More to the point is that we’ve all seen instances where Mr. O. goes out of his way to soften the blow on the repair bill. How many times has he taken the time to go to the junkyard to save the customer a few bucks? It takes time to go there and look around, and actually salvage the part. This takes time away from the next repair. I’d say that he is more than fair.
A mechanic mate adds a "workshop materials" charge to the invoice. It's for, in this video, the MAF sensor cleaner. He tucks that money aside for anything needed for his craft.
As a 20 year veteran of the Automotive repair industry, I can say the South Main Auto Repair channel has to be my favorite channel on UA-cam. Love this channel.
Some wrenches may opt to replace the part instead of cleaning it...old part vs new part...neither is wrong. Erics way could still lead to a problem MAF down the road because of age of the electrical part. Ive done it both ways at my shop depending on my customers budget! Shop owner 36 year master tech!
@@majwor3763 yes on both really depending on the part being used to replace the said MAF with a aftermarket one that may fail in a year which I've had happen with multiple duralast maf sensors including the one that was in my 02 blazer Xtreme which I tried cleaning and had to replace after putting a back probe on the sensing line and finding it was not using the full 5 volt reference that telling me it's bleeding to ground the maf sensor had a manufacturer date for 2019 it died early 2020 (so 6 months)
Depends on how much the customer is willing to part with to fix the problem... Maybe the customer wants to sell his vehicle next week, or keep it another 10 years... Longevity; The longer you want it to stay fixed, the more you'll pay... A new air filter and a clean-out of the air duct would make sense...
I can't imagine why anyone would feel you shouldn't charge for this and a 1hr minimum is quite fair. You do excellent work I wish we had a garage around here like yours!!
@@craigsmith8217 $75 per hour that's cheap when I left the business about 7yrs now last shop I worked for $125 per hour for cars 150 for truck when I first got started back In the early 90s rate was $58 per hour, CT tri-state area
@@who919me That's actually a deal for $150.. He could have charged $150 for simply diagnosing it, and then another $150 for the repair/ or parts swap if they wanted to get a new one. That's what a diagnosis guy will do when he's working for another shop (like Ivan does sometimes at Pine Hollow). As soon as you find that issue, you move on to the next car - and simply tell the owner what you found. The repair costs extra.
I agree. This customer got a great deal by paying for an hour. Many places out there would have just started replacing a bunch of parts which would cost a lot more. Great video!!!
I expect my mechanic to charge for a diag but if he doesnt think the part in question needs to be fixed yet and its fine to drive he doesnt charge anything. If he finds something like a serp belt or whatever he just does it for price of parts. Its all about having a reliable mechanic that has good old school values and im blessed to not deal with mechanics that go straight to parts placing
I work as a mechanic, and if I charge for a repair or not, depends on the case. If it was the main complaint, I charge, if it was something I discovered on the way, and it's a minor repair, I probably won't. If I don't, I write it down so that the customer feel they get a good deal on the main problem.
A giant ship engine failed. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a young. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom. Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars. “What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!” So they wrote the old man a note saying, “Please send us an itemized bill. The man sent a bill that read: Tapping with a hammer………………….. $ 2.00 Knowing where to tap…………………….. $ 9,998.00 Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort makes all the difference!
@@Hotecce1 that is good one...i do hvac work and i got a call from a customer no heat...this guy was a heart surgeon out of mass general in boston....i walked in put new batteries in the digital thermostat and fired it up....the guy was falling all over himself apologizing for being so stupid and wasting my time lol...we had a good laugh..he understood i had to charge my minimum service call charge.
Most people don't understand that the equipment that we use is quite expensive and has to be constantly updated not to mention the facility and other tools it takes to repair vehicles. What you do is honest and the repairs are verified. Keep up the awesome work!!!!
When I was doing repair, we were never allowed to charge for diagnosing. I was always upset over this as I never got paid to bring the car in, clean off the snow, diagnose the car, and then not able to get paid for it. I totally agree that your time is worth every penny you get for it. A doctor who diagnoses your problem/issue gets paid, why not you.
Absolutely nothing unfair about charging for your time..if the customer had the knowledge they would have done it themselves and not brought the car to you.
@@hallcrash there are small scanner/or "code readers" for DIYers, Autel makes a few, That are cheap, 200ish, but not bi-directional control..you can get PIDs, then Autel Makes more expensive for techs.
@@hallcrash actually the Snap-On scanner are uses is over $10,000 and they come out with a recent model that I believe is over $20,000 so yeah you got to pay for it somehow
No, this diagnosis cannot be done with a $100 scan tool, or this highly trained mechanic would be using it. And even if it were true, owners just spent 20 or 30 or 40 thousand dollars on a car or truck, they couldn't include a $100 scanner?
Mr. O you deserve every penny that you charge. You found the problem in no time with a accurate diagnosis. It could have gone a lot worse if he took it to someone else.
I'd tell him to just throw it in the garbage can and get an original one :) It does not seem it's a weekend car which they use from time to time, but a daily rider/work truck and a sport filter doesn't make any sense. These cars (I had the 3V 5.4L, sold it at 240k miles running good) need a lot of maintenance without a 'sport' filter, I wouldn't add one to cause more problems...
@@banzay1 Those are what I call a "hot air intake". They actually lose power vs the stock one because they are funneling hot under-hood air into the engine
@@tonyv7660 - Did you see the dust/dirt on that engine ? What people do not understand about K&N filters is that they actually trap dust/dirt BETTER than paper filters. This means they CLOG much faster than paper filter and REQUIRE MORE FREQUENTLY CLEANING !
Absolutely nothing unfair about charging for services rendered. You're the one who posses the EXPENSIVE diagnostic equipment and the knowledge how to use it.
Nothing stopping the owner from spending an hour doing his own research too. That is certainly DIY territory. And he would have to spend $10 for a can of cleaner too.
It's awesome of you to charge him for that as you well deserve the money. Almost everyone else would charge for a new Sensor and not even talk cleaning it . Keep up the amazing work. If I ever break down out of town I hope I find someone like you. LOVE THE HONEST WORK!!!!! YOU'RE ANALYZING!!!!!!
Most shops would replace the MAF and charge book labor for doing it, plus the one hour minimum for diagnostics rather than cleaning the existing MAF and only charging the one hour minimum. Eric is fair and treats his customers right. If I lived in his area I'd definitely take my vehicle to his shop for service.
Just like an electrician coming to a house and resetting a breaker. Done it too many times ( I even ask first to try to save the fee.) Unfortunately if you can't do it yourself, you owe the experienced technician for their time. Well done Eric!
Dale Turnley that happened to my friend. He look at the breaker but never checked it. Plumber came out and checked it by flipping it off and on. BOOM! pumps working again. Still had to pay... More recently, he tried to fix his ac unit. Replaced the contractor and capacitor. Neither fixed it. Was a broken wire...
