*UPDATE:* The "spool valve" showed up from Honda the next day and the lady is on her way again! From a $6000.00 estimate and a story of, "you need a new engine lady!" to a $400ish dollar bill and have a nice day. I'd say that is about as good as it could have ended for her. If something doesn't seem right folks always get a second opinion. This car would have ended up in the scrap yard because they were not going to sink that much money into it. Have a great week! -Eric O.
Knowledge is everything Eric , your the guy who goes that extra mile , maybe Billie Bob looked at it with his dungarees on 😂😂😂😂😂😂, well done sir credit to you , your customer will be so happy , she will no doubt give them a call to let them know 😂😂😂😂
years ago when i was 1000 or so miles away, my family had a Dodge Intrepid (sp?) break down, and the dealership couldn't get us in for a week (we had to be on the way home by then and we couldn't do what we were there for) ... somehow it got to us we'd "need a new transmission" .... we took it to a local shop (that i am sorry to say I am not sure it exists anymore... this was over 20 years ago mind you) and after doing some diag work ... well i cant remember what part it was but it was like a $150 part or something i think. The Dealership wouldn't even send the part out, so an assistant at the shop drove to the dealer personally to pick it up. like 2 or so hours after the initial diag at that shop, we were on our way again. MY family still remembers that shop and what they did to this day
You are undercharging your labor rate. I haven’t charged $100 an hour in 15 years! If I have to buy $5880 Autel plus $$$ yearly updates,, I can’t charge less than $150 an hour labor rate.
Eric, I am an old retired master mechanic , aircraft and automotive. I watch your videos because it reminds me of the 50's and 60's when there were MECHANICS rather than technicians. I was not a parts cannon and either are you. We can FIX things instead of throwing parts at it. You are old school and very honest with your customers. Great job!
@@evilgtidriver Oh yeah they do. It's called stacking up the hourly rate and doing it in half the time. Or go to a Jiffy Screweb place and deal with their 'hard sell' on &hit you don't need and voids warranty (*cough* engine flush *cough*)
@@Tedybear315 yeah, that still describes hourly pay. Techs get paid by the hour. An engine job that cost $6k is because the engine cost $4,500 and then there are cost for fluids and shop fees. It’s probably 12-15 hours labor. The shop gets most of the labor typically. If you work for a good shop, the tech may get 40-45%. Dealerships screw their techs and the techs get flat rate shit pay.
This was a 10/10 video, then Mrs. O shows up and it goes to a 20/10. Nice to see the Teenage Mini Mrs. O show up, have not seen her in a long time. Your integrity and helpfulness is very much appreciated Eric O.
My dad watched a guy change the hourly rate from $50 to $150 an hour back when I was a kid the second he saw we were from out of state. Dishonest shops like that are the reason I don't trust any of y'all (present company excluded), and I do as much of my own work as humanly possible. Thanks for all the great videos Eric!
@@williamalbright8878 Having his knowledge, but then using it to help is the thing. I'm guessing there are some as smart as Eric, but found they can manipulate parts and test results to put more money in their pocket.
Mr. O you are the best hands down. I had a similar experience years ago when I broke down at night in Olean on my way back to Boston. The next day I had my car towed to the local Cadillac dealer had me spend most of the day there, when they finally check out the car I think they spent less than 1 hr, & came out with a $3500 estimate for head gaskets. (Common problem for STS vehicles) I left the car there & went back to Boston luckily a friend who was from Rochester told me of a local shop, so I had AAA take the car up there, I got a call a day later all it was, was a bad radiator he replaced it for $400. Thank God for local shops like yours that have integrity!😊
This lady was so fortunate she broke down in your area. And then, that she found you out of all the possible choices. Little did she know she was getting the A team of auto repair. Think of all the wallets you've saved. and.. All the marriages that survived because a lone spouse didn't swap out the car and send her hubby into a seizure. Nice work as usual.
The audio quality on your mic is amazing because when I heard the cricket I would have sworn it was coming from behind me in our kitchen LOL . Losing my marbles!!
I was going to say the world needs more of you. The world needs _only_ you, as in people with your integrity, quality, honesty, humor, and SWINGIN' COD. What a mensch.
Another proper diagnosis from the master mechanic ❤ love your work ethic my friend, from a 69 year old mechanic still plugging along in Chicago Illinois
Love it when you and Ivan can do a no parts required/easy fix. Root cause analysis is the most important part of being a mechanic/engineer/any technical service and it floors me that many folks will look at the symptoms only and not root cause. Great job teaching folks how fall in love with the problem and get it diagnosed.
Eric O. applies himself diligently to ascertain what the true cause of a problem/defect is. He is willing to put in the extra effort required to uncover the origin of the problem. A lot of mechanics are not willing (or able) to rationalize the exact cause. It is easier to throw a part or two at the problem & hope for the best. Meanwhile the customer gets to pay for their guessing!
another great story Eric, you are a hero to your customers. So great that she googled "car broke down in Avoca" and she found you. She joins the family of folks who are grateful to have been helped by you. Nice to see Trinity again, twice in one summer! cheers
Kindness is a weakness to the indecent but virtuous to the decent. Mr O is among our most decent. We all have the ability to keep our integrity but most don’t and develop bad habits that make it easy to be dishonest. Nice work thank you.
