When To Call It Quits...

In this video I bring you along the process of diagnosing a customer complaint of surging and poor running on a Buick 3.8. In our shop I always give the full hour of time set aside to duplicate the customers complaint but at the end of my time if I can't get the car to act up I move on. I am curious to know what you do in your shop. What's you go to method?
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Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained

[@ronberry2998]

My favorite story of not being able to reproduce the customer complaint. I had done a "tune up" the day before on a Geo Metro for a single mom who was a regular customer. At 730 am, she calls the shop frantically yelling at me that her car won't start and she HAS to get her kids to school and it's all my fault. I leave a note for my boss, lock the shop back up and drive to her apartment. Knock on the door, kids screaming, and she throws me the keys. I walk to her car and start it right up. Shut it off and restart at least 10 times. Get her to leave the chaos and come out to her car while I'm standing beside her. The car doesn't start and she's freaking out. When she stops yelling, I gently tell her to push the clutch in. Keep in mind that she had owned only this car for over 2 years. Problem solved. Yes, she was a natural blonde.

[@Knightrem]

How did you figure that last part?

[@ronberry2998]

@@Knightrem Next time she brought her car to the shop, she brought up her "blonde moment ". I asked her if she was a natural blonde, laughingly she said yes.

[@ronberry2998]

😆😈😆

[@ronberry2998]

It was all very innocent. She was a regular customer and this happened way before everyone was offended by everything.

[@paulpatience6135]

We have had plenty of that kind of stuff does give you a laugh.

[@M.A.T.T.A.L.I.A.N.O]

I miss living where I could drive for miles and miles without encountering another car on the road

[@weldingjunkie]

Paul Mattaliano I wish I did live that way in 20 min from Boston it’s insane

[@jaycon3460]

Sounds boring

[@weldingjunkie]

Jay Con it’s that thing you hate when you have it and miss it when you don’t.

[@rwdplz1]

That sounds like bliss

[@ericmcginnis9413]

Only problem with being the only car on theProad is that when police need to meet that quota and again your the only one around we'll, you see where in going!

[@marknguyen7231]

I learned as a customer to use my phone to record everything I notice while I'm driving before I take it into the repair shop. This makes sure I'm not saying it wrong and can show exactly where I'm seeing a problem.

[@SAAutoRepair]

I usually do what you did in regards to a visual inspection, code scan and review basic data PIDs. I might not have given it as much drive time. I've actually called customers while on the road test and went to pick them up. Then I let them drive and try to duplicate the problem. Some times their personal driving habits reveal the problem. Sometimes not. Thanks for sharing

[@justina249]

@@glitter_fart no one drives my vehicle. Loaned 2 cars to some friends and one caught on fire and burnt up and the other one played chicken with a tree and got totaled. So nobody drives anything I have ever again. Nobody sits in the driver seat While it's sitting still with the engine off. If anybody's going to wreck my vehicle it's going to be me. No one else

[@watcherofwatchers]

@@justina249 You have issues. Lol

[@CalculatedRiskAK]

That is actually what the dealership usually does for me. When I complain of something happening under certain conditions, they go on a drive with me so I can recreate the conditions. Saves us all time.

[@shadetreemech290]

Good idea of having customer drive.

[@anthonywilson4873]

The customer knows the vehicle and zones out a lot of noise. So they often can feel or hear the fault or perceived fault, if they show you the fault you can dial it in. It also may not be a fault at all but bad driving habits or normal driving characteristics misunderstood. “There is a brake fault intermittent the pedal hammers I think the brakes are shot. Standard ABS”. Dealt with multiple car crash recoveries normally youngsters in bad weather snow ice, standard comment “The brakes did not work”. The steering did not work. The fact that the rest of the stupid world was going half the speed might be something they learned. One had borrowed her fathers Jag while parents on holiday and totalled it. It WAS a nice V12 pride and joy. Easier to park as it was about three foot shorter, she was ok but crying her eyes out about when daddy comes home. As you do, diagnosis is methodical Start?Cold?Warming?Warm?Hot?light,medium,hard acceleration. Loaded uphill overrun. Mark one eyeball spots the probable fault exhaust could cause so many others faults. Good Call.

[@chevyman7021]

If you can't fix it, it can't be fixed. You're the most thorough problem solver I've ever seen. I just wish there were more mechanics, problem solvers like you. Thank you for the great videos you do.

