30,000 suscribers in the video, 122,000 suscribers when I get around to watching. Your videos speak for themselves. Keep it up man. Love everything that you post.

I am another one that watches for the commentary. Grew up watching my uncle work on cars - he taught 5 year old me a lot about wrench sizes to fetch and also a lot of colorful commentary.

"A fresh kill" LOL

Trust us, it IS the sparkling commentary. Gems like "I hope to have this done by the end of the day" have us rolling on the floor.

Love these engine replacement videos. I like sitting down for 45 minutes and just watch pure mechanic work. Keep it up the great work and happy new year!!!

yes Eric we watch for the commentary .. plus it is fun to see someone else struggle :)

No only do I like to watch these, I like to watch them more than once. And yes, it's more about the commentary. Watching it today with 543k subscribers. Unreal man, unreal.

As a person who works on things I enjoy watching someone else, so as to learn, the commentary makes me laugh, the interaction in the comments section provides a sense of contribution and community. In short a good place to relax.

If you drilled the 2 holes in the hood hinges, each hinge, you could put it back together real close and easy if you install 1/8" pop rivets in the holes to help the install.

August 2018 and you are up to 165k subscribers - a lot more than the 35k you had when making the video, and well deserved too! I am recently out of hospital, and have had a lot of time on my hands, so have been almost binge watching your videos. All of them are simply fantastic, and you are the type of guy that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a friend to. Thanks for the great videos, please keep them coming! Best wishes from the UK

I’m watching in 2021. Considering putting a new engine in my 2012 Tucson. You’re a good teacher.

The confidence and speed with which you work elegantly illustrates the difference between a professional and an amateur. Its a pleasure to watch an artist at work.

Thanks for the help with some of my projects Eric. The 1973 dump truck is close to having front brakes and you might be surprised what I found. Video will be coming out later. Have a great year! Wyatt

I like to use a paint marker and draw an outline around the hinge and the head of the bolts. perfect hood line up everytime. Plus they are great for timing marks and serp belt direction.

“We just passed 30k viewers...” at the time I watched this it is 472k viewers. You’ve come a long way baby!!! lol thank you for all the great videos 😀

I really enjoy your comments and your work. You are a very good family man to boot. I have worked on cars for over 40 years. Through the years vehicles have changed considerably and I have adapted as well. I know the difficulty you go through each and every day and I commend you for your thoughtfulness in addressing the viewers and giving some of them great tips to follow. You could certainly move to Texas and you won’t have the rust issues you do in New York State. We would be happy to accept you here. God bless you and your wonderful family for making this a truly family adventure.

😂😂🤣 i JUST did one of these 3.8l swaps on a 2000 grand caravan this past friday, not a fun job by any stretch, BUT! It pays my bills and keeps me busy.

Ive always enjoyed removing the subframe and having everything on the table right in front of me. I would be devastated not being able to pull out the bottom on a count of rust. I have had numerous body bolts break on cab removals for the F series and are always terrible. Ive been a Tech here in the south for 16yrs. A northern Tech such as yourself is faced with problems we down here cant even imagine. Your the man sir and appreciate the upload.

I admire what you do Eric. Keep it up. Makes me wish I lived closer by so I had a trustworthy mechanic to turn to when shit goes sour in my DIY garage. Always love seeing mechanics who put the same care in the vehicles they work on as me.

It's always nice to see one of your daughters helping out in the shop...

Eric, I love your videos! As a fellow technician, I enjoy seeing what NY techs see with rust covered cars. If I ever move to upstate NY, hopefully you can use another master tech! Keep up the great work, man!

You are not wrong about the cowl coming off on the Chrysler vans, but is on the vans between 1996 and 2007.

I gotta tell i watched your chevy silverado engine replacement and did everything how did and successfully swaped my motor out with another one and want to say huge thank you for that video on it i could not have done it with out your video i dont have no one to help me with my cars and you was my teacher on it much appreciated

Cute Lil puppy! Congrats on the new addition to the family!!

Eric. Great video's. It's the 1996 - 2007 Dodge Caravans that have the removable wiper assembly. Keep up the awesome video's.

from Germany ... Happy New Year Eric ...