Eric that's the one thing I like about watching your videos, you just tell it like it is you don't fool any punches, you try to keep it clean I know there's other words you would like to say, lol but you a damn good mechanic and you save the lady a lot of grief thank you son
Incompetent mechanics, my distrust of them, and my love of cars and all things mechanical led me to become a mechanic myself. And Mr. O, I think you are one of the best I have seen in 35 years of turning wrenches. I salute you.
I learned my lesson on non OEM parts. 2014 Sierra with 235,000 ish miles. Went through 3 front hub/bearing assemblies in just over a year from a national parts chain. They were all covered under the warranty period, but who wants to do the same job over and over on the same vehicle. Went to dealership parts department and had a conversation with the gentleman behind the counter and he was out of stock on a part i needed sooner than later, and he was on vacation the remainder of the week so he gave me a printout with the part numbers and a phone number for the wholesale parts distributor for the entire metro. Factory parts without the dealership mark-up. Same truck similar lesson with several other parts from alternator to axle seals. I have learned OEM or do it again, and again, and... I appreciate your honesty and dedication. It is refreshing to see. I would not think twice about bringing my vehicle to your shop. Be well. Later.
Eric I've been watching your channel well since the test of times 😂, and between other shops stuffing up and you end up fixing it, and the pure dislike of dorman parts cracks me up, this is why you sir are a master mechanic.
As a teen, my dad’s VW Westfalia broke down about 15 hours from home with a really loud clicking sound from the engine. The shop we were towed to wasn’t a VW store but they took care of us and even loaned us a car while we waited. This was back in the 80s. There are good honest shops out there so kudos to South Main Auto for being one of them!
There was a time in my young life that I would have never used oem parts. Now, because of you and Ivan and Danner I can’t imagine using aftermarket. My family’s fleet thanks you for that 😂
When I was younger, aftermarket parts worked fine, for the most part. 15 years ago a rebuilt Autozone starter would work 98/100 times, today you're lucky if 10/100 work. They're not even trying with these imported Chinesium parts, not sure how it's legal.
There was a time you had local parts stores that sold parts from name brands that wasn't cheap chineseum crap since reputation used to matter. So most aftermarket stuff actually worked fine if not quite as long lasting as OEM. Amazon and China have teamed up to ruin yet another system that worked fine for a century...
Well said, gentleman. What we're seeing are the fruits of allowing our manufacturing to be outsourced to China, they're shipping in parts, like automotive sensors, that straight up do not work out of the box. Even if they technically "function" they don't work within specification so it just causes more problems. You really have no viable option but OEM post 2020, good luck because I see indefinite back-order on parts for 4 year old vehicles now.
I once had a dealership tell a female co-worker that her car needed a new engine to fix a starting problem and rough running. I fixed the starting problem in the parking lot by cleaning and re-attaching the battery cables on the battery. Influenced by my fixing one problem in the parking lot she then took her car to a good "mom & pop" shop that fixed the rough running problem with new plugs and wires. She saved one plug and showed it to me at work, the thing was so bad it was a miracle that the cylinder was firing at all. (maybe it wasn't) She kept that car for another 3 years until she traded it off when buying a new car. GET THAT SECOND OPINION!!
Get that second opinion but do the dang maintenance too! I am the de facto "auto tech" in my friend group, and even people who follow oil change intervals regularly pay zero attention to plugs, brake fluid, coolant, timing belts, pads, rotors, tires, injectors, coils, etc. until something goes wrong. Most of it is simple ignorance, of course, but if you expect a machine (any machine!) to just work perfectly, all day, every day, forever... that's willful ignorance, and there is a difference.
That new mic works great, I thought I had a cricket in the house. I learned the hard way, any sensors I buy OEM. You saved this lady a bunch of cash, no engine needed. Outstanding.
Of all the years I have been watching your channel... this episode not only was the best so far but you gave a lady the break she needed and you were honest about it!!!!!
I love how you're always using different OBD scanners, especially now that they're pretty much over the counter and just as good for most jobs all while giving a good non-biased review. Also, that kid looks like a hockey player!
This is why I started watching your channel. Cuz you actually take the time to find the problem. I just find it funny that the dealer couldn't figure that out and their spose to be the experts.
Love it. If I ever break down near you, I know who I'm calling. Sadly, I'm a state away and likely will never need to, so I'll just live vicariously through your videos. Thank you for thinking things through and setting an excellent example.
@22:47 Talk about getting the side eye.....😆🤣. As usual great job, lady very fortunate to have you nearby but good job by her to know enough to bring it to you. She had a very good day indeed!
I wonder if this part was changed by another shop before the bad engine diag. Or was the pintle that soft it failed immediately? Puzzles... Another lesson learned. Thanks Mr O, you are the bomb!