[@awbrigham8191]

There are we watch his videos lol

[@Shwalker07]

I do agree the whole exhaust should be fixed right but for a junker/beater car just throw a $10 o2 spacer on that bank 2 o2 sensor and it will get rid of that 0420 catalytic converter code. That is what people do also with aftermarket performance downpipes, headers, straight pipes or even people with catalytic converters that fall below 95% efficiency. It will not pass a visual inspection (if they do those when you live) but it will keep that 0420 code away and engine light off for this problem.

[@clevelandmaker386]

@@Shwalker07 I know how to fix it......throw it in the trash and buy a old Chevy impala.....64 preferably...

[@R3YNZ]

Can't fix something that's not broken. As a Diag/Driveability tech happens few times a year.

[@kalijasin]

@chevy man, it can always be fixed.

[@jz719]

Best mechanic on KZbin by far. Thx for sharing.

[@Strongman2474]

ABSOLUTELY 100%

[@neverstoplearning382]

I agree.

[@alphaomega8373]

Yeah he is my favorite.

[@johnpavlic]

Scotty Kilmer will find you

[@justinc190]

Chrisfix wants to know your location

[@richardkey4289]

It can't be easy to make a living doing that, being a detective & finding what's wrong, undoing other people's half - assed repairs, then hearing customers complain because they think you can fix their garbage , but are gouging them big - time; Some of us out here know how complicated & difficult modern autos are , we appreciate good, solid auto techs.keepmup the good work, man!

[@montestu5502]

“It’s been running poorly ever since the exhaust was fixed.” Yep!

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

Code 420.... Ummm wouldn't that make the car just run very mellow ....

[@Bunkysworkshop]

And the munchies so more gas please. Lol.

[@MattExzy]

Top off the dank fluid, and send 'er on 'er ways.

[@scottyakoubian9238]

Code 420...”the good stuff”...

[@thunderkat3248]

Lol

[@Jewelrymaker]

Needs a little THC, erm... TLC. and a new exhaust.

[@nathanceschi5100]

I have been wrenching professionally for 12 years I just turned 30 this year. I recently started my own little shop and do everything on my own. I also always give the full hour for diag, if nothing is found then the customer can decide if they want to pay for extra diag time. I also always mention to a customer as you do, if you are in the area and the vehicle is acting up don't hesitate to just stop in so I can get an understanding of what the vehicle is actually doing. 5 minutes of diagnosis when it is actually acting up can save a lot of time in the long run.

[@offgridhomesteaders863]

Nathan, I just want to say good luck and great decision on starting your own business and I hope you do very well with it.

[@nobullshit9721]

There needs to be more shops like yours. The large corporation shops just want to charge you for everything you may not even need while only messing with your car for the shortest amount of time possible. Sucks for the customer that just needs his car to work not paying for things that aren’t broke. I don’t mind preventive maintenance or anything but shoving a lucrative amount of bs to the bill leaves such a distaste in the whole situation.

[@nml911]

I have a 98 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 Series II. It would miss when I tried to accelerate up hill or away from a light but otherwise ran smooth. The problem turned out to be a cracked spark plug ceramic insulator.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Great topic, and a tough one too. Love getting the customer involved with the diagnosis. I try to take the "us vs your car" mindset. LOL I have had a few that I never was able to get home on. The worst was a Phaeton. I was convinced the customer was doing something to sabotage the car. I even set him up.. He never did.

[@supersabrosinho]

@John Schneller especially one who calls himself a humble one

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

@John Schneller watch his channel and then comment back here again.

[@CoolArrow78233]

@John Schneller You don’t know what you’re talking about

[@EddieLeal]

The biggest complaint i have heard from customers is that they can never get the vehicle to act up when they manage to get it to the shop. Its always happens when they are out and about on a drive. As soon as comes near the shop the problem goes away.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

@@EddieLeal well .. they are 100% CORRECT .. And till this day its true. I have relatives that claim issues with their car but when they get to my house, the noise or whatever it WAS doing is GONE .. and i tell them as always, i have to catch it in the act to diagnose it

[@georgecurtis6463]