I've never owned a van in my life, let alone any Chrysler product, but I find myself watching your videos and your processes. It's very entertaining. Thank you.

Like a surgeon Eric knows where everything is and works quickly. I remember what a mechanic said long ago. "Cars are not made to be repaired. They are made to be assembled in 90 minutes."

30k subs to almost 300k subs in 2 years... keep up the great work Eric O!

Most of that vehicle was manufactured and assembled in Canada. The official R/R procedure is to yell "Watch out for the moose!" and the entire drivetrain jumps out. To reverse it you yell "Hey - the moose nose stew is done!" and it leaps back into the vehicle and drives off.

Outstanding job Eric. I just watched your video on changing Caravan front struts, then did it myself. I'm sore and tired, but everything went perfect thanks to you @!!!!!

I work for an emergency vehicle shop and when we rebuild ambulance modules, we drill two 3/16” holes in the hinges. One on top, and one on the bottom. During reassembly, we use rivets to line the doors back up. Works great.

Beautiful pup Eric.

Glad I don't own one of these. Eric, your videos are the BEST!

I'm inclined to agree with Arthur below me. This is why I love watching these videos; you accidentally break stuff just like the rest of us, you admit when you screw up and you have the best shop hacks.

You were right about the wiper but coming off on the Caravan, but not that generation. On the previous generation it came off very easy. Love the puppy!

good stuff Eric O, like the videos you make.

btw Eric numbers don't mean much these days.. Chrisfix has the most followers of all mechanic channels and he's not a mechanic himself go figure! don't get me wrong the guy is very cool and his videos are top notch but it's just to stress the fact that you shouldn't stress about numbers. I think you're the best mechanic I've come across so far whether online or in real life period

I like your "repair" videos the most. Nothing flashy, just down to business.

"Calm down Eric" Ok, it is relaxing to watch someone doing the work.

I talk to my viewers too when I'm working on cars. Only I don't have any viewers, my wife thinks I'm nuts. Maybe I should put up a video camera so at least i don't look crazy.

anyone seen the latest handbrake hack from eric the car guy.... and he keeps bleating on he's a master technician!!!!!!! eric o is the master

I like that you show the process warts and all. There is not a tradesman out there that doesn’t go thru the same process even with years of experience. Like the channel, I have learned a great deal. U R a real teacher when it comes to trouble shooting. A++++++

Always nice to see Mrs.O no matter how briefly.

On 2003 and older Dodge Caravan The whole assembly comes out

01 town and country has cowl assembly that can be removed,i have one.makes it easy for maint/repair especially those plugs .

Eric, those Caravans are everywhere! I changed a BUNCH of AC evaporators. What a fun job to pull the dash out to access the heater box.

Funny that you mentioned the Croil issue. I gave up using the stuff after my third can in a row stopped spraying and there was at least a third of a can left in each. That was several years ago now, so I'm sure that they are well aware of the problem. Switched to PB Blaster, and other than them not having a spray wand with their cans, I have had good luck with it. Really enjoy your videos and sense of humor, Eric. : )

My Brother used to work as a parts driver for Bumper to bumper Auto parts in Pinellas county Florida .He got Huge discounts on all parts for him or Family ...I had a 1996 Kia that had a bad front motor mount .I called all part stores in our area for that mount .All stores quoted me $126.00 for that little mount ..I was like screw that I'll go to the junkyard ...My brother said " Hang on before going to the junk yard .let's see what my boss can get it for you ."" My brother came home from work that night with the brand new mount With recipe and warranty ... $16.00 .....It was always the same with all other parts ..a part could be $300.00 and my brothers manager would sell it for what they paid for it .like $50.00 ..What a mark up these part stores have .Unbelievable

happy new year Eric & Vanessa all the best for 2017 Thanks for the knowledge and laughs from 2016 Darren UK

always an enjoyable watch on the SMA channel. Thanks Eric

Back in the hot rod ding days when we were swap in motors, I used a self tapping sheet metal screw on both hinges, worked like a charm! Happy New Year!