However, knowing why the breaker tripped is important, too. Odds are it is getting "tender" - tripping at too low a current. When breakers reach 20 years or so and trip for no obvious reason it is a good idea to shotgun it out. Depending on what is on the circuit (freezer, maybe?) you can wait for the second time.
Great video! To me, it points out a truth, that if a vehicle is in good condition, any poblems that occur usually have a simple remedy, but finding it is most of the battle. That is where we need your knowledge and expertise.
Yes it does work . I did clean my air flow sensor with some crc carb cleaner took away my issues . fixes air sensor problems fast .Ive taken alot technican courses too.Watch you tackle these jobs is inspiring to us all . Thank you for doing what you do .Being honest and getting paid for it.
Good video! You get paid for what you know, not how long it took. Most would have replaced the MAF. The customer was lucky to have you work on his hotrod Ford. Happy Father's day.
Seems like very few shops ever try to clean MAP sensors anymore. Why buy a new part when the original can be cleaned? That's the society we live in today. Maybe if the customer cleaned his air filter more often, he wouldn't of had this problem in the first place. Everyone of these K & N fans seem to forget the maintenance of those filters is a lot more than a regular paper air filter. Great video.
By the time you take it out, clean it, dry it, reinstall it is probably more labor than just replacing. And replacing will probably last longer than reusing one that has been cleaned. So maybe the difference is doing it yourself with zero labor cost and having shop labor do it.
I have the same truck. My scan tool shows MASF (sensor 1) at 0.04 lbs. and (sensor 2) shows voltage which was very responsive to throttle variations. Scan tool used is an AUTEL MK808BT. As always Eric, another great show. For some it was a no brainer and for some it’s a eye opener, you never know what a lot of viewers need to see on Y.T. University .
Thanks for Including the Info about what data you should be seeing at the same time as data you are seeing. This is very helpful in the learning process. I'd like to also compliment you on adding comments about why things cause issues and the differences in the the way different auto brands differ. Videos like this really help aspiring th Techs to benefit from your prior experiences. I wish you would consider putting together a premium channel for us regular dudes. I say this because out of all the UA-cam auto teachers ...its you I can understand the best....thanks for what you're doing!
It's when they charge and DON'T fix it that's the problem. Like when you get cars from other shops, no doubt those hapless owners were charged for all the labor and the parts they fruitlessly shot at the vehicle. There's no need to have to explain yourself for charging when you HAVE actually fixed the problem. Good on ya Eric 👌
Yup, and i've been to what many folks would consider the worst franchise joints (nearby spots on a day off) with problems they couldn't figure out , and been sent on my way with "we don't know what it is, you don't owe us anything". So yeah, at least they had the decency to accept defeat instead of firing the parts cannon - that I can do myself.
I know I am late commenting however I agree with most of the comments here. My grandfather turned wrenches in the 40's - 70's (told me he had to make his own tools over the years). I've been hurt $$-wise by franchise owners in the past. Find a person you can trust, like this fellow, and there are no problems. It is very hard to find trust like this. Thank you.
If anyone asks you why did you charge them for an hour if you fixed it in 10 minutes just say that it took you x years to learn how to fix it in 10 minutes.
That's when you explain to them that mechanics work at a flat rate. I remembered at some of the dealership I worked for we would leave the car in the shop or park it way in the back of the building on customer who Couldn't Understand Normal Thinking aka the C. U. N. T
Yet it takes more than 10 minutes. How long to get all the tools and the MAF cleaner and then verify the fix. Video was almost 30 minutes and we know there was stuff done off camera before and after. As I've said in other comments, I'd rather pay the hour diag than pay someone just shooting the parts cannon at the car hoping to fix it.
If those don't think other people's service doesn't worth a dime shouldn't take the to them at the first place. Unfortunately those lousy customers want to get paid for the service they supplies at their own work place.
Eric: I've been in the automotive technical field for a long time. (28 years with Ford Motor Company) You are a diagnostician and not a mechanic who is a parts replacer. People pay you for what you know, not for how long it takes. You verify and verify some more and then make a call on what is wrong. This saves customers money every time vs a parts replacer. Keep up the great work and I enjoy your videos as I learn new things right along with you.
Its a shame David. we called a ford dealership needing a part number for a carb kit on a 86 f150, we also needed the fast idle kick down rod, the tech kept searching for it under fuel injection parts and said (surprise, surprise) there is no fast idle kick down rod on fuel injected motors. we explained again that the truck was not fuel injected and he responded with, "then it cant get fuel to the motor. how does it run?" this was in 2007...ive lost faith in the future generations after that interaction.
The comment at the end about getting paid really resonated with me. Why is it that some customers expect to get a repair like this for free? I get sick of explaining it! Anyway, this was a perfect example of understanding how the system works and how to interpret the data, and it was done efficiently. Good work 👍
I just watched your video randomly as it came up automatically after something else. I have absolutely no need to know anything about this topic (or up until I have this problem with one of my vehicles anyway), but thought you'd like to know just for "grins and giggles" I watched the entire video because you seem to be an interesting fella and kept the "tutorial" fun. I like learning random stuff totally unrelated to my day job and interests- good for the brain. Win-win! Now I can't wait to throw my new-found knowledge of MAF sensor issues into a conversation. A guy could even use brake cleaner, but...
Who do they think they are, the Beatles? You don't get paid royalties for what you did in the past. Your experience may keep customers coming in the door, but that's it. Sounds like Creative Fleecing of customers, i.e. Bullshit.
Thank you for keeping your viewers informed - a young person may have avoided a detour in their path to becoming a weather person by signing up for a gynecology program!
I'm going to tell you a secret. MAF Cleaner is the same as electrical parts cleaner, and carb cleaner is the same as brake cleaner. Also, FORD carb cleaner is safe for MAF as well.
@@loktom4068 what about at least 90% ISO Alcohol? Less water would be faster drying/evaporation. If the ISO was propelled in a continuous blast, contacting foreign detritus on the sensor, inertia and rapid evap would carry more away rather than clinging or pooling on the sensor, wouldn't it? Or is that higher percentage ISO damaging the device somehow? I have a 2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0 Vulcan with 135k and lots of problems are rising.
superb video, i currently own a ford ranger with out of whack fuel trims, due to having to now care for my mum with her cancer i cant afford to pay a mechanic to sort it out for me, being self employed and not worked in 5 months, yup savings have now gone, i have bought a scan tool cleaned the MAF sensor and all trims are good, all thanks to watching this video. thanks a lot.
My brother who is an architect talks to other people at the gym he goes to.The other gym members includes an accountant, lawyer and a doctor that he talks to. They exchange free help within their respective area of expertise when at the gym. It's a give and take situation. Off course my brother gives out free advice when they have questions about construction.
