BIGGEST Problem with being a mobile mechanic | Roadside Rescue

[@thealliedspy4170]

Hayes Mobile Auto Repair has a good rant where he states that you must clearly tell customers, "This is my minimum dollar amount to move my work truck to you and troubleshoot."

[@knighthawk86855]

Exactly.

[@DIYDaveOK]

Friend you *must* start billing a minimum trip charge and not buy parts until you can confirm diagnosis. You're providing a great mobile service and that commands a premium service.

[@coreybabcock2023]

Agree

[@noahadim]

I'm also a mobile mechanic and I feel your pain. 😊

[@coreybabcock2023]

Ditto

[@BV-Auto]

Likewise.

[@operationbs7610]

Always charge a trip charge..if they decide to fix you can work it into the bill

[@BV-Auto]

Ernest, please bring back the 'Cast Away' look with the long beard. Love ya bro. God bless. 🙏

[@mikeharrison9078]

You have to tell customers you have a minimum fee based on travel distance and time diagnosing problems with their vehicle, even if you're unable to fix the problem or if the customer refuses to make any repairs that you tell them are needed. All successful plumbing, electrical, and HVAC service companies have minimum fees they charge just to show up. You can always wave the fee if the repair turns out to be worth the trip. You, like everyone else, need to look out for #1.

[@johnsmith-wd5sq]

I would tell the customer that i have to charge a trip charge even if I cant duplicate the issue while I am there and let them decide if they want me to come!

[@daktrllcahobl9455]

Understood all. I was wondering about these complications of being a mobile mechanic.

[@tedwilliams8766]

your time is worth something. the wear and tear on your vehicle is worth something. to move your business forward, you HAVE to charge for your time. the customer is paying for your tools, your knowledge and skills. i hope your marking your parts up AT LEAST 40%. if your confident about your skills, offer a warranty on your work and parts and up charge 75%. i get you want to help people but you have to make a living at it too. everyone has their reasons for charging what they charge. i suggest you get some input from other mobile wrenchers and see what they charge. unless youre offering free diags maybe have a trip charge. good luck, buddy. btw, what scan tool do you use/have used and what would you recommend? thanks.

[@coreybabcock2023]

I need to start upping my prices

[@Angelo80907]

I always go by “I’m running a profit making business!” My reputation is my warranty and I charge as much as I want as long as I’m cheaper than the Dealer everything works out to where I’m happy and the customer is satisfied.

[@tedwilliams8766]

@@Angelo80907 dont just be cheaper than the stealerships and shops, do better work than them too.

[@knighthawk86855]

I do mobile mower/tractor repair, I charge for everything, the trip to the customer, and back, I also charge for disposal of oil, oil filter, and used parts, I look at it this way, if it cost me money to do, I charge the customer the same price, I include it in the job. You need to have a set of standard fees and charge upfront, your time is just as valuable as the customers, don't ever sell yourself short.

[@CharlesJohnstone-c2n]

This is when you can use an oscilloscope to view the starter brushes and have that as indication to replace the starter if the brushes are worn.

[@mechanicdudevlog8788]

99 percent of the time you dont need a scope to diagnose electrical problems. A meter and test light is good enough if you know basic electrical theory

[@chainarmor448]

@@mechanicdudevlog8788just because you don’t need something doesn’t mean you can’t use it though. Scopes give a lot more info

[@driveyour5oh284]

Tell them the rav 4 is phenomenal and they should rent one for a weekend so they can experience it.great work bro.jjst stay consistent and great things will come to you.

[@ocskywatch1]

Parasitic drain? intermittent bad starter relay ? Matthew Parker tends to feature the customer interaction when possible, and clips up the repair he has the same issue with wrong parts often, seems like you have to pull the bad part and bring it with you, maybe become a parts cannon mechanic seems like the money they save not taking it to a shop could be spent up on a few new parts that weren't actually needed or that's the way i think about things when working on my cars especially when the part is stock and aged anyway

[@deeeyewhy5949]

You should get a packout type system for when you don’t have the full truck setup, and have at least a few tools for electrical. Sk has a new packout system that looks like little mechanic roll cab sections that snap together. It’s pretty nice. I have a small craftsman versastack and it’s packed with like 200+ pounds of tools but I have electrical and diag stuff jn the small top case with my impact and electric ratchet and a battery. Some gloves and safety glasses, magnetic tray and paint pens. Then I have ratchets and sockets in the middle and pry bars hammers pliers screwdrivers and other misc automotive tools in the bottom. It’s pretty heavy and hard to move around though. I plan to get a full bank cab for at home though. Then some more cases for the packout so I can further organize and break up some totes, but being organized is key with this type of work.