There are honest shops that understand that data, and troubleshooting are critical to customer satisfaction; you are one of the few. I spent my career as a remote troubleshooter, among other endeavors, on complex electro-mechanical systems and there is no substitute for the history, the work already performed (including parts replaced and from what source), the observations from the user and any of the technicians that have been working on a device. Information to form the final result is critical... also not using crap parts that no one should be using. Great job and I really appreciate your candor and work ethic, just saying. My brother in-law runs a automotive repair shop in PA and I consider him the best diagnostician that I have ever come across in any field of endeavor.
Alright, enough debate, your honesty earned my membership. Signing up now. I dont even own a pilot, but the mere concept of checking your stuff before firing the parts cannon is an invaluable concept for anyone who lifts a wrench. Cheers Eric!
I was rooting for this person, 6.000 is not chump change, Glade you were able to get her going with her engine, This would really suck to be in a town of strangers to help you, Glade she found a honest man to get her home again for the best price , My God Bless you and your family, Sure be nice to be more people in the world that’s honest
Another great lesson from Professor Eric, I too am a believer in "you get what you pay for" , unfortunately anything aftermarket now is junk , there is too many companies in the game selling to unsuspecting consumers. Pay the price, do it right ,do it once.
I have been to Avoca, Wisconsin - but not Avoca, NY. If I ever do go there, I fully expect to drive around and see a repair garage with a big sign in front that says *ANOTHER SHOP*. Good job Eric O.
I once stopped right down the street from Avoca, NY at the Pilot truck stop in Bath when I was a truck driver for a short time. It was there that I realized the company had fired me. They shut down my Comdata fuel card for refusing to drive during Hurricane Sandy. I rented a car and left the truck there.
On the other hand.....fourteen years ago, wife and I were driving down to see my mom. Three hours from home, the serp belt tensioner pulley came apart. Pulled into a small independent mechanic shop. The guy had a new unit delivered, installed it, and gave us a bill for about one-third what I figured it would be (I know my way around cars). We paid it and were on the road in about an hour. Two weeks later, wife and took the morning away from chores, drove back down to the little town that shop was in, bought two large pizzas and a one-liter bottle of Pepsi and took it to the shop to show our appreciation. Don't know if that shop is still in business, but I hope it is and that he is making scads of happy customers AND scads of money.
Eric: Thank you for showing us how it’s done. Honesty, Integrity and forthrightness are hard to find these days. You demonstrate all those attributes. Thank you. On another note and in my experience, the Honda J35 engine is extremely bullet proof. I’m on my third. 232,000 miles on the first, prior to read. 167,000 miles on the second, prior to trade. Never an oil leak anywhere. If you take care of them they take care of you. A great video, once again.
Talk about living right. Broke down out of town and goes from a new engine to a little spot and polish. It'd never happen to me, but at least I got to see it. Thanks for all u do, Mr. O!
Mr. O, you are too humble. I really hope this customer watches this video and realizes how inept the other shop was. Just because AAA allows them to slap the decals on their trucks doesn't mean they're legit mechanics or tow operators. often it means they are the only game in town willing to deal with the hassle.
Great video. It just confirms that a little logic, a bit of knowledge, a few tools, and knowing how to ask 'If->then' questions, you will probably solve your problem. It's kind of like life. Your presentation is very good.
You're the beat at diagnosing issues. I would go to you every time, if you were close! Keep being an honest mechanic. Watching you and Rainman Ray just reassures me that dealerships don't have the best and not the most honest people
Now this is what is called Experience! Eric could have easily said yep engine is toast that will be $ 200.00 Instead his experience said hold on horsey something sounds like a closer look is needed as in all sounded normal. Good on the lady for having doubts in the claim that her low milage Honda was toast, and then somehow she ended up getting her car to Eric. That’s a Lottery win.
The clock said you work at 6-30 in the morning. I didn´t believe it till i saw Sleepyhead at the end of the video. That right there - Classic Provider and Protector. Hat´s off.
Very refreshing to have an actual mechanic diagnose this issue instead of a typical dealership parts changer. God bless you sir, if there were more of you out there in mechanics land the world would be a better place and people wouldn't be getting ripped off.
This is why you can't just take your vehicles to any old shop, if the tech's there are unwilling to do a full simple diagnostic like you did it goes to show you that it's about money and getting it in and out as quick as possible. There's a huge difference between Mechanic Shops and that's 1 are you loaded with work and have long turnaround times and then you have the shop that does number 2, in and out as fast as possible with little diagnosis. The bottom line is yes, we all need to make money, we all need to do things fast enough as to not piss off the customers at the same though, do you want fast and not repaired, or slow and repaired? This is the question always needed to ask, as a customer, I would be happier having you say hey listen it might take 2 or 3 days to get a proper diagnosis and fix. I'd prefer to spend $500 on labor then $150 on labor and dump the labor amount along with parts that are either wrong, or parts that are not of good quality and have to then go and spend more money on more unnecessary things. This is what makes you and your shop the better, the real mechanics, the real problem solvers and that's because you're willing to take the time, do the research, do the diagnosis and provide a very fair and complete job, that I know I can go home happy and assured the vehicle is and will be in better shape. Money is everything but not when it makes you and your shop look bad because you failed to do the proper step by step checks on these repairs. I have a shop by me, they are a decent shop, but by no means do they provide proper fix or diagnosis, and it shows when they are willing to throw $1000 worth of labor and parts for a $250 job done the proper way. Thank you, Eric, for providing the people a fair, and reputable shop that shows that not all shops are bad and looking to rip you off, right across the street from the shop I mentioned is another shop that my buddy runs and is just like you spends the time and care when repairing and diagnosing. Also, it's great when your video's come out, I usually check every day because they are just entertaining and full of knowledge!