I learned the importance of cleaning the MAF sensor. Here in California my 96 Impala SS was randomly throwing a CEL code that said the idle speed is too high. I couldn't see anything unusual in the tach. I replaced the Idle Air bypass valve. The CEL returned a few days later. I cleaned the throttle body. The CEL returned a few days later. I found a leaky vacuum hose and fixed it. The CEL returned a few days later. Then, as a "hail Mary", I cleaned the MAF sensor even though visually it looked fine. Haven't seen another CEL since then. My car passed the smog test with flying colors!
Watched this episode again today, 8/17/20. The bit at 22 minutes about jump starting the jaguar for the lady in the hospital parking lot made the second viewing worth the trip.
Why wouldn’t you charge them? It’s your job and you do excellent work. Besides, you and your family likes to eat, like everyone else, so the job puts food on the table! Great video as always!
Of course you charge! You have overhead, years of experience, diagnostic tools, mechanical tools etc. Charity is your discretion. You don't get paid for just what you do but for your knowledge and ability.
One hour diag fee is unbelievably reasonable. I mean, you actually diagnosed the problem and then repaired it. If anything I'd say thats too reasonable! lol Keep up the great work!
This is the one and only channel to watch on fixing different things on different cars it's the number one channel it's the bottom line to it this guy's really good and he's just a normal working man that does things the right way or tries his best to do things the right way and normally they come out perfect bottom line the best channel to pay attention to in my book thanks
Excellent Video.I have a 2006 F-150 with the 4.6.I have my sons simple OBD reader.I got rid of the 303 code by replacing the injector.That worked for a few days before i got another check engine light.This one is 171.After watching your Video,i'll go and clean the MAF sensor when the Truck gets back.Thanks again. Well Explained.
I've ran K&N and still run them in my vehicles. Every single one of them. Never had a single issue, MAFs and TBs are always pristine. I do clean TBs from time to time if I have to remove intake when I work on the cars. I don't soak the filters in tons of oil and give em 24 hours to set/dry. Most of the issues I find are related to poor installation practices or poor maintenance.
Just wanted to say because of watching several of your videos it gave me the courage to pull the head off my car to replace the head gasket as well as the rest of the upper engine gaskets, water pump, and everything else I can do and get to while the head is out of the car. All the local shops were quoting $1200-1800 to do just the head gasket, umm no LOL. So I'm just about 1/2 way through, its all taken apart, have to clean all the mating gasket surfaces off, get the new gaskets put on and get it all back together, so hopefully next weekend I'll get it all back together. Just so happens its the first time taking anything like this apart on a vehicle. I've done a couple of small engine head gaskets in the past, and figured well this is just a small engine x4 LOL. Thanks for all your wisdom and giving me the confidence I can do this too. So much money saved. Got the gasket set online at Rockauto for $20 for all the upper engine gaskets, and I had to buy a 17mm wrench and socket which I think was about $15 so I have $35 into this repair...much, much easier of a bill to swallow than the $1200-1800 that the shops wanted, and I am betting they wouldn't have done anything else, maybe would have replaced the intake & exhaust manifold gaskets but maybe not...and I highly doubt they'd be doing the water pump which added another $25 to the bill so $60 total, with all Felpro gaskets. So hopefully it runs after I get it put back together HAHA!!!! Don't see why it wouldn't, it was running when I parked it last month due to the signs of a blown head gasket, and luckily I paid attention to the signs and immediately quit driving it and just parked it till I could and felt like working on it or finding someone to work on it. I figured since it was a blown head gasket its days were numbered anyways, and for the $20 gasket kit, a couple tools and a water pump all for $60 its well worth the time and effort if it runs afterwards, if not lesson learned that I am NOT a mechanic HAHA!!
Eric, great job as always. If I may, I wanted to add a few things based off the video and a few comments below. 1. This was a great training opportunity as you showed the various MAF/BARO & FT changes after the BARO PID updated (yes, based off TPS/MAF..not MAP like most :) ). It's important to see the the TOTAL FT's are not only based off the MAF/O2 relationship, but this also proves the BARO influence (see on the FINAL numbers). 2. I've seen below and in my classes where techs/DIY'rs think cleaning a MAF is as good as replacing with a NEW (not reman/rebuilt) MAF. In some cases you can get close to NEW performance. However, many times you cannot. MAF plays not only an important role in FT, but also timing, EGR and transmission EPC (Electronic Pressure Control) performance/operation. Not to mention MAF output characteristics are not linear, there can be areas of airflow that under/over report from a cleaned MAF. Less likely with a NEW MAF. So, for a shop...that has to warranty a repair and wants to make sure timing, EGR, transmission and any other monitor/functions stay within specs.... a new one may be the best answer. Thanks for sharing and hope my info above might help some reading the comments.
its funny most of todays new "mechanics" dont know the difference in a maf and a map sensor. also we have come to the point where some of todays dealership techs think a carb is just a nutrient measurement in foods.
Great Job. You have invested in tools, learned to use them effectively, and have accumulated vast real word experience. Your are Skilled Trades. You are being paid for your work and your expertise. More than Fair. You know you could parley your performance into a much better gig, because You have the perfect combination. The soothing toned voice and a natural delivery. It's possible, but you like fixing things too much. I can tell. I'm an Electrician on my 50th year in the trades. I'm compelled to fix things. I don't let no job beat me! Its fun and Personally rewarding. I really enjoy your video's. God Bless You and your Family.
You only charged them a one hour diagnostic fee? I'd say that's mighty generous---many shops would've tacked on extras like "R/R MAF sensor", "MAF sensor cleaning", etc
Great video! Totally fair for charging for your time. People need to learn they are paying for your experience and investment in tools. Just because you're efficient doesn't mean your labour value goes down.
Reminds me of a joke. A chief engineer on a ship couldn't find a problem on one of the engines. After all engineers and motormen couldn't find it, they bring a guy from the shore. This guy, only brings a small hammer with him, hears the engine, knocks a couple of times on a pump's valve and BAM! everything is working again. Then comes the bill: 5000$. The chief engineer gets crazy: "you only spent 5 min working and you want this amount?". The guy responds: "yes, but the time I spend in college, in specialty classes, learning where to knock, that is worth the money!", Something like that was in Mr. O's case too :)
Your time is no different than anyone else's time in a given field. To be sure, you are not being paid strictly for the resolution of the problem, but rather for your expertise (i.e., being able to determine what to diagnose). In other words, you are worth what you charge because you bring to the job all of your prior years of experience that leads you to such things as little bugs or seeds in MAF sensors. The resolution of the problem completes the transaction. You are wise to have a minimum of one hour fee. There are only so many hours in a day in which to cover overhead, taxes, and then make a living. You would have to stop doing sub-hour work in order to survive.
You're worth more than you charge. Guys like you always are. Had a friend look at my Charger front end today. His diagnosis - sway bar bushings shot. Cost me $20.00. He didn't charge me for a linkage part that would be well over $100.00.
In my shop we've had people come in for a diagnostic and then decline the repair, then they throw a fit when they have to pay for the diag "you didn't even do anything!" or "i knew that's what it was already!" and then people who agree to pay for something then complain why it costs so much once the work is done.