Back in the mid 70s I had a car that would not run correctly. I did everything available to us at the dealership. And I did many other things. No go, just couldn't get it. I'm very proud full and have considered one of the best techs back then and through my career. Anyway, sadly, the car was shipped off to the manufacturer to find out what was going on. Many many months later we got a note saying that the problem was found. By accident ! Seems the guy working on it could not find the issue either. Until one day he slipped and instead of sticking his hand into the fan was able to just reach the intake manifold. But it was the water channel for coolant to travel from one head to the other. Like an arch. What he noticed as he kinda picked himself up was that it didn't seem as hot as it should of. Further checking finally found the issue, the tube or channel was blocked due to a bad casting. Yes I had checked temps and such but at a stand still checking for water at the eng temp sensor. He got to check it while shall we say while it was running. All my tests showed it was ok. But not at running speeds. So a new intake manifold fixed the problem. I'm now 71 and to this day the fact that I didn't find that issue has been a knife in my side to this day ! Just a ps. Sometimes it takes a test drive for hours before symptoms appear. Never give up !

[@MrAdamske]

These kind of stories is why I love working on cars and other mechanical things. Its always an adventure to find the not obvious problem! Your awesome man!

[@Beandiptheredneck]

I had an ignition module going out on my pickup 4 years ago, it was incredibly frustrating trying to figure out what was responsible because it would die, start right back up, and then not die again for two days. Then it would die again and run the rest of the day no problem, I eventually got it sorted but it can be troublesome when it takes a long time for the issue to happen

[@georgecurtis6463]

@@Beandiptheredneck yup, we in the repair industry have had our trying issues. Here is one of my all time best fixes. I did a service on a car. This is all back in the 70s and 80s. Anyway the car came back. It would just stall at times. So I would check everything and all was good. Send it out and it came back. Now this is a simple ign points system. So we decided that I would drive it till it did it so I could figure out what it was right then and there. So drove it for days. Nothing. Then the last day for this I was driving to work and on the on ramp it just died. It was still a bit dark. So I got out and started to test. Well, there was no spark. ?? So i took off the cap and jumped the engine over and after a few rotations i saw a spark. A spark that should not be there. Looking really closely, i saw a thin thread, a piece of fine, very fine wire from the ign points to the ground part of the pivot point. About 2 mmr apart. Son of a b. When they cut the wire at the crimp point the left one strand on. You basically cannot see it unless you really focus on it. It's that fine. Anyway i cut it off and was elated that the issue was found. Got to the shop, installed a new set of points and it was inspected very thoroughly first. And that was the cause and fix. If it was not dark, I would have never seen that very small spark in the day time.

[@daleytbortz1293]

00

[@apackwestbound5946]

The fact that that incident still bothers you clearly demonstrated that you are a master craftsmen and a true professional in your trade. Beyond that level of excellence you also demonstrate commitment to customer service! Nobody knows everything always, life experiences teach us continually. If you were still on the job and that “problem” showed up it wouldn’t stand a chance against you! -respectfully

[@jeffwade6210]

After doing just what you tried to do. At our shop we go with the customer right then and there so they can show us what it's doing.9 out of 10 times they can't get it to act up . This saves us time and the customer doesn't think we are ripping them off.We are in a law suit happy area and people like to give you a bad review!

[@nealelliott]

As expensive as the tech 2 scan tool is, you'd think that it would have a better interface then the ti-83 calculator.

[@rustytoyota]

Nah the shit display is to make it even more durable.

[@thomaswoitekaitis8977]

Garbage tools to work on garbage cars.

[@apegues]

Neal elliott, 35 years of scan diagnostics using everything from Bosch, OTC, Snap-On, Launch, Auto Enginuity and others, The Autel Maxi-Sys 908 is by far the best one I’ve owned to date...Love it

[@Minecrafter-uh6qv]

@@thomaswoitekaitis8977 ??? Its not a garbage tool

[@Browningate]

Ironically enough, for how expensive a TI-83 is, they are tragically underpowered with very low-spec screens. They must all be made by the same company.

[@murrayandru7527]

Eric is a Great Mechanic , Family Guy , Teacher , Mentor , Husband , Friend and he Hunts deer ! Nothing wrong there !

[@Kanesgarage]

Hey Eric, your channel is exploding buddy! Before you know it you won’t be able to walk around without getting recognized. Well deserved, best mechanic on YT

[@cw2lido]

Oh dear lord that exhaust! Hey you’ve got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away!

[@robertevans6481]

And when to run!

