
Good job on sticking with it. These jobs can get frustrating.
Great fix and patience Eric...👍
Guys like you are a rare find, actually solving the problem long after others give up . Guys like you also teach their kids a good work ethic and make people say “ those kids have parents who raised them right” . Keep the course and keep showing everyone that someone still cares.
You done very well everybody has days like that good show
What you do on this repair adds to your legend. It also show your dedication to your work even you're tired--a sign of a great work ethic. As a teacher, know too that your fortitude carries to your children as well. All in all, they have a great role model and a great mechanic. Legend in my book. Thanks for the great video--another displaced rodent by Eric O!
If I lived near SMA you'd be the only shop I'd trust with our vehicles. Frankly I don't have the tools to do certain jobs and we still haven't found a fair priced shop that does quality work since we moved 2 years ago.
Very nice job Eric. You are so good at those difficult electrical problems. Glad you got this one fixed for the guy. 👍👍