I watch this channel a lot. One heck of a mechanic/tech that's for sure. I work on my own stuff and I am amazed at the technical knowledge of this man. I would have him fix my stuff 100%
*UPDATE:* The "spool valve" showed up from Honda the next day and the lady is on her way again! From a $6000.00 estimate and a story of, "you need a new engine lady!" to a $400ish dollar bill and have a nice day. I'd say that is about as good as it could have ended for her. If something doesn't seem right folks always get a second opinion. This car would have ended up in the scrap yard because they were not going to sink that much money into it. Have a great week!
-Eric O.
@@SouthMainAuto that's awesome news you're the like legit car whisperer.
They reached too high. They should have just sold her a new wiring harness.
Dr. I! I sure wish I had a technician like you in my area! Very good diagnostic skills and technical skills!!
That’s awesome! Thank you for all you do. We need more auto repair specialists like you out here on the west coast
Knowledge is everything Eric , your the guy who goes that extra mile , maybe Billie Bob looked at it with his dungarees on 😂😂😂😂😂😂, well done sir credit to you , your customer will be so happy , she will no doubt give them a call to let them know 😂😂😂😂
This was my car - super thankful for South Main Auto and their kindness and expertise!
you are lucky to have ended up at SMA. "You're in good hands with SMA and Eric".
Glad you found SMA. Eric is an honest man.
Eric is the best. But it’s a bit too far for me to drive to his shop from California.
Excellent "googling" skill.
You are SO lucky; honesty earns less money ... please take Eric and Mrs O to lunch
Imagine breaking down and ending up at Eric O's shop! How fortunate.
Play the lottery that nite
That lady hit the jackpot this time
give her credit for finding him/
ima bet pure luck
years ago when i was 1000 or so miles away, my family had a Dodge Intrepid (sp?) break down, and the dealership couldn't get us in for a week (we had to be on the way home by then and we couldn't do what we were there for) ... somehow it got to us we'd "need a new transmission" .... we took it to a local shop (that i am sorry to say I am not sure it exists anymore... this was over 20 years ago mind you) and after doing some diag work ... well i cant remember what part it was but it was like a $150 part or something i think. The Dealership wouldn't even send the part out, so an assistant at the shop drove to the dealer personally to pick it up. like 2 or so hours after the initial diag at that shop, we were on our way again.
MY family still remembers that shop and what they did to this day
A big round of applause for Eric. You took care of my out of town friends and for that I am thankful. And it was all because of your UA-cam channel
At $100.00 / hour, with all your honesty, professionalism and deep expertise, you have to be the best value repair shop pretty much anywhere.
4 sure
@@danleehill , I'd pay this man $1,000 an hour because the skill is priceless.. plus, I'd also be able to demand video on everything hahahahaha :)
$100 an hour? Holy smokes I'm in the wrong field.
You are undercharging your labor rate. I haven’t charged $100 an hour in 15 years! If I have to buy $5880 Autel plus $$$ yearly updates,, I can’t charge less than $150 an hour labor rate.
@@mediocreman2that’s cheap! Here are in TN, some dealerships charge $259 an hour labor rate. I charge $150 and I’m the lowest around!
"We clean up a lot of people's messes".... understatement of the year! Great work Eric.
This is the benefit of local trusted shops that care about their communities. Well done Eric old chap, good job well done 👍🇬🇧
Eric is absolutely the sharpest, most honest technician around
Yes, he is and his buddy Ivan at Pine Hollow is good too!
This shows the difference between a parts changer and someone who knows what to do. Great job Eric. Great to see Mrs. O and your daughter.
Eric, I am an old retired master mechanic , aircraft and automotive. I watch your videos because it reminds me of the 50's and 60's when there were MECHANICS rather than technicians. I was not a parts cannon and either are you. We can FIX things instead of throwing parts at it. You are old school and very honest with your customers. Great job!
The way it needs to be.
People just don't even realize how lucky they are when they break down in range of Mr. O's shop.
The world needs more honest mechanics like Eric, that was a crazy diagnosis by the other shop.
"Drat! Eric O has foiled me again!"