[@RedArwBus]

All hacked up exhaust repairs,all universal part's- etc, when I sold retail auto parts the stories I could tell about customers coming in for parts and wanting the cheapest (battery was a common thing, many times I'd write on the slip "NO WARRANTY,NO T THE CORRECT SIZE, CRANKING AMPS)or the best one was I guy bought a muffler from me and 3 days later brought it back saying "It blowed up, with a big hole in the muffler" told him he needs the carburetor rebuilt/tune up because it backfired and blew it out,I was picking up a carburetor from the local rebuilder for a shop job and saw the same guy bring his carburetor in for rebuilding,2 days later he bought everything to tune it up and never returned

[@cardboardboxification]

Robert Evans that’s with every woman

[@burntkorn]

It’s always nice to see quality work done by other professionals! Love the muffler hack job , no telling how much that shop charged for that garbage work

[@hawkertyphoon4537]

sitting in Europe.... SMA taking me for a ride on the US countryside.

[@danr1920]

Your view will vary, we're a huge country.

[@brianglade848]

Detroit

[@RTWGraphics]

@@danr1920 100% true, but 100% false. I know he's in New York. But looks like it could be the California Gold Country too.

[@edwatts9890]

@@RTWGraphics: Or central Ohio, Pennsylvania, anywhere else in the upper midwest, and so on. The deep south, the Intermountain west, the west coast, and other places will have their own, unique signatures. Comparing America to Europe would be more appropriate.

[@crudboy12]

@@danr1920 Most of America is desert, flatlands, or this.

[@jofridz]

I agree. Fix the exhaust, and get the customer to duplicate the complaint.

[@terrybarkman3219]

You got some beautiful country around you, greetings from Canada

[@Chris-yy7qc]

Indeed. But seeing the underside of all those cars he repairs makes me think: I dont want to live there. I couldnt do this to my cars...

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

This older customer's ability to have confidence in her only means of daily transportation is pretty important. Your diagnosis was spot-on in ruling out other major and expensive issues and helps her know she is not likely to be stuck on the side of the road somewhere in rural NY. She can decide whether or not her need for further peace of mind, and her bank account, will allow her to have the catalytic converter situation straightened out.

[@thehvachacker]

The power of suggestion holds true with most people. I deal with it as an HVAC mechanic. Many customers complain of being hot and uncomfortable. I find T-stat out of calibration by a few degrees. Recalibrate stat to actual temp. Only changing temperature displayed to actual room temp. Customer walks by stat and walla they are all the sudden comfortable and happy. When they asked what was wrong I tell them what I did. We're different trades chasing customers' complaints or intermittent problems. I usually give it an hour to 1-1/2 hours. If I can't replicate or system won't act up I leave it up to the customer how to proceed.

[@poot111111]

0:29 I don't know what an "engine light" is, but I do know what a "MONEY LIGHT" is !!!

[@danc2581]

My favorite scenario is when they say... "It's been acting up for days, and now that it isn't acting up anymore I decided to bring it to the shop!!!"

[@offgridhomesteaders863]

Yup its just being sick for the week and when you feel better THEN you go see the doctor.

[@justinstevenson2061]

@@offgridhomesteaders863 haha lol ive been there. My F250 had a misfire and the mech couldnt duplicate it. I didnt get 1 street from the garage and it did it again. After getting to speed I cruise low RPM. Big heavy truck V8 gas with slightly oversized tires nothing crazy. Takes it a sec to get going, but once its going i cruise like 1500 RPM 80-90 km/h. Most people are always on it accelerating and braking over and over.... so driving style is a big part of it for sure

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

luckily no one has ever said or done that....

[@lawrencebraun7616]

Sound like the tooth ack stops hurting on the way to the dentist.

[@robertgary3561]

In fairness modern cars record a lot of data and you can often see issues with the reader.

[@sjgoff]

I had the same rule for the techs. Do not spend more than 1 hour duplicating a concern without the customer's consent that they approve additional diagnostic time. My main job as a service manager was to keep customers happy AND make sure the techs are getting paid!

[@JOHNMORIN100]

Wow what a beautyful COUNTRY RIDE WONDERFUL 1000 POINTS that made my day.... THANK YOU Mr Magoo Milo Maine

[@richardhall9815]

Love it when he yells, "Oh baby!"

[@RobertNES816]

The old 3800 V6 always had a good sound to it! I miss my 96 Bonneville SSEi 😢

[@anonymousinc6330]

As I do my 2005 Impala. Dumbest thing GM ever did was cancel this engine. The 3.6 that replaced it is a pile, though not as bad as the EcoTurd.