[@teddbear7075]

So many mobile mechanics and diy mechs seem to use internet parts and Rock Auto which both are notorious for sending wrong parts. I don't see how they make any money that way. I am not a mechanic by trade but I was a diesel mechanic back in the 80s for a couple years but I was taught to when ever you are able to, to always take the bad part with you when getting parts. My dad even preached that to me as a kid, teaching me how to make my own repairs on my own vehicle. Ànd the could talk to some big name parts stores and work out a deal with them as far as delivery and picking up parts and they could have some other parts stores that they deal in areas that don't have a big name parts store. That is something else I learned as a diesel mechanic.

[@JohnRinaldi-fn3tz]

Do a cylinder leakage valve, more accurate then compression test

[@CC-sj8hd]

Maybe keep some general maintenance items with you for a top up service in the event that your scheduled job doesn’t go as planned?? The customer will appreciate the extra effort even if you have the wrong part or the issue itself clears and you can still charge a base fee of some sort.

[@chrxx4327]

I think you need to have a minimum, charge a travel fee or whatever. Make the customer aware up front. Maybe as a rule of thumb just refuse to work intermittent issues and focus on cut and dry fixes.

[@donaldlee6760]

I love your amazing work ethic and hustle, but you seriously need a business partner that takes over billing. Commenters keep giving you great advice which you are unable to accept due to your kind and generous personality. Being kind and generous is absolutely a competitive advantage in your daily interactions with customers, but if you will let a business partner (ideally your spouse or trusted relative) handle billing you will grow our business and ultimately help more customers. As much as you are talented mechanic and overall good soul, you really suck at running a small business. BTW - I am also highly technical like you and also a terrible business person, it's a pretty common trait among technical people.

[@BV-Auto]

Yeah brother ive had days where i diagnosed several vehicles and charged nothin...made nothing. It happens.

[@markvl11]

powers and grounds. intermittent problems like that sounds like a cable / wire might have the green crusties.

[@jeremyTallen1]

I thought about being a mobile mechanic but i ended up making more buying cheap cars and fixing them an reselling them.

[@mechanicdudevlog8788]

Ive seen good compression but when we tore the engine down the oil rings were sticking and piston oil drain back holes were clogged. So it causes it to burn oil.

[@knighthawk86855]

Here is how I look at it, by you coming to the customer and doing the work there, you same them, time, trouble, and hassle, that is well worth what you charge.

[@JDL_MobileRepair]

You forgot one common problem too. When you agree to fix one problem, and another one arises. Then the client doesnt want to pay until the new problem is fixed as well…. Thankfully paperwork prevents this from happening

[@kevinmandella]

As someone who has worked on Audi/VW more than I'd like, that honest probably was the right pcv valve, only it's just the diaphragm and cap to essentially rebuild the unit, which isn't that easy to remove but possible, the rubber diaphragm is what goes bad on those usually

[@kevinmandella]

The whole thing is considered breather valve or oil separator

[@grumpysgararge5860]

1. You are a mobile mechanic, if you get wrong parts, then yes the customer pays the travel.. because they chose to have on site service… 2. If you are giving someone one discount, then do not give them any other discounts.. like free travel, parts discount, etc. 3. Please start valuing your time, experience, tooling, etc more, because you are under valuing your self. You should feel ok charging more for your services because they are a premium service…

[@Peanut_Time]

Please put a cab in back of your pickup so tools don’t get wet or stolen

[@coreybabcock2023]

Agree

[@edy5082]

A while back I sent you a email about editing.. I am willing to help you out, let me know

[@JohnnyD1993]

Did you take the inlet temp of the catalytic converter by any chance? Iirc the engine mount comes off and then you can access the starter, but I don't remember how close it to the collector. My guess is the converter is on its way out and causing excessive temps, heat soaking the starter. Or there's just a bad brush on the starter and sometimes it catches, sometimes it doesn't. If the starter is getting heat soaked it matches your diagnostics of the starter, however that's only a symptom of another failed component. Did you run it long enough to check o2 temps?