I think most shops have a flat fee and then if extra time is required, they are called to approve additional diag time as needed. It takes more time like this but I think it avoids surprises.
Considering the cost of the parts cannon repair shops, your work is much more valuable than theirs and saves the customer piles of cash as well as actually fixing the problem. That to me is easily worth the cost.
Putting that scanner in the SUV over doubled the value of that vehicle. People think that the $200 scanner is as good as a professional scanner never have operated a real scanner. Comparing the two is like saying a Honda with a fart can is as powerful as a Bugatia
People comment on anyone else service doesn't worth the $ should do it themselves. Stop wasting other people's time. Yet when these same person goes to work thinks his or her work worth a lot more than they were.
@@michaelwilkening8542 I always get a laugh out of those noisy little $h!ts... When my '02 Subaru WRX was brand new (the first year they were available in America), I used to get a lot of them wanting to race. Since it was still under 10k miles, I decided not to, but a year later (once it was broken in), no one was interested anymore! 😄 They may not be the greatest dragsters, but they turn any mountain road into your own, personal roller coaster... 😅
I'm a firm believer! I cleaned my 2003 Avalanche and 2005 Gran Prix and both had a very significant improvement. I have to admit that at first when I seen the elements, I thought this is probably BS. The results are undeniable.
I was at a freight auction and there were some sooty pallets from a truck fire there and I bought a whole pallet of automotive chemicals for $44, I had never heard of Fluid Film and now I will use it for life, it works great, but it might be a while before I have to buy more, there was 200+ cans of Fluid Film on the pallet, plus 40 3/4 gallon cans of Berryman Carb Cleaner and 150 cans of brake cleaner. I am set for life. Boxes were sooty, but the cans were perfect. I like that it is delayed viscosity also so it will works its way into tight places then film up for long term lubrication.
I live here in Knoxville, Tennessee. And it don’t even matter if you’re sent to the dealer with a fairly new vehicle, nobody knows anything when it comes to diagnose the problem. You’re a great mechanic Eric I believe is your name. I wish we had a few in Knoxville Tennessee. I’ve got a problem with my truck right now.. Dennis
YEA PEOPLE...HE'S RUNNING A BUSINESS...NOT A CHARITY.
Man gotta eat...
More to the point is that we’ve all seen instances where Mr. O. goes out of his way to soften the blow on the repair bill. How many times has he taken the time to go to the junkyard to save the customer a few bucks? It takes time to go there and look around, and actually salvage the part. This takes time away from the next repair. I’d say that he is more than fair.
@@brianburns7211 YEP
A mechanic mate adds a "workshop materials" charge to the invoice. It's for, in this video, the MAF sensor cleaner. He tucks that money aside for anything needed for his craft.
And a one person ice cream disposal service that needs soft serve to run. AND CREAM AIN'T FREE FOLKS!
As a 20 year veteran of the Automotive repair industry, I can say the South Main Auto Repair channel has to be my favorite channel on UA-cam. Love this channel.
That air filter looked filthy? or ?
Hey brother, I just wanted to let you know I have a lot of Respect for you! And I have learned a lot from your Chanel. Thanks awesome job!
I totally agree!!
Next to Scotty Kilmer.
A lot of mechanics would try and sell a MAF sensor but Mr O run his shop the right way. Good job sir!! Much respect!!
Some wrenches may opt to replace the part instead of cleaning it...old part vs new part...neither is wrong. Erics way could still lead to a problem MAF down the road because of age of the electrical part. Ive done it both ways at my shop depending on my customers budget! Shop owner 36 year master tech!
@@majwor3763 except he should have taken duct and filter off and cleaned so as not to re-contaminate the sensor.
@@billmccall4663 Cleaning a dirty air filter housing and replacing a dirty air filter would be the norm for this srevice at a shop!
@@majwor3763 yes on both really depending on the part being used to replace the said MAF with a aftermarket one that may fail in a year which I've had happen with multiple duralast maf sensors including the one that was in my 02 blazer Xtreme which I tried cleaning and had to replace after putting a back probe on the sensing line and finding it was not using the full 5 volt reference that telling me it's bleeding to ground the maf sensor had a manufacturer date for 2019 it died early 2020 (so 6 months)
Depends on how much the customer is willing to part with to fix the problem...
Maybe the customer wants to sell his vehicle next week, or keep it another 10 years...
Longevity; The longer you want it to stay fixed, the more you'll pay...
A new air filter and a clean-out of the air duct would make sense...
I can't imagine why anyone would feel you shouldn't charge for this and a 1hr minimum is quite fair. You do excellent work I wish we had a garage around here like yours!!
That's sounds fair you should get paid for the work you do!
Someone has to buy your groceries and tools, and pay the light bill. In this part of the country it takes about $75 per hour to survive.
@@craigsmith8217 $75 per hour that's cheap when I left the business about 7yrs now last shop I worked for $125 per hour for cars 150 for truck when I first got started back In the early 90s rate was $58 per hour, CT tri-state area
@@who919me That's actually a deal for $150.. He could have charged $150 for simply diagnosing it, and then another $150 for the repair/ or parts swap if they wanted to get a new one. That's what a diagnosis guy will do when he's working for another shop (like Ivan does sometimes at Pine Hollow). As soon as you find that issue, you move on to the next car - and simply tell the owner what you found. The repair costs extra.
A lesson from a long time ago. Never let yourself be penalized for being good at what you do.
I say just being charged the diag fee was a bargain. Places near me would've thrown parts at it.
Stand clear! I'm gonna fire that parts cannon!
I agree. This customer got a great deal by paying for an hour. Many places out there would have just started replacing a bunch of parts which would cost a lot more. Great video!!!
I expect my mechanic to charge for a diag but if he doesnt think the part in question needs to be fixed yet and its fine to drive he doesnt charge anything. If he finds something like a serp belt or whatever he just does it for price of parts. Its all about having a reliable mechanic that has good old school values and im blessed to not deal with mechanics that go straight to parts placing
@@Attachments. If you expect a charge and he charges nothing...then pay him anyway.
I work as a mechanic, and if I charge for a repair or not, depends on the case.
If it was the main complaint, I charge, if it was something I discovered on the way, and it's a minor repair, I probably won't.
If I don't, I write it down so that the customer feel they get a good deal on the main problem.
“You’re not paying for 20 mins of work, you’re paying for 20 years of experience”
A giant ship engine failed. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.
Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a young. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.
Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!
A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.
“What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”
So they wrote the old man a note saying, “Please send us an itemized bill.
The man sent a bill that read:
Tapping with a hammer………………….. $ 2.00
Knowing where to tap…………………….. $ 9,998.00
Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort makes all the difference!