[@dashcamandy2242]

I was lucky enough to enjoy both the Gen 2 3.8L in my '87 LeSabre, and the 3800 Series II in my '99 Intrigue. Great sound, smooth torque, fairly bulletproof.

[@endutubecensorship]

My people. '06 Grand Prix with 300,000+ miles and the ol girl can still smoke import sedans its size on the highway. Still kinda wish it was RWD though 😉

[@RobertNES816]

@@endutubecensorship Me to. But the H body and W Body was supposed to break away from the B body and G Body cars lol. Of course it was a huge failure at first and kinda lead to the failure of corporate GM.

[@endutubecensorship]

@@RobertNES816 I've lusted after a G-body Grand National ever since I found out they were a thing. Where the 3.8 showed the world it was an ass kicker.

[@richardmiller3808]

Looked like a total hack job on the exhaust from the get go. Pretty much why I do my own work, but you do have the best mechanic channel on KZbin thus far. Kudos!

[@codydakota95]

I learn so much from your channel. I just subscribed yesterday and I’ve been binge watching during my down time.

[@mrred123]

The scenery is beautiful 😳 I love that area👍 sounds like he might have had a batch of bad gas that eventually got burned away, I should know , I have that problem every time I have my wife's meatloaf.

[@mrred123]

@Allan Sneddon that's possible as well but I couldn't make a joke using that scenario. 😉

[@baxrok2.]

When breathing in just isn't enough! Nicely done Dr. O!

[@Grooove_e]

Love those GM 3.8 V6s, very reliable if you take good care of them. It's too bad they killed it

[@bloodyplaylists1247]

we use them in rwd commodore, mine has 400.000kms on it

[@michaeljones7497]

@@bloodyplaylists1247 Great motors had a VT Commodore with over 388k on it when i got rid of it never had any major issues with it didn't burn any oil or coolant when i got rid of it either

[@stephenandloriyoung5716]

Their little brother 3300, same design, is a good 'un, too. 337,000 km on my 91 Olds Cutlass Cruiser.

[@jaywilbur515]

Its very nice to see a mechanic actually drive the customers vehicle to try to reproduce the problem. Kudos to you good sir!

[@bigblocklawyer]

A grinder and some paint make me the welder I ain't. Ave

[@joybetain8151]

Hammer to fit and paint to match.

[@joer8854]

I see the problem right there. Somebody blew their nose on a suzuki swift exhaust and installed it on your car. Get a proper exhaust, and she'll be right as rain.

[@tomgeorge3726]

Thanks for the nice tour of Avoca and surrounds Eric. You need to take us out again in a month or so when Autumn/Fall has kicked in.

[@jerseyforlife]

i havent been home to NJ in years. All your videos of driving make me really homesick.

[@tprimeau1]

I love watching you work. True talent, brotha.

[@zeke112964]

Whatta mean my exhaust isn't compliant? My cousin just finished welding class at the local community college !

[@imouse3246]

Buggering up a nice car like that, I would be afraid to look under the hood. He deserves whatever he gets.

[@hightttech]

We have a body shop next door, and the owner is so cheap that he raids our dressing room for wire coat hangers with which to weld. SMH.

[@duckwacker8720]

@@imouse3246 it's a turd Buick.

[@duckwacker8720]

Who cares if it's "no york" compliant. Just fix it right.

[@imouse3246]

@@duckwacker8720 Subjective.

[@stymiesnerdly771]

As Mike Finnegan once said, "It looks like Ray Charles welded that with his feet."

[@999torino]

I thought Big Chief said that....

[@Tommy_Mac]

@@999torino me too.

[@ChuckWood]

theyre not terrible

[@thomaswoitekaitis8977]

Every fucking mechanic I know thinks he's the best, every body's a welding expert(hint it's doesn't have to look like a tig weld on stainless pipe) ,this guy thinks one little step is going to "restrict" the exhaust, hahahah , fucking jokesters

[@djhaloeight]

😂😂😂😂

[@robertmullen2480]

beautiful area you live in, awesome scenery! and diag thanks for takin us along.

[@lemmehalone7625]

You save me lot's of money... my kids cost lot's of money... Thank you sir! I love how you teach in depth while you work. Sooo helpful.