What I have for jobs like these is my Rubbermaid (I think) plastic 5 tier shelf that I put on casters. I typically work between it and the front of the vehicle and when I pull things off I turn around and place it on one of the shelves. If it is going to be a while before I can get back to it I can always roll it and all my parts out of the way. I don't earn a living with my tools but that rolling shelf sure does help with organization and speed. Thought I would pass my little tip along to others.

Quality tools are cheaper than the junk ones in the long run.

Yup ! Your commentary makes the engine swap videos really interesting, along with all your other vids. This channel should have at least half million subscribers for real.

I have an '04 Pacifica with the 3.8. I took my engine out the top (no lift..no choice) but I removed the entire front fascia section, which was very very easy. Then the radiator and some framing that held it, all easy and quick. I then had a ton of room, I didnt have to lift engine high up to clear the front end as there wasn't any. Look into it next time!

Hey Eric. That's a common thing with Kroil. I used to work at a vintage British sports car shop and the cans always went flat early. I think that stuff is so slippery that it kind of lets the propellant leak out. But you really need that stuff on old British iron so we kept using it. Just punch the can and drain it into a spray bottle.

you are awesome, I learned a lot from you. Thank you god bless

Yes I love to watch these. The commentary is frosting on the cake!

I think that it's great that you post the videos.it helps the less mechanically inclined.good job!

you love making these vids so you can showcase all your fancy new tools 😂 nice work

Ford Windstar cowl comes out complete allowing the engine to come out the top.

Always impressed at the mileages on the cars you work on. Here in the UK we have a weird culture with regard to car mileage, anything approaching 100k miles and most people consider the car to be reaching it's end of life and it prompts most people to get rid quickly and buy (well, rent mainly) a new one. Nice to see this old bus getting a new lease of life.

This guy seems like a genuine and nice person

I'd work for you for free no kidding. Great shop environment and friendly atmosphere

I changed my 05 town and country 3.8 engine as it had a rattle noise. I found a ultra low km motor cheaper than dirt. the autopsy on the old motor showed the camshaft lobes worn making the lifters rattle. not sure if that's an issue with these motors or if I got a soft cam. I pulled it out from the top also.

Thank you Mr O. Happy new year to you and the Mrs O.

Eric- you certainly chose a difficult job. I'm getting nervous watching you. I'll be with you to the end. Time for part 2.

Windstar and I think the older caravans do

I have had great longevity with the Chrysler vans I have owned over the years and they are not hard to work on for me.

It's definitely because of the commentary... and the banter with Mrs. O hahaha! :) But also because of all the odd problems that crop up on the bigger jobs... and how skillfully and quickly you slam them out of the park. Cheers for the videos from Australia :)

My parents old caravan had antifreeze leaking issues. The pipes or hoses kept breaking cause of pressure I think it was. Brought it to a few shops and kept breaking and getting ripped off, until a guy like south main auto fixed it really good and hasn’t broke since. amazing mechanics, we don’t appreciate them enough.

Happy New Year SMA! Used the Astro LED wand under sink to see and make it easier to replace bath sink faucet 😉Ok, not a car repair but...damn great rechargeable LED light!

Hey Eric,You on the right track thinking the entire Cowl comes off! But its on Chrysler/Dodge Vans From 96-06 only.. :(Great video BTW!

love my Caravans, were on our third one, got well over 200,000 miles on our secomd one, still had original alternator and most other accessories, finally traded it in on a new just to get a nice up grade!!

I am amazed that you can work on automobiles without resorting to "grownup words"! I will give you a "pass" on the Miata clutch job, during which, I'm fairly certain, you referred to "one who engages in coitus with his female parent", although just one time. I have owned and operated an independent (much too "independent", according to some suppliers, vendors, and, especially, customers!) auto [but I fix almost everything else, too!] repair facility for twenty-five years (after working as a mechanical engineer, among other things), and I regularly find myself condemning many/most automotive engineers/designers/bean counters (the worst of the worst!) to an eternity of misery snd suffering, using the most unsavory terms (I was also a United States Marine!). Your restraint has earned my admiration, sir.

Windstar is the one you're thinking of, had to replace struts on mine about 5 months ago

good video i haven't finish yet but i got surprise too after removing the windshield wiper cover.