@@Hotecce1 that is good one...i do hvac work and i got a call from a customer no heat...this guy was a heart surgeon out of mass general in boston....i walked in put new batteries in the digital thermostat and fired it up....the guy was falling all over himself apologizing for being so stupid and wasting my time lol...we had a good laugh..he understood i had to charge my minimum service call charge.
Ford likes to reset keep alive memory to relearn fuel trims. Ford 🙄🤣
@@Hotecce1 So you are saying I should use a hammer on my Mass Air Flow Sensor?
@@tommak6516 if you know where to tap.
A thank you and a job well done does not pay the bills. Cold hard cash does.
Most people don't understand that the equipment that we use is quite expensive and has to be constantly updated not to mention the facility and other tools it takes to repair vehicles. What you do is honest and the repairs are verified. Keep up the awesome work!!!!
It's not about cleaning out the MAF, it's knowing to look there in the first place. That's why you get paid.
Just Like The Gynecologist .
Looking is one thing .
Diagnosis Is Another .
Knowing How To Use The Appropriate Tools , PriceLess .
When I was doing repair, we were never allowed to charge for diagnosing. I was always upset over this as I never got paid to bring the car in, clean off the snow, diagnose the car, and then not able to get paid for it. I totally agree that your time is worth every penny you get for it. A doctor who diagnoses your problem/issue gets paid, why not you.
Cause your just a simp .. now get busy so you won't get paid 😂
Not being paid to diagnose? Thats criminal.
I'm sure that the company got paid for the time. If you're not getting paid, then leave that stinking job. You were stupid.
I hope you where at least getting paid a hourly wage while you were diagnosing the cars.
I swear sometimes people bring their car in just to have the snow melted 😅
Absolutely nothing unfair about charging for your time..if the customer had the knowledge they would have done it themselves and not brought the car to you.
Meh, the scan data should be freely available so owners can diagnose problems without spending $1,000+ dollers on a Snap-on tool.
@@hallcrash there are small scanner/or "code readers" for DIYers, Autel makes a few, That are cheap, 200ish, but not bi-directional control..you can get PIDs, then Autel Makes more expensive for techs.
@@hallcrash actually the Snap-On scanner are uses is over $10,000 and they come out with a recent model that I believe is over $20,000 so yeah you got to pay for it somehow
@@hallcrash This diagnosis could be done with a generic OBD-II scan tool or Bluetooth dongle costing under $100.
No, this diagnosis cannot be done with a $100 scan tool, or this highly trained mechanic would be using it. And even if it were true, owners just spent 20 or 30 or 40 thousand dollars on a car or truck, they couldn't include a $100 scanner?
Mr. O you deserve every penny that you charge. You found the problem in no time with a accurate diagnosis. It could have gone a lot worse if he took it to someone else.
Tell that guy to clean his air filter every once a millennium.
I'd tell him to just throw it in the garbage can and get an original one :) It does not seem it's a weekend car which they use from time to time, but a daily rider/work truck and a sport filter doesn't make any sense. These cars (I had the 3V 5.4L, sold it at 240k miles running good) need a lot of maintenance without a 'sport' filter, I wouldn't add one to cause more problems...
@@banzay1 Those are what I call a "hot air intake". They actually lose power vs the stock one because they are funneling hot under-hood air into the engine
justsomeguytoyou atleast they put a shield on it though but I just put a drop in k & n filter and kept the stop box on mine.
Agree.. 100% worse than stock.
@@tonyv7660 - Did you see the dust/dirt on that engine ? What people do not understand about K&N filters is that they actually trap dust/dirt BETTER than paper filters. This means they CLOG much faster than paper filter and REQUIRE MORE FREQUENTLY CLEANING !
I say you're charitable enough as it is, sharing all that hard earned experience with the rest of us.
I would definitely pay this man his money I know I can trust him to give me the truth!! and fix it right.......
Oh man, I'm learning so much from you, been a mechanic for a long time and you are making me a lot better, thank you.
Absolutely nothing unfair about charging for services rendered. You're the one who posses the EXPENSIVE diagnostic equipment and the knowledge how to use it.
Nothing stopping the owner from spending an hour doing his own research too. That is certainly DIY territory. And he would have to spend $10 for a can of cleaner too.
It's awesome of you to charge him for that as you well deserve the money. Almost everyone else would charge for a new Sensor and not even talk cleaning it . Keep up the amazing work. If I ever break down out of town I hope I find someone like you. LOVE THE HONEST WORK!!!!! YOU'RE ANALYZING!!!!!!
Most shops would replace the MAF and charge book labor for doing it, plus the one hour minimum for diagnostics rather than cleaning the existing MAF and only charging the one hour minimum. Eric is fair and treats his customers right. If I lived in his area I'd definitely take my vehicle to his shop for service.
Just like an electrician coming to a house and resetting a breaker. Done it too many times ( I even ask first to try to save the fee.) Unfortunately if you can't do it yourself, you owe the experienced technician for their time. Well done Eric!
Dale Turnley that happened to my friend. He look at the breaker but never checked it. Plumber came out and checked it by flipping it off and on. BOOM! pumps working again. Still had to pay...
More recently, he tried to fix his ac unit. Replaced the contractor and capacitor. Neither fixed it. Was a broken wire...
However, knowing why the breaker tripped is important, too. Odds are it is getting "tender" - tripping at too low a current. When breakers reach 20 years or so and trip for no obvious reason it is a good idea to shotgun it out. Depending on what is on the circuit (freezer, maybe?) you can wait for the second time.
Great video! To me, it points out a truth, that if a vehicle is in good condition, any poblems that occur usually have a simple remedy, but finding it is most of the battle. That is where we need your knowledge and expertise.
You’re worth every dime, buddy. Every dime.
Plus a wise man once said; those specialized tools ain’t cheap! And he was right.
Neither are cheap labor rates? Find a good, honest guy (for anything and keep 'em. Shopping on rates is folly, they always cost more.
Yes it does work . I did clean my air flow sensor with some crc carb cleaner took away my issues . fixes air sensor problems fast .Ive taken alot technican courses too.Watch you tackle these jobs is inspiring to us all . Thank you for doing what you do .Being honest and getting paid for it.
Good video! You get paid for what you know, not how long it took. Most would have replaced the MAF. The customer was lucky to have you work on his hotrod Ford. Happy Father's day.
Seems like very few shops ever try to clean MAP sensors anymore. Why buy a new part when the original can be cleaned? That's the society we live in today. Maybe if the customer cleaned his air filter more often, he wouldn't of had this problem in the first place. Everyone of these K & N fans seem to forget the maintenance of those filters is a lot more than a regular paper air filter. Great video.
K&N filters have a long interval for cleaning...so long everyone forgets.
By the time you take it out, clean it, dry it, reinstall it is probably more labor than just replacing. And replacing will probably last longer than reusing one that has been cleaned. So maybe the difference is doing it yourself with zero labor cost and having shop labor do it.