- The guy at The Other Shop
Damn no $600 commission again
@@Dirtyharry70585you know they're watching
Technicians don’t get commission. lol
@@evilgtidriver Oh yeah they do. It's called stacking up the hourly rate and doing it in half the time. Or go to a Jiffy Screweb place and deal with their 'hard sell' on &hit you don't need and voids warranty (*cough* engine flush *cough*)
@@Tedybear315 yeah, that still describes hourly pay. Techs get paid by the hour. An engine job that cost $6k is because the engine cost $4,500 and then there are cost for fluids and shop fees. It’s probably 12-15 hours labor. The shop gets most of the labor typically. If you work for a good shop, the tech may get 40-45%. Dealerships screw their techs and the techs get flat rate shit pay.
This was a 10/10 video, then Mrs. O shows up and it goes to a 20/10. Nice to see the Teenage Mini Mrs. O show up, have not seen her in a long time. Your integrity and helpfulness is very much appreciated Eric O.
Trinity's appearance took it to 30/10
My dad watched a guy change the hourly rate from $50 to $150 an hour back when I was a kid the second he saw we were from out of state. Dishonest shops like that are the reason I don't trust any of y'all (present company excluded), and I do as much of my own work as humanly possible. Thanks for all the great videos Eric!
I trust Eric, Ray (Rainman Ray's) and Rick (Ford Boss Me), and Eric the car guy....
Ivan is 💯 too.
@@NeverOwned what he's channel?
There’s a sign like that. Labor rate $50, if you watch $100, if you make suggestions $150. 😂
Now that is a proud dad moment 👍
Most shops won’t spend the time and effort that it takes for a complete and accurate diagnosis! Good job Eric!
You blow everyone away again.ive been a mechanic for 35 years and you are my hero.i hope to be as good as you someday.
Yeah we all want his knowledge
@@williamalbright8878 Having his knowledge, but then using it to help is the thing. I'm guessing there are some as smart as Eric, but found they can manipulate parts and test results to put more money in their pocket.
@@williamalbright8878 The school of hard knocks!
Just watched the day shift heading towards the time clock. Dragging ……….. dragging ………….. 😂. Nice job Erick O! 😊
Little lady broke down and just so happened to be close to Eric's shop! Great luck!!!
I hope she also bought a Lottery Ticket...
Mr. O you are the best hands down. I had a similar experience years ago when I broke down at night in Olean on my way back to Boston. The next day I had my car towed to the local Cadillac dealer had me spend most of the day there, when they finally check out the car I think they spent less than 1 hr, & came out with a $3500 estimate for head gaskets. (Common problem for STS vehicles) I left the car there & went back to Boston luckily a friend who was from Rochester told me of a local shop, so I had AAA take the car up there, I got a call a day later all it was, was a bad radiator he replaced it for $400.
Thank God for local shops like yours that have integrity!😊
This lady was so fortunate she broke down in your area. And then, that she found you out of all the possible choices. Little did she know she was getting the A team of auto repair. Think of all the wallets you've saved. and.. All the marriages that survived because a lone spouse didn't swap out the car and send her hubby into a seizure. Nice work as usual.
Once AGAIN, you rock Eric. That lady is probably more grateful than any of us will ever know. Thanks for being YOU.
Great video, this is just one of the reasons why we love your channel and shop in general, thank you Eric for being an honest man!
I appreciate your no BS intellect, honesty, and humor. Please keep it up.
We're all learning from you!!
Well done Eric O. And thanks for the rare triple O finale!
Man oh man... What a home run!! Whatever else those people have ever done wrong, they sure got it right this time! Great work Chief!
The audio quality on your mic is amazing because when I heard the cricket I would have sworn it was coming from behind me in our kitchen LOL . Losing my marbles!!
The cricket is standing in for the lawnmower guy.
You're not alone there. I thought, what hell it's not cricket season here.
Just because the audio quality is good does not necessarily mean you are not losing your marbles.
Yeah. Before he mentioned the crickets were taking over, I also started looking under my desk, where the heck the crickets were...
"Losing my marbles!!" --- My wife tells me that I've lost all mine... and follows it with: " You're Marbless! " That way I can't argue with her!
I was going to say the world needs more of you. The world needs _only_ you, as in people with your integrity, quality, honesty, humor, and SWINGIN' COD. What a mensch.
shiny reference there, I like.
Love the sign on your workbench
Everything is Figureoutable Excellent description of your attitude Eric O. You are a gift to your community.
I noticed that too. Great slogan.
Another proper diagnosis from the master mechanic ❤ love your work ethic my friend, from a 69 year old mechanic still plugging along in Chicago Illinois
Love it when you and Ivan can do a no parts required/easy fix. Root cause analysis is the most important part of being a mechanic/engineer/any technical service and it floors me that many folks will look at the symptoms only and not root cause. Great job teaching folks how fall in love with the problem and get it diagnosed.
Eric O. applies himself diligently to ascertain what the true cause of a problem/defect is. He is willing to put in the extra effort required to uncover the origin of the problem. A lot of mechanics are not willing (or able) to rationalize the exact cause. It is easier to throw a part or two at the problem & hope for the best. Meanwhile the customer gets to pay for their guessing!
another great story Eric, you are a hero to your customers. So great that she googled "car broke down in Avoca" and she found you. She joins the family of folks who are grateful to have been helped by you. Nice to see Trinity again, twice in one summer! cheers
Kindness is a weakness to the indecent but virtuous to the decent. Mr O is among our most decent. We all have the ability to keep our integrity but most don’t and develop bad habits that make it easy to be dishonest. Nice work thank you.