[@robertdavis3433]

With intermittent problems, I tell them to call me when the problem starts and leave it at that. People just mess with u. Good vid

[@jmurphy1973]

I cant find fault with your method. An hour is more than adequate and if the customer wants to block out a day and pay for said day, then more power to them but I'd probably not do that, either because it's a waste of time. That exhaust is probably the root of their problem

[@boblister665]

After watching your channel for a few years I feel I know my way around town where you live. You have taken us up the hill in the past but today we got the full look at the mountain.

[@jimorangecityfl4066]

Great diagnosis. Unbelievable exhaust job. Absolutely love your road test route!

[@Carm0083]

Come on Eric you know it's the muffler bearings :)

[@glend7753]

While he's at it might as well change his blinker fluid. Pay me now, pay me later right?

[@JD-iu3vi]

Need to change the muffler coolant.

[@christianmaheu9565]

bearing?..maybe the cutter pin holding the bearing that's missing

[@wildbill23c]

No this is the classic sign of a flux capacitor low on flux, and you have to use the synthetic flux in this model ;).

[@dushk0]

It's an easy job with the right tool set. A round tuit in your bag goes a long way on every repair!

[@xcalibre222]

WOW, All those corn fields and rolling hills reminds me of Wisconsin. Nice location you settled in. Great Vids, Thanks :)

[@stevelaw5628]

That was awesome! Best 3 minutes of my day so far

[@endebtedone]

it is always good to get a second opinion and feel for the situation to feel out whether or not you are telling yourself that something is going on. I often think something is going on when there isn't but I have also had my truck for 10 years so I know my truck really well

[@dorongr]

This was worth while just for the scenery... Great video as usual.

[@AlazarAnbesaw]

What a beautiful scenery! Not a typical apartment building in sight! 😍😍

[@christopherkassner8894]

Pretty much do the same as you did. Definitely try to set everything the way the customer had it. Sometimes we’ll do a ride along with the customer at the wheel. Love the exhaust work.

[@63256325N]

I think your approach is spot on. Thanks for the video.

[@dave_yeg3898]

I'm surprised that the number of times seeing you doing road tests not once have I seen Andy or Barney.

[@ichoozjc]

lol!

[@hanskinslo326]

They're down in Mt. Pilot with Thelma Lou.

[@Crunchifyable2]

Upstate NY is like Mayberry with snow, rust, cows, million roads to nowhere.

[@markh.6687]

@@hanskinslo326 Gotta take the squad in to have that new VHF low-band radio put in :)

[@LAactor]

No but you see the motorized wheelchair guy, and that's close enough for me Vinny

[@toofast01ws6]

What a nice area your shops located in. Awesome to be in the country like that.

[@FredFlintstone21]

Kind of reminds me of Lockwood NY.

[@csb772]

I would never live in NY even there. To many liberal gun laws!!

[@Leothelion357]

A lot harder to stay busy though with the lower population. Probably why he has time to make videos and be the best tech on KZbin. Most techs are too busy to do KZbin. I definitely am 😂

[@prairietomoutdoors8360]

@@csb772 Yeah that's why I left in 2015, I moved to South Dakota.

[@ericgodfrey7652]

I would drive across country for this mechanic! Very good! Keep it up!

[@ianloyd6384]

First video I’ve watched on your channel. Very thorough. I Wish more mechanics out here in Los Angeles county were the same. Anything to save an extra minute while making an extra buck- don’t care about the job, customer, and definitely not the car. All in all.. much respect for being thorough with your work brother, & u seem like you know you shit. Good stuff 👍🏻

[@glenpolydore7863]

I do exactly the same thing you do and given what I saw in the video, I think you conclusion is reasonable.

[@rodneybrand8521]

You are not a muffler shop right... the customer needs to take that back to the person who Did that and make them fix it ... I would have never accepted that.. Dollar Tree ..lol...good one..Cheers 🍻🍻🍻

[@garrettstevensen2467]

I would NOT go back to the last “shop” and I would not allow their “mechanic” to touch it again.

[@FredFlintstone21]

Alot of ppl would look at that cobbled up exhaust and have no clue if it's good or bad, and some would just be happy it wasnt draggin on the road anymore

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Good honest assessment. Thanks for the scenic tour. I would give it back and have him bring it in when it acts up and you go for a toot with him and let him drive it to duplicate the problem. Thanks Eric.👍👍👍

[@OMAR6575]

thanks for the drive, it was really relaxing.

[@brianbolan7330]

"if I can do it", this time you didn't!! Hahaha. That sarcasm being said, you are the best, any customer should be thrilled with your integrity. You're top notch!!