Been having SMA withdrawals. I know it's the busy time, and recording takes a lot of time... THANK YOU FOR THE UPLOAD. All the way from Idaho
Ay I'm from Idaho as well
withdrawals from Reagan tn too mr o scanner danner and ivan are the bees knees
Travis where in Idaho? I am in Vale Oregon.
@@sixinarow1 Boise
@@Indiandog Rigby
I have the same truck. My scan tool shows MASF (sensor 1) at 0.04 lbs. and (sensor 2) shows voltage which was very responsive to throttle variations. Scan tool used is an AUTEL MK808BT. As always Eric, another great show. For some it was a no brainer and for some it’s a eye opener, you never know what a lot of viewers need to see on Y.T. University .
An hour of your time for such a simple fix? A bargain at twice the price - and I got to learn something. Thanks muchly.
Thanks for Including the Info about what data you should be seeing at the same time as data you are seeing. This is very helpful in the learning process. I'd like to also compliment you on adding comments about why things cause issues and the differences in the the way different auto brands differ. Videos like this really help aspiring th
Techs to benefit from your prior experiences. I wish you would consider putting together a premium channel for us regular dudes. I say this because out of all the UA-cam auto teachers ...its you I can understand the best....thanks for what you're doing!
It's when they charge and DON'T fix it that's the problem. Like when you get cars from other shops, no doubt those hapless owners were charged for all the labor and the parts they fruitlessly shot at the vehicle.
There's no need to have to explain yourself for charging when you HAVE actually fixed the problem.
Good on ya Eric 👌
Yup, and i've been to what many folks would consider the worst franchise joints (nearby spots on a day off) with problems they couldn't figure out , and been sent on my way with "we don't know what it is, you don't owe us anything". So yeah, at least they had the decency to accept defeat instead of firing the parts cannon - that I can do myself.
I know I am late commenting however I agree with most of the comments here. My grandfather turned wrenches in the 40's - 70's (told me he had to make his own tools over the years). I've been hurt $$-wise by franchise owners in the past. Find a person you can trust, like this fellow, and there are no problems. It is very hard to find trust like this. Thank you.
Unfair? That owner got a fantastic bargain.
Thanks man, I didn't get the long term and short term fuel trim relationship before.
Every day is a school day
If anyone asks you why did you charge them for an hour if you fixed it in 10 minutes just say that it took you x years to learn how to fix it in 10 minutes.
Not to mention the $$$$ spent in tools to be able to dial that in 10 min.
That's when you explain to them that mechanics work at a flat rate. I remembered at some of the dealership I worked for we would leave the car in the shop or park it way in the back of the building on customer who Couldn't Understand Normal Thinking aka the C. U. N. T
Yet it takes more than 10 minutes. How long to get all the tools and the MAF cleaner and then verify the fix. Video was almost 30 minutes and we know there was stuff done off camera before and after.
As I've said in other comments, I'd rather pay the hour diag than pay someone just shooting the parts cannon at the car hoping to fix it.
If those don't think other people's service doesn't worth a dime shouldn't take the to them at the first place. Unfortunately those lousy customers want to get paid for the service they supplies at their own work place.
Son in law does 4 hour jobs in 1 hour. Why? Because he has learned ‘how’ in his short 21 years of experience. That’s how! 🤣 now pay the man!
Eric: I've been in the automotive technical field for a long time. (28 years with Ford Motor Company) You are a diagnostician and not a mechanic who is a parts replacer. People pay you for what you know, not for how long it takes. You verify and verify some more and then make a call on what is wrong. This saves customers money every time vs a parts replacer. Keep up the great work and I enjoy your videos as I learn new things right along with you.
Its a shame David. we called a ford dealership needing a part number for a carb kit on a 86 f150, we also needed the fast idle kick down rod, the tech kept searching for it under fuel injection parts and said (surprise, surprise) there is no fast idle kick down rod on fuel injected motors. we explained again that the truck was not fuel injected and he responded with, "then it cant get fuel to the motor. how does it run?" this was in 2007...ive lost faith in the future generations after that interaction.
Happy Father's Day Eric. Spend it with family eating steak and icecream then put out another video 5am Monday. Lol. Thanks for what you do.
The comment at the end about getting paid really resonated with me. Why is it that some customers expect to get a repair like this for free? I get sick of explaining it!
Anyway, this was a perfect example of understanding how the system works and how to interpret the data, and it was done efficiently. Good work 👍
I say he is lucky it was just that simple fix. But his air-filter well that is another story. Have a great father's day Dr Eric
I just watched your video randomly as it came up automatically after something else. I have absolutely no need to know anything about this topic (or up until I have this problem with one of my vehicles anyway), but thought you'd like to know just for "grins and giggles" I watched the entire video because you seem to be an interesting fella and kept the "tutorial" fun. I like learning random stuff totally unrelated to my day job and interests- good for the brain. Win-win! Now I can't wait to throw my new-found knowledge of MAF sensor issues into a conversation. A guy could even use brake cleaner, but...
Nice! Drive it like a rental! :) I really enjoy the fact that you fix things, and not bust out the parts cannon.
Great video. I never realized how integral and sensitive the sensors can be....Thanks for making these videos and sharing them with us.. 😁
You charge for what you know, not for what you do and customers should understand that.
Best regards from Vancouver Island
Nope...you get paid for what useful things you do with what you know. Idle knowledge is worthless...
Who do they think they are, the Beatles? You don't get paid royalties for what you did in the past. Your experience may keep customers coming in the door, but that's it. Sounds like Creative Fleecing of customers, i.e. Bullshit.
Thank you for keeping your viewers informed - a young person may have avoided a detour in their path to becoming a weather person by signing up for a gynecology program!
Why he got off very lucky,, you fixed it for a diagnostics check and a quick fix and that's all what a great deal.. very good video thanks..
This stuff fixed my lean code. I used the throttle body cleaner as well and it got my ride running nice and smooth :)
“Would be using brake cleaner if weren’t making a video”...LOL...Love it! 😊
@Open Ranks Oh, really? Why, exactly?
I'm going to tell you a secret. MAF Cleaner is the same as electrical parts cleaner, and carb cleaner is the same as brake cleaner. Also, FORD carb cleaner is safe for MAF as well.
@@jr-bp4oq
How about rubbing alcohol 50% or 70 % solution?
Thats what I used. Marketing sells.
@@loktom4068 what about at least 90% ISO Alcohol? Less water would be faster drying/evaporation. If the ISO was propelled in a continuous blast, contacting foreign detritus on the sensor, inertia and rapid evap would carry more away rather than clinging or pooling on the sensor, wouldn't it? Or is that higher percentage ISO damaging the device somehow? I have a 2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0 Vulcan with 135k and lots of problems are rising.
superb video, i currently own a ford ranger with out of whack fuel trims, due to having to now care for my mum with her cancer i cant afford to pay a mechanic to sort it out for me, being self employed and not worked in 5 months, yup savings have now gone, i have bought a scan tool cleaned the MAF sensor and all trims are good, all thanks to watching this video. thanks a lot.