Eric that's the one thing I like about watching your videos, you just tell it like it is you don't fool any punches, you try to keep it clean I know there's other words you would like to say, lol but you a damn good mechanic and you save the lady a lot of grief thank you son
Incompetent mechanics, my distrust of them, and my love of cars and all things mechanical led me to become a mechanic myself. And Mr. O, I think you are one of the best I have seen in 35 years of turning wrenches. I salute you.
I learned my lesson on non OEM parts. 2014 Sierra with 235,000 ish miles. Went through 3 front hub/bearing assemblies in just over a year from a national parts chain. They were all covered under the warranty period, but who wants to do the same job over and over on the same vehicle. Went to dealership parts department and had a conversation with the gentleman behind the counter and he was out of stock on a part i needed sooner than later, and he was on vacation the remainder of the week so he gave me a printout with the part numbers and a phone number for the wholesale parts distributor for the entire metro. Factory parts without the dealership mark-up. Same truck similar lesson with several other parts from alternator to axle seals. I have learned OEM or do it again, and again, and... I appreciate your honesty and dedication. It is refreshing to see. I would not think twice about bringing my vehicle to your shop. Be well. Later.
Yeah, the time wasted in having the job done over and over again, might as well buy OEM - one & done.
You are clearly the Dr. House of the auto repair world with your amazing diagnostic skills! I'll gladly turn my head and cough for you anytime,sir !!!
Eric I've been watching your channel well since the test of times 😂, and between other shops stuffing up and you end up fixing it, and the pure dislike of dorman parts cracks me up, this is why you sir are a master mechanic.
And that's the difference between a good shop and a bunch of parts changers. Thank god they came to you.
As a teen, my dad’s VW Westfalia broke down about 15 hours from home with a really loud clicking sound from the engine. The shop we were towed to wasn’t a VW store but they took care of us and even loaned us a car while we waited. This was back in the 80s. There are good honest shops out there so kudos to South Main Auto for being one of them!
Master at work.. You are the man. She is happy and we are happy :)
Mr O... have to say, I've watched a lot of these videos but after this one I'm convinced you are a genius.
If I can do it, you can do it - only an honest, humble technician would be willing to make that statement. Shows character.
There was a time in my young life that I would have never used oem parts. Now, because of you and Ivan and Danner I can’t imagine using aftermarket. My family’s fleet thanks you for that 😂
When I was younger, aftermarket parts worked fine, for the most part.
15 years ago a rebuilt Autozone starter would work 98/100 times, today you're lucky if 10/100 work.
They're not even trying with these imported Chinesium parts, not sure how it's legal.
There was a time you had local parts stores that sold parts from name brands that wasn't cheap chineseum crap since reputation used to matter. So most aftermarket stuff actually worked fine if not quite as long lasting as OEM. Amazon and China have teamed up to ruin yet another system that worked fine for a century...
This here is a time when you CANNOT get OEM parts for your 15 year old ride,so the recycling yard is the best bet.
Well said, gentleman.
What we're seeing are the fruits of allowing our manufacturing to be outsourced to China, they're shipping in parts, like automotive sensors, that straight up do not work out of the box.
Even if they technically "function" they don't work within specification so it just causes more problems.
You really have no viable option but OEM post 2020, good luck because I see indefinite back-order on parts for 4 year old vehicles now.
@@jpack61108 yeah, remember when TRW made aftermarket rebuilds? Sweet!
I HATE shops and mechanics like that, it give the rest of us good guys a bad name, great video as always Mr o
Thank God there are honest people like Eric O in the world. You sir are a godsend. ✔✔👍👍
I once had a dealership tell a female co-worker that her car needed a new engine to fix a starting problem and rough running. I fixed the starting problem in the parking lot by cleaning and re-attaching the battery cables on the battery. Influenced by my fixing one problem in the parking lot she then took her car to a good "mom & pop" shop that fixed the rough running problem with new plugs and wires. She saved one plug and showed it to me at work, the thing was so bad it was a miracle that the cylinder was firing at all. (maybe it wasn't) She kept that car for another 3 years until she traded it off when buying a new car. GET THAT SECOND OPINION!!
Get that second opinion but do the dang maintenance too! I am the de facto "auto tech" in my friend group, and even people who follow oil change intervals regularly pay zero attention to plugs, brake fluid, coolant, timing belts, pads, rotors, tires, injectors, coils, etc. until something goes wrong. Most of it is simple ignorance, of course, but if you expect a machine (any machine!) to just work perfectly, all day, every day, forever... that's willful ignorance, and there is a difference.
That's why they call them stealerships.
It’s good to have the family in the back ground when you’re working ❤
After watching your channel and some bad parts ordered, I started going oem.
In my experience it’s just the easiest way to go.