[@markvl11]

The problem with being mobile is that you need to come once for the diagnosis and a second time to replace the parts.

[@joeandgod1]

When a no start wants to start or starts with the spark plugs out, that means the Catalytic converter is plugged up.

[@RussellBooth1977]

I know what my local auto parts stores are like in Australia, unless I go to Supercheap Auto (similar to Auto Zone in the U.S.) or Repco then I'm not guaranteed to get the right part for my car. When I went to Autopro which is probably even worse now with their merger with Bursons auto parts I kept getting sold a knock sensor for either the 3.8 litre Holden/Buick V6 engine, the L36 engine in this case which knock sensor also fits the locally made Holden 5 litre V8 engine,not the 5.7 litre Chevrolet LS1 V8 engine which my Holden Commodore has fitted. The knock sensor doesn't fit the Chevrolet LS1 V8 engine & I had to go onto eBay & order the right one, back in 2009 my local area didn't have a Supercheap Auto & Repco would've charged more than the eBay seller for a good quality U.S. made Wells knock sensor to suit the Chevrolet LS1 V8 engine. Even the local EFI specialist supplied me with the wrong knock sensor !

[@nitrous07me]

Wow is that Pacifica a diesel?? Dawm that’s loud 😂

[@JackDaniels-v6f]

I've seen engines that will start when you remove a spark plug. This is usually a busted cat or restricted exhaust. You know the poorman's compression test can tell you a lot of about an engine. Clear flood mode, or disable spark and fuel then crank engine (may need jump starter) to see what it sounds like. If you had no or low compression or flooded engine, the engine will crank freely like a broken timing belt. If you have one or two cylinders with low compression or bad valve, the starter will momentarily speed up when it gets to that cylinder. Learn how to listen to the engine when cranking to identify what's wrong. I always use a hands off approach on the initial diagnostics. Once you tear down an engine, it's more difficult or impossible Todo any testing. If a cylinder is flooded, you can remove plug, crank it over and clean cylinder out, the. Squirt 3-4 shots of motor oil into the cylinder and recheck compression. This is called wet compression test. This can tell you a couple of things. If cylinder is washed down with fuel, a wet compression test will build up a more normal compression reading. If the cylinder walls are scored or rings are damaged, it will point to a bottom end problem if compression comes up. If it still has no compression with the oil, then you are most likely looking at valve issue or blown head gasket. This is another reason you need to always remove ALL spark plug when. Checking compression. Head gasket could be leaking or blown between cylinders. Once you learn the poorman's compression test, you can easily just crank the engine and hear if the mechanical part of the engine is good, or if it has a dead cylinder due to low compression and likely a burnt valve or some other valve train problem. Good engine: RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA Bad Cylinder maybe burnt valve: ra-ra-ra-ra-RA-ra-ra-ra-RA Bad engine due to broke timing belt or chain, similar in cold weather if AL cylinders are flooded: raaaaaaaaaaaaaa When cranking the starter will momentarily speed up when it gets to the cylinder with very low or no compression. Thus causing a change in the way the starter sounds. An old mechanic taught me this my first week at Goodyear in the early 1980s. It's Auto Mechanics 101. Anyone who doesn't use this technique is likely inexperienced. You must have a good battery and working charging system. If you don't then you will have lower fuel pump performance and a weak red spark. A good battery is critical when diagnosing a vehicle. Oh you got a weak red spark and it needs a new coil? You better rethink that one.

[@loos3cannon410]

Yup 144 trip charge basic diagnostic more time needed is 40 an hr can’t be flat rate or 24 diagnostic not in a shop 😊 plus Speaicl. Equipment u need now and days to fix a car. U gotta make sound. Good your geting burnt for being nice !