I can't believe people would ask if you charge for that repair.
Have you met people?
I don't like them...
people suck
I can. People are [CENSORED]. I Hate People.
@@Torsee great reply
My brother who is an architect talks to other people at the gym he goes to.The other gym members includes an accountant, lawyer and a doctor that he talks to. They exchange free help within their respective area of expertise when at the gym. It's a give and take situation. Off course my brother gives out free advice when they have questions about construction.
I learned the importance of cleaning the MAF sensor. Here in California my 96 Impala SS was randomly throwing a CEL code that said the idle speed is too high. I couldn't see anything unusual in the tach. I replaced the Idle Air bypass valve. The CEL returned a few days later. I cleaned the throttle body. The CEL returned a few days later. I found a leaky vacuum hose and fixed it. The CEL returned a few days later. Then, as a "hail Mary", I cleaned the MAF sensor even though visually it looked fine. Haven't seen another CEL since then. My car passed the smog test with flying colors!
No problem here, you time is valuable.
Watched this episode again today, 8/17/20. The bit at 22 minutes about jump starting the jaguar for the lady in the hospital parking lot made the second viewing worth the trip.
You have to charge. That's why your in business and want to remain in business. I think it was totally fair
Previous employer was constantly told by account how much in FREE stuff he gave away. $1000s in light bulbs and labor to replace them.
Mechanics fix cars.that was a great honest repair.
How is it even a question if you charge or not? You're a mechanic not mother theresa... Keep up the good work Eric!
Why wouldn’t you charge them? It’s your job and you do excellent work. Besides, you and your family likes to eat, like everyone else, so the job puts food on the table!
Great video as always!
I had a pine needle on the maf lean it out to the point it wasn't driveable 👍👍👍👍👍
Of course you charge! You have overhead, years of experience, diagnostic tools, mechanical tools etc. Charity is your discretion. You don't get paid for just what you do but for your knowledge and ability.
There should be a keep alive memory reset under functional tests. Good video.
One hour diag fee is unbelievably reasonable. I mean, you actually diagnosed the problem and then repaired it. If anything I'd say thats too reasonable! lol Keep up the great work!
Nothing wrong or unfair about charging for your time and knowledge 👍🏻
This is the one and only channel to watch on fixing different things on different cars it's the number one channel it's the bottom line to it this guy's really good and he's just a normal working man that does things the right way or tries his best to do things the right way and normally they come out perfect bottom line the best channel to pay attention to in my book thanks
Yeah. When my stuff needs fixing I like to hire someone to fix it. And I sure don't mind paying them for it. Thanks, fix-it guy.
Of course you charge...Diagnostics are so worth it to fix a problem like this.
Of course you should charge for that! A customer is paying for your expertise and tools used. I don't why people get upset over that...
Good job South Main Auto! I don’t mind paying for repairs, but I do mind getting fleeced. I wish you were closer.
Entertaining and informative..that's SMA videos,and it's why I signed up as a Patreon subscriber,keep up the good work Eric,cheers from downunder.
Excellent Video.I have a 2006 F-150 with the 4.6.I have my sons simple OBD reader.I got rid of the 303 code by replacing the injector.That worked for a few days before i got another check engine light.This one is 171.After watching your Video,i'll go and clean the MAF sensor when the Truck gets back.Thanks again. Well Explained.
If you’re gonna run a K&N you better plan on cleaning your MAF regularly.
yes and if you want to enjoy your car for a long time, you stick with the stock airfilter.
@@MultiArrie Kimberly and Natalie give at least 10 hp performance boost, don't they? Oh, and 2 mpg highway.
I've ran K&N and still run them in my vehicles. Every single one of them. Never had a single issue, MAFs and TBs are always pristine. I do clean TBs from time to time if I have to remove intake when I work on the cars. I don't soak the filters in tons of oil and give em 24 hours to set/dry. Most of the issues I find are related to poor installation practices or poor maintenance.
@@phprofYT its more the more intake sound that you make believe its faster.
I have ran k&n air filters for hundreds of thousands of miles on multiple Vehicles I've never had a issue with a MAF sensor not ever.
Just wanted to say because of watching several of your videos it gave me the courage to pull the head off my car to replace the head gasket as well as the rest of the upper engine gaskets, water pump, and everything else I can do and get to while the head is out of the car. All the local shops were quoting $1200-1800 to do just the head gasket, umm no LOL. So I'm just about 1/2 way through, its all taken apart, have to clean all the mating gasket surfaces off, get the new gaskets put on and get it all back together, so hopefully next weekend I'll get it all back together. Just so happens its the first time taking anything like this apart on a vehicle. I've done a couple of small engine head gaskets in the past, and figured well this is just a small engine x4 LOL. Thanks for all your wisdom and giving me the confidence I can do this too. So much money saved. Got the gasket set online at Rockauto for $20 for all the upper engine gaskets, and I had to buy a 17mm wrench and socket which I think was about $15 so I have $35 into this repair...much, much easier of a bill to swallow than the $1200-1800 that the shops wanted, and I am betting they wouldn't have done anything else, maybe would have replaced the intake & exhaust manifold gaskets but maybe not...and I highly doubt they'd be doing the water pump which added another $25 to the bill so $60 total, with all Felpro gaskets. So hopefully it runs after I get it put back together HAHA!!!! Don't see why it wouldn't, it was running when I parked it last month due to the signs of a blown head gasket, and luckily I paid attention to the signs and immediately quit driving it and just parked it till I could and felt like working on it or finding someone to work on it. I figured since it was a blown head gasket its days were numbered anyways, and for the $20 gasket kit, a couple tools and a water pump all for $60 its well worth the time and effort if it runs afterwards, if not lesson learned that I am NOT a mechanic HAHA!!
Eric, great job as always. If I may, I wanted to add a few things based off the video and a few comments below.
1. This was a great training opportunity as you showed the various MAF/BARO & FT changes after the BARO PID updated (yes, based off TPS/MAF..not MAP like most :) ). It's important to see the the TOTAL FT's are not only based off the MAF/O2 relationship, but this also proves the BARO influence (see on the FINAL numbers).
2. I've seen below and in my classes where techs/DIY'rs think cleaning a MAF is as good as replacing with a NEW (not reman/rebuilt) MAF. In some cases you can get close to NEW performance. However, many times you cannot. MAF plays not only an important role in FT, but also timing, EGR and transmission EPC (Electronic Pressure Control) performance/operation. Not to mention MAF output characteristics are not linear, there can be areas of airflow that under/over report from a cleaned MAF. Less likely with a NEW MAF.
So, for a shop...that has to warranty a repair and wants to make sure timing, EGR, transmission and any other monitor/functions stay within specs.... a new one may be the best answer.