[@maker000]

This is absolutely a Feedback Knock Correction issue that is being caused by that exhaust. The bucking is from the gaps on the plugs, when cylinders get too hot for the appropriate plug gap you have detonation and/or pre-ignition which then gets resolved when the timing gets pulled back when feedback knock correction occurs.

[@danielhowiesr.2593]

If you can't dazzle them with detail, you can baffle them with bullshit! Lol!

[@tommieduhswamy6860]

Sounds logical...is there a test procedure to confirm these suspicions? Without expensive computer hardware, preferably. Either way...can this be properly diagnosed provided the equipment were available? Just like to know outta curosity. Your thought process seems logical and plausible.

[@jimmyaber5920]

I think it a wasted spark ignition problem. That jalopy is a waste of any sparking.

[@maker000]

@@tommieduhswamy6860 depends on the car. For my WRX I can monitor the sensor with a $40 tactrix cable. I used to data log my car to adjust my tune and ran into this when my setup was getting too hot for the stock exhaust with a cat delete. You would watch IAT's, engine rpm, engine load and feedback knock learning. Not all ECUs work the same and most are difficult to data log unless you have proprietary equipment.

[@maker000]

@@danielhowiesr.2593 the problem with detail is people often think you're full of crap or can't understand what you are trying to convey. It's a lose, lose if you ask me haha!

[@thomastommy1192]

A really awesome fun video. I must say I enjoyed the ride around New York State. It's beautiful land up there. I use to work for a Pharmacal Company as a young man. A few time when the owners had to go to Long Island. They ask me to go and help load the van. I thought it was nice back then. And I still do. Thanks for sharing the vide. I think you did all you could do to find the problem. And I think you found the problem. I hope the owner allows you to fix it. I truly hope you have a blessed week.

[@bradley57901]

I’m a young mechanic, been working at a dealer for approx 3 years. I will typically spend about an hour trying to duplicate a cust concern. However, when I can duplicate a concern I’m driven to find the problem no matter how long it takes. Love your videos.

[@remoteviewer57]

"I Can't Explain" The Who! "Classic & Rock"!

[@ericsissons8138]

Covered by The Scorpions

[@coreyhawkins25]

I think 1 hour is enough time for a diagnosis. Great video!

[@davidostring803]

I never been to New York. Thank you for the scenic view. I hope to go there some day. Thank you for the post.

[@432b86ed]

I'm glad you moved on instead of just throwing parts at it and invoicing the customer. Before the internet and the age of information, I took my girlfriend's car to a repair shop that did just that, and wouldn't look into it further when it quickly became apparent that what they did, accomplished nothing. And that was a shop that I _thought_ had a working relationship with the car audio shop I was working for. Disheartening to say the least. You did the right thing, when too many other shops probably wouldn't.

[@robc5955]

Wow that exhaust, I mean who, why eh? Another great SMA video, from the Sherlock Holmes of the Car Mechanic world. Who thinks Eric should get commission from the local tourist board, what a lovely area.

[@frankpitochelli6786]

Wow, would love to live where there's miles of cornfields. Love the country.

[@cal4625]

Particularly enjoyed the tour of rural NY. Great vid, thanks.

[@ronwatson4902]

I think you went above and beyond.Good thinking.

[@crawford723]

Same thing on this end. Customer c’mon down and drive it till it acts up, then come get me.

[@JohnSmith-bx1mp]

When I explain what a drive cycle entails,and they can pay.me to drive it,or to do it themselves,most will choose the economical route.

[@ricanderson5717]

Back slowly away. Until that exhaust mess is fixed right, I wouldn't waste any more time hunting.

[@bigpjohnson]

An initial visual inspection would likely have been a great idea. Hate to drive around trying to duplicate a problem only to pop the hood and find something disconnected. That exhaust sticks out the bottom like a sore thumb too. But I get the methods and ways of training in his videos, plus we got 15 minutes of nice scenery too haha.

[@flagmichael]

I have to agree. First rule of troubleshooting: make everything right and see what problems remain.

[@michaelszczys8316]

True, just can’t go too awful much farther with that pipe, especially when it relates to the malfunction.

[@kenny9021043]

Eric you are the savior to the automotive world. Quality an workmanship such as yours is REAAAAL hard to find out here in north jersey.