[@BooneTao]

"Intermittent Issues" aren't intermittent issues it becomes more and more. Shops are the only way to diagnosis those kinda issues. Video editing can only be done with a team and post videos you can - just cause your do jobs everyday do the videos that will make most sense to teach people how hard "Mobile Mechanics" jobs are.

[@philh9238]

Tell them to bring the van to you and keep it at your house until it acts up

[@DougHinVA]

if a parts store gives you an incorrect part they didn't do as told or you did it wrong. Tell the truth. If you specified a PCV valve for a 2000 Toyota Corolla, then that is what you should get and the part store should give a full refund.

[@coreybabcock2023]

I wanna be real with you Ernst you seem like your getting burned out and tired alot please take a month spend it with your family and rest up we'll be here when you are refreshed and rested with the way things are in the world spend it with your kids and wife than we are if I was out there I would love to work with you and take off the load and learn new things but yea I hope you rest up

[@davewallace9048]

Fast clicking is a bad battery!!

[@mike-s8n8y]

Charge for all your time and dont feel bad , you are are not a charity , people who use a mobile mechanic think you are there for just them and you should do it for rock bottom price and be so thankful for their custom , i would try to do trade work if you can .

[@fredyr1125]

What headliner did you grab?

[@RoadsideRescue]

thats a wall tapestry i glued up

[@JohnRinaldi-fn3tz]

Test, not valve

[@coreybabcock2023]

Do you think Charging 50.00 a wheel to replace rotors and pads on a 2020 Hyundai Tucson is ok ?

[@wilder211]

@@coreybabcock2023 yes

[@tedvandell]

You'll notice there's usually an additional point something hours book time in service data for each rotor...over top of the time to replace pads.

[@coreybabcock2023]

@@tedvandell ?

[@tedvandell]

@coreybabcock2023 you should get a little more for the rotor. Those bolts are bigger, tighter, and should get threadlocker. That's more expense for you. And some rotors have screw fasteners that can strip or size. Couple more $$ for the rotors.

[@coreybabcock2023]

@@tedvandell those rotor screws are not nessary to replace

[@teddbear7075]

Contact Matthew Parker in OK. he has a KZbin channel he can explain how he edits his vids. And how he charges customers.

[@zacb7427]

Wait and see you have time to waste, thats the problem too you wasting time. Might as well just get a job pal you got family to feed.

[@JDL_MobileRepair]

This is the job pal

[@JustAverageJeff]

I hope you started charging a minimum don't even go look at something for less than $50-100 even if you spend 5 minutes on it don't touch it and go on your way, still charge that minimum. You can miss out on like 90% of the profit you could make if you charge by the hour and not by the job, please don't provide a service and charge by the hour the customer is robbing you if you are. I really hope you have an LLC and that you itemize your deductions and you are not a sole proprietor taking the standard its not worth it when you own your own business it's meant for W2 employees. All businesses should have a goal of $0 profit every year not that you don't make profit just that you went and grew and bought assets with the profit you did make so you don't owe any taxes the sales tax was all the tax you paid.

[@firstlast---]

Good advice

[@zacb7427]

And commercial insurance too

[@tedvandell]

Hourly rate with a minimum upfront price when they call. You can always discount the price after you're done if you're inclined, but that's your choice. Not there's. You have to earn a minimum, or your business will fail. You can thrive if you require clients to pay for your costs when providing your valuable service. Do it upfront when you first talk on the phone. It weeds out most of the unprofitable jobs before ever leaving the shop.

[@tedvandell]

You can itemize as a sole proprietor and minimize tax liability. However, your home and personal possessions are not protected as they mostly are if you get an LLC.

[@JustAverageJeff]

@@tedvandell different tax breaks and deductions between LLC and sole proprietorship as well.

[@Djmedic23]

Bro complains a lot it’s not your fault if u are called to do a water pump and they have already blown a head gasket you are getting paid either way that’s a failure of you to communicate that cause people aren’t mechanics why they called u

[@mechanicdudevlog8788]

Ive seen good compression but when we tore the engine down the oil rings were sticking and piston oil drain back holes were clogged. So it causes it to burn oil.