Legend mate....as a retired mechanic I really enjoy watching your skills. Big fan from Australia.
My new favorite saying : "Everything is figureoutable" 😂
Saw that sticker too
It is a quote and subsequent book by Marie Forleo
I just learned a new one the other day from Dig Drive DIY... "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get."
The world needs more people like you that actually know what they are doing. Well done
That new mic works great, I thought I had a cricket in the house. I learned the hard way, any sensors I buy OEM. You saved this lady a bunch of cash, no engine needed. Outstanding.
Of all the years I have been watching your channel... this episode not only was the best so far but you gave a lady the break she needed and you were honest about it!!!!!
He values integrity over money.
22:44 LOL... Her reaction matches the owners! needs an engine angry look to I can drive it home?? smile
I love how you're always using different OBD scanners, especially now that they're pretty much over the counter and just as good for most jobs all while giving a good non-biased review. Also, that kid looks like a hockey player!
This is why I started watching your channel. Cuz you actually take the time to find the problem. I just find it funny that the dealer couldn't figure that out and their spose to be the experts.
Depends on which tech gets your car at the dealership. They are NOT equal in skill level.
Another Outstanding fix by Mr. "O" OUTSTANDING MECHANIC 😂
Love it. If I ever break down near you, I know who I'm calling. Sadly, I'm a state away and likely will never need to, so I'll just live vicariously through your videos.
Thank you for thinking things through and setting an excellent example.
@22:47 Talk about getting the side eye.....😆🤣. As usual great job, lady very fortunate to have you nearby but good job by her to know enough to bring it to you. She had a very good day indeed!
Eric, you are a stud at troubleshooting. You go from A to Z and back. And you have a great sense of humor I must add. I enjoy your commentaries.
YES, YOU ARE A HERO!!!! I just wish I lived close enough to have you for my mechanic!!
I wonder if this part was changed by another shop before the bad engine diag. Or was the pintle that soft it failed immediately? Puzzles... Another lesson learned. Thanks Mr O, you are the bomb!
There are honest shops that understand that data, and troubleshooting are critical to customer satisfaction; you are one of the few. I spent my career as a remote troubleshooter, among other endeavors, on complex electro-mechanical systems and there is no substitute for the history, the work already performed (including parts replaced and from what source), the observations from the user and any of the technicians that have been working on a device. Information to form the final result is critical... also not using crap parts that no one should be using. Great job and I really appreciate your candor and work ethic, just saying. My brother in-law runs a automotive repair shop in PA and I consider him the best diagnostician that I have ever come across in any field of endeavor.
This is why "YOU" are the man!!!
I love your videos and am always excited to see when the new one drops.
Thanks Eric O
What an honest and competent guy!
Well done, diagnosis by an honest and professional person, thank you for sharing
This is an honest mechanic. Great video!!!
Alright, enough debate, your honesty earned my membership. Signing up now. I dont even own a pilot, but the mere concept of checking your stuff before firing the parts cannon is an invaluable concept for anyone who lifts a wrench. Cheers Eric!
I was rooting for this person, 6.000 is not chump change, Glade you were able to get her going with her engine, This would really suck to be in a town of strangers to help you, Glade she found a honest man to get her home again for the best price , My God Bless you and your family, Sure be nice to be more people in the world that’s honest
that is the difference between a real mechanic and someone who just owns wrenches.....very good job
The late great NASCAR mechanic, Smokey Yunick, said most mechanics are just "parts changers".
Another great lesson from Professor Eric, I too am a believer in "you get what you pay for" , unfortunately anything aftermarket now is junk , there is too many companies in the game selling to unsuspecting consumers. Pay the price, do it right ,do it once.
I have been to Avoca, Wisconsin - but not Avoca, NY. If I ever do go there, I fully expect to drive around and see a repair garage with a big sign in front that says *ANOTHER SHOP*.
Good job Eric O.
I once stopped right down the street from Avoca, NY at the Pilot truck stop in Bath when I was a truck driver for a short time. It was there that I realized the company had fired me. They shut down my Comdata fuel card for refusing to drive during Hurricane Sandy. I rented a car and left the truck there.
This is why I love watching you work
On the other hand.....fourteen years ago, wife and I were driving down to see my mom. Three hours from home, the serp belt tensioner pulley came apart. Pulled into a small independent mechanic shop. The guy had a new unit delivered, installed it, and gave us a bill for about one-third what I figured it would be (I know my way around cars). We paid it and were on the road in about an hour.
Two weeks later, wife and took the morning away from chores, drove back down to the little town that shop was in, bought two large pizzas and a one-liter bottle of Pepsi and took it to the shop to show our appreciation. Don't know if that shop is still in business, but I hope it is and that he is making scads of happy customers AND scads of money.
Loved that look on her as she walked by. Like a cat that had just come in from the rain. Love your work Eric! Thank you!
This troubleshooting session is worthy of the Golden Screw Award. Meaning you saved another customer from getting the big screw job.
Eric: Thank you for showing us how it’s done. Honesty, Integrity and forthrightness are hard to find these days.