[@rufusconnolly8489]

It took a very real faith in Mr O's dedication to doing a damn good job for me to believe this wasn't a meme video. That first few minutes sounds like AvE doing an April Fool's video of pretending to be an Automotive Tech XD You're a excellent person Eric on top of being a mechanic with excellent integrity, and I guarantee I will watch every one if your videos before too awful long.

[@richardwarnock2789]

Nice Saxophone Converter new age weldining!!!; )

[@wetlettuce4768]

Welding so bad even the USSR in 1941 would reject it

[@splash5974]

God damn, i think I've seen more mobile homes in this vid than I've seen in my whole life... Lol Small town America right there😉 You are a very thorough mechanic. Most would have gave up right away.

[@XqeDiosxqe]

over all thank you for the site scenarios. very relaxing drive.

[@Nightwing300]

Oh yeah I love every questions that the scan tools ask I just love that

[@billziegmond4943]

One look at that exhaust. I wouldn't have walked away. I would have been in a full blown sprint!

[@thomaslockhart2268]

Allan Sneddo

[@scottsmrcka2769]

In my shop I do my level best to duplicate an issue based on the information I receive when I”interview” the customer. If I can’t make it happen in the scheduled amount of time I call the customer and ask them what they want me to do. I then usually have to reschedule them if they choose to do so.

[@patricklewis1149]

As a dealer tech, if I can’t figure out what they’re talking about on the initial road test, I request a road test with the customer so they can concisely explain what they are hearing/feeling. The best person to assist on a noise concern, especially intermittent, is the regular driver of the vehicle. It becomes a game of telephone when you send it down the line from appointment maker/secretary to service writer to dispatcher. Even if you have a good writer and service manager, a lot of parts can end up being replaced because the tech doesn’t understand the complaint, especially on high mileage vehicles as they can hold a plethora of interesting noises the customer may have been accustomed to that as a tech, you find odd. That first hand customer interaction can do wonders for saving time and money.

[@supersabrosinho]

I have a strict no clunker policy with my business. There's just a point of no return with repairs. The ones that taking off a simple component involves hundreds of $$ in replacement parts, hardware etc. It's usually people with little money who want to keep their clunker going longer. I save them the hassle of throwing money at it, and recommend getting a newer one

[@SimpleLife1971]

I really enjoyed the ride, such beautiful country! Wide open spaces, farms, fresh air and South Main Auto............it doesn't get much better than that!

[@johnovegas]

thanks for the scenic tour of the local area. It's harvest time.

[@crisprtalk6963]

I can name that tune in one note.. "I Can't Explain" The Who.

[@7777777777e]

I was sitting here singing the song while watching the video and didnt even realize why.

[@jamesmac8424]

I would have left that song on if I were Mr. O. And it's somehow apropos for many of his diagnoses.

[@TheThreeLeggedChair]

I love when you drive around, nice area. I wonder if you can get a ticket while driving with a scan tool.

[@hnobleh]

I enjoyed the ride through the countryside!! Thank you.

[@stiltsmiller1539]

Thanks for the ride in the country. I needed it.

[@joebush5463]

i would do the same thing EXACTLY u can only spend so much time bring it back when it happens

[@JoseChavez-pf3ro]

So much for sightseeing that was quite a rush though 😂🤣

[@petem6291]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos, If your scanner has engine load percentage parameter , a high number means clogged exhaust .. you can double check by removing the O2 sensor and test driving or using a vacuum Gage , when your going down the road the vac Gage will read zero ( bad clog ) G.M warranted these back in the day Pete m

[@worrellbrowne4140]

It's good to see that your the only mechanic who still test drive the car and come up with your own feedback.hear in Boston that is a thing of the past.

[@supersabrosinho]

If you own a Honda take it to the Oriental Car King in Brighton. Those guys are honest and great mechanics!

[@edwardmyers1746]

First! Love your worth ethic eric, I've learned alot of great information and had a good laugh too!

[@monkehbitch]

Oh look, a first commenter!

[@edwardmyers1746]

@@monkehbitch yes! 😂

[@florentan]

"I Can't Explain" The Who. Fitting tune.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Ahhh very good! Good ear!

[@ivansperanza]

You’re a great tech Eric, i wish i had a few more years left in this business, it would be a great honor to be employed by you.

[@earl5149]

Thank you!! As a fellow mechanic I do the same thing tested drive it to find customer complaint, the P0420 and the custom exhaust work more than likely is their problem,however that is a headache just waiting to happen!