Thanks for sharing and hope my info above might help some reading the comments.
its funny most of todays new "mechanics" dont know the difference in a maf and a map sensor. also we have come to the point where some of todays dealership techs think a carb is just a nutrient measurement in foods.
Great Job. You have invested in tools, learned to use them effectively, and have accumulated vast real word experience. Your are Skilled Trades. You are being paid for your work and your expertise. More than Fair.
You know you could parley your performance into a much better gig, because You have the perfect combination. The soothing toned voice and a natural delivery. It's possible, but you like fixing things too much. I can tell. I'm an Electrician on my 50th year in the trades. I'm compelled to fix things. I don't let no job beat me! Its fun and Personally rewarding. I really enjoy your video's. God Bless You and your Family.
You only charged them a one hour diagnostic fee? I'd say that's mighty generous---many shops would've tacked on extras like "R/R MAF sensor", "MAF sensor cleaning", etc
Great video! Totally fair for charging for your time. People need to learn they are paying for your experience and investment in tools. Just because you're efficient doesn't mean your labour value goes down.
Absolutely you will charge a nominal fee for your expertise, if not Mrs O will not be able to provide a delish nutrish lunch
Reminds me of a joke. A chief engineer on a ship couldn't find a problem on one of the engines. After all engineers and motormen couldn't find it, they bring a guy from the shore. This guy, only brings a small hammer with him, hears the engine, knocks a couple of times on a pump's valve and BAM! everything is working again. Then comes the bill: 5000$. The chief engineer gets crazy: "you only spent 5 min working and you want this amount?". The guy responds: "yes, but the time I spend in college, in specialty classes, learning where to knock, that is worth the money!", Something like that was in Mr. O's case too :)
Eric says he loves when Mrs. O makes lots of Kale!
Another great lesson for us shade tree mechanics. Happy Father’s Day. Enjoy the day off with your wonderful wife and kids.
Your time is no different than anyone else's time in a given field. To be sure, you are not being paid strictly for the resolution of the problem, but rather for your expertise (i.e., being able to determine what to diagnose). In other words, you are worth what you charge because you bring to the job all of your prior years of experience that leads you to such things as little bugs or seeds in MAF sensors. The resolution of the problem completes the transaction.
You are wise to have a minimum of one hour fee. There are only so many hours in a day in which to cover overhead, taxes, and then make a living. You would have to stop doing sub-hour work in order to survive.
You're worth more than you charge. Guys like you always are. Had a friend look at my Charger front end today. His diagnosis - sway bar bushings shot. Cost me $20.00. He didn't charge me for a linkage part that would be well over $100.00.
In my shop we've had people come in for a diagnostic and then decline the repair, then they throw a fit when they have to pay for the diag "you didn't even do anything!" or "i knew that's what it was already!" and then people who agree to pay for something then complain why it costs so much once the work is done.
I think most shops have a flat fee and then if extra time is required, they are called to approve additional diag time as needed. It takes more time like this but I think it avoids surprises.
sounds like you work for a subpar shop and should move on immediately
Yes!! You are a pro. Money well spent. You are honest and it does take time to solve a problem. I do understand your situation.
Maybe one day UNICEF will get into the car repair business, but until then you're the man to see!
This is a business.
Always head to your channel when I have an issue I am unfamiliar with. And I always learn something! Thank you for sharing your expertise!!!
Love the short/no intro. I don't watch UA-cam for long intros.😃
Considering the cost of the parts cannon repair shops, your work is much more valuable than theirs and saves the customer piles of cash as well as actually fixing the problem. That to me is easily worth the cost.
1 hour and an expensive scan tool, not to mention your expertise.
Sounds like a bargain to me!
Putting that scanner in the SUV over doubled the value of that vehicle. People think that the $200 scanner is as good as a professional scanner never have operated a real scanner. Comparing the two is like saying a Honda with a fart can is as powerful as a Bugatia
People comment on anyone else service doesn't worth the $ should do it themselves.
Stop wasting other people's time.
Yet when these same person goes to work thinks his or her work worth a lot more than they were.
@@michaelwilkening8542 I always get a laugh out of those noisy little $h!ts... When my '02 Subaru WRX was brand new (the first year they were available in America), I used to get a lot of them wanting to race. Since it was still under 10k miles, I decided not to, but a year later (once it was broken in), no one was interested anymore!
😄
They may not be the greatest dragsters, but they turn any mountain road into your own, personal roller coaster...
😅
@@loktom4068 Better go back to school and take some remedial English classes so you can construct a proper sentence.
@@annmorris6280 Says the woman who doesn't know how to look up the meaning of words in Google.
I'm a firm believer! I cleaned my 2003 Avalanche and 2005 Gran Prix and both had a very significant improvement. I have to admit that at first when I seen the elements, I thought this is probably BS. The results are undeniable.
"Your are not only paying me for what I do, you are paying me for what I know" Dad
One of my favorite channels. Really like watching and sometimes just listening to your videos while working.
Like the Fluid Film shirt. The stuff works. Sponsored by New York salt distributors.
I was at a freight auction and there were some sooty pallets from a truck fire there and I bought a whole pallet of automotive chemicals for $44, I had never heard of Fluid Film and now I will use it for life, it works great, but it might be a while before I have to buy more, there was 200+ cans of Fluid Film on the pallet, plus 40 3/4 gallon cans of Berryman Carb Cleaner and 150 cans of brake cleaner. I am set for life. Boxes were sooty, but the cans were perfect. I like that it is delayed viscosity also so it will works its way into tight places then film up for long term lubrication.
Ziebart works great! Sponsored by Ford, GM, and everybody who wants to sell lots of new cars in the New York area.
I can’t expect people would expect you to work for free? Thanks for the videos.
Once had a customer that had a mosquito in the MAF. Car quit and wouldn't run. Gives new meaning to term car has a few bugs in it.
I live here in Knoxville, Tennessee. And it don’t even matter if you’re sent to the dealer with a fairly new vehicle, nobody knows anything when it comes to diagnose the problem. You’re a great mechanic Eric I believe is your name. I wish we had a few in Knoxville Tennessee. I’ve got a problem with my truck right now.. Dennis
As a tech in a different field, I used to say “your paying me for my knowledge to repair something”
Every video shows off your expiriance. You are a exilent pro mechanic and diagnostics.
Gotta pay the bills sir. Nice diag. Thanks Dr. O!
id like to have a mechanic like this man...i wood not have any problem paying the bill ...
Sportin' the Fluid Film shirt...
Nice! (but not a sponsor)
Probably cheaper to wear and discard all those advertising shirts than it is to wash them.
Think he wears them on 'dinner dates' with Mrs 'O'..??
I'm sure he didn't pay for the shirt :-/
Fair, honest , good mechanic and charge the going rate. Can't complain with that.
If Eric didn't charge , there would be no shop and no cars would ever be fixed, Win Win for all!
No videos! :(
Always amazes me how people want you to work for free. We dont live in some dystopian world where everything is free people. Thanks for the video.