You demonstrate all those attributes. Thank you.
On another note and in my experience, the Honda J35 engine is extremely bullet proof. I’m on my third. 232,000 miles on the first, prior to read. 167,000 miles on the second, prior to trade. Never an oil leak anywhere. If you take care of them they take care of you. A great video, once again.
You are a true Honest Mechanic great job
Talk about living right. Broke down out of town and goes from a new engine to a little spot and polish. It'd never happen to me, but at least I got to see it. Thanks for all u do, Mr. O!
I have got to the point I rarely use after market parts anymore. Especially anything electrical and if I absolutely have to I pick my brands wisely. 😂
They are not made to the exact same standards, otherwise they would cost more!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience on a lot of other vehicles I love to see your videos you're always in a good mood hilarious😂😃👍😅🙏
So pumped to see this pop up on my notifications. Great video as always Mr O.
Hope y'all had a great Labor Day weekend 😊
the world right now is a better place because of you Eric. God bless you and your family...
Mr. O, you are too humble. I really hope this customer watches this video and realizes how inept the other shop was. Just because AAA allows them to slap the decals on their trucks doesn't mean they're legit mechanics or tow operators. often it means they are the only game in town willing to deal with the hassle.
Great video. It just confirms that a little logic, a bit of knowledge, a few tools, and knowing how to ask 'If->then' questions, you will probably solve your problem. It's kind of like life. Your presentation is very good.
Another great diagnosis and a very happy customer I'm sure!
You and diagnose Dan are my favorite diagnosing videos.
Dan is so smart. I love his videos. Super good guy to watch for sure 👍🏼
It's a dad's duty to embarrass their children. Nice repair, You saved a tourist. I've learned from you, to never put anything but OEM parts on.
You're the beat at diagnosing issues. I would go to you every time, if you were close! Keep being an honest mechanic. Watching you and Rainman Ray just reassures me that dealerships don't have the best and not the most honest people
Now this is what is called Experience! Eric could have easily said yep engine is toast that will be $ 200.00 Instead his experience said hold on horsey something sounds like a closer look is needed as in all sounded normal. Good on the lady for having doubts in the claim that her low milage Honda was toast, and then somehow she ended up getting her car to Eric. That’s a Lottery win.
The clock said you work at 6-30 in the morning.
I didn´t believe it till i saw Sleepyhead at the end of the video.
That right there - Classic Provider and Protector.
Hat´s off.
Very refreshing to have an actual mechanic diagnose this issue instead of a typical dealership parts changer. God bless you sir, if there were more of you out there in mechanics land the world would be a better place and people wouldn't be getting ripped off.
This is why you can't just take your vehicles to any old shop, if the tech's there are unwilling to do a full simple diagnostic like you did it goes to show you that it's about money and getting it in and out as quick as possible. There's a huge difference between Mechanic Shops and that's 1 are you loaded with work and have long turnaround times and then you have the shop that does number 2, in and out as fast as possible with little diagnosis. The bottom line is yes, we all need to make money, we all need to do things fast enough as to not piss off the customers at the same though, do you want fast and not repaired, or slow and repaired? This is the question always needed to ask, as a customer, I would be happier having you say hey listen it might take 2 or 3 days to get a proper diagnosis and fix. I'd prefer to spend $500 on labor then $150 on labor and dump the labor amount along with parts that are either wrong, or parts that are not of good quality and have to then go and spend more money on more unnecessary things. This is what makes you and your shop the better, the real mechanics, the real problem solvers and that's because you're willing to take the time, do the research, do the diagnosis and provide a very fair and complete job, that I know I can go home happy and assured the vehicle is and will be in better shape. Money is everything but not when it makes you and your shop look bad because you failed to do the proper step by step checks on these repairs. I have a shop by me, they are a decent shop, but by no means do they provide proper fix or diagnosis, and it shows when they are willing to throw $1000 worth of labor and parts for a $250 job done the proper way. Thank you, Eric, for providing the people a fair, and reputable shop that shows that not all shops are bad and looking to rip you off, right across the street from the shop I mentioned is another shop that my buddy runs and is just like you spends the time and care when repairing and diagnosing. Also, it's great when your video's come out, I usually check every day because they are just entertaining and full of knowledge!
Eric you and Ray in FL should be nominated for a Nobel prize if there was one for honesty and integrity.
Man just one more reason you're one of the best. What a scumbag dealer. Thanks as always, Eric.
I watch this channel a lot. One heck of a mechanic/tech that's for sure. I work on my own stuff and I am amazed at the technical knowledge of this man. I would have him fix my stuff 100%
My man you have earned your wings so many times. Way to be! 👍
God Bless You Sir! Restoring faith in humanity one day at a time. 🎉
Ivan would be proud, a no parts required repair, so to speak. Gets them home if they choose that direction.
Iván is gitty over the 320 action.. Lol
He did end up replacing it
THIS is a PRIME example as to why I highly recommend to customers at the parts store i work at to watch THIS CHANNEL!!!
EXCELLENT diagnosis Mr O!!!