Welcome back. I watched your old videos and enjoyed them while you were not producing videos.

happy new year Eric O

changing an engine in a dodge mini-van, my choice of tools would be a gas wrench (aka cutting torch).

You said you appreciate viewers for their ideas if they make sense to you. Here's my tip. The next time you pull the hood on any vehicle with the windshield washer on the hood, cut the hose between the hood and the body instead of trying to remove it from the hood. You can get a straight splicer for the hose for about a buck at any auto supply and it takes about 30 seconds instead of 5 minutes and there are no broken parts. The reason I watch your videos is they make me wonder why I decided not to be a mechanic after training for it and become a welder and pipe fitter instead. All those little tiny things like: Rusted in and broken bolts because no one who came before you ever concerned themselves with that little thing called corrosion if they had even heard of it before. Vehicles designed by engineers who have obviously never worked on anything more complicated that a wheel barrow but had no fear when it came to creating and building something with several thousand parts and pieces that can be easily installed in a nice warm factory on a partially assembled car before all those other big chunks got in the way. Being wet and cold all winter from laying under cars that started to thaw and all that ice water coming down while other people left the shop doors open at -30 while they ferried cars in and out while wearing their parkas and insulated pants. Skinned and bloodied knuckles from tight quarters and frozen bolts that you can't see but can feel if you don't wear gloves and dwell in their very own private black hole that's normally just beyond where you can comfortably reach. Customers who got irate when you asked them if they knew about general maintenance like oil changes, checking oil levels, and why they didn't do them. Manufacturers that just keep making things cheaper and cheaper with an interesting mix of imperial and metric parts and generally ignoring the fact that some one has to keep these crates on the road by actually working on them without mangling their plastic replacement parts that used to be metal or maybe going the other way and install a computer or touch screen that N.A.S.A. would maybe like to have for the next Mars shot if they could just figure out how the damned thing works. Trying to determine what is wrong when the customer says its a "thunka thunka clank wwrrrr" noise coming from somewhere under their car and then when you figure it out then complains that their car shouldn't really need a new transmission when its only got 200,000 miles on it and worked fine all last year and can't you do something less expensive or maybe they should just leave it and buy a new car and will get back to you in a day or two and you know you just blew an hour and will never see them again. Tools that you use every day that cost a small fortune that friends and family borrow from time to time and return in pieces and then say they are sorry and then, if you're lucky, maybe replace it with something they picked up at Harbour Freight or Pep Boys for $20.00 and is made out of the alloy known as Chineseium and you know you are going to have to deal with the tool guy giving you guff when you have the nerve to ask for a replacement based on that "life time warranty" that they gave you and claiming you abused it and how you owe them because they are going to catch it for giving you a new one at all or maybe they will insist it go back to the factory for analysis as to why it broke and you will just have wait 6 months to a year, providing the courier doesn't lose it along the way, while they decide whether they will give you a new one or not. The endless stories from people about the guy living somewhere else (but they forget where) that got 200 miles per ounce and had a 1000 horsepower out of a 2 litre four cylinder and how the car maker bought it back because they weren't supposed to have it or they had the dealer mess it up because they didn't want the secret getting out because they signed a deal with the oil companies and how you always know in your mind that when you try to explain the general physics to do with energy and the amount of work it can do based on all of the given variables that you have accumulated through years of training and hands on experience they think you're an idiot or you're calling them a liar which might not be a bad thing because maybe they will just go away and never come back. Trying to figure out what possessed the engineer to use a left hand thread on the bolt that you just broke with a 3/8" ratchet on a non rotational part located in the very bowels of someone's car that you said you would have ready in an hour so they decided to wait out front for it to be done. How about the hours and hours spent trying to install a "universal" part just out of the box without modifying it in some way which will void the warranty and then when it's totally destroyed coming to the realisation that the reason that it's called universal part is because it won't fit any known vehicle in this universe..........the parallel universe maybe.......and the maker is still in business because no one ever returned one to get their money back because there wasn't enough left to return. And finally, how come the worst vehicle in the parking lot is yours because you never get time to work on it. Ah yes, those were the days............LOL

I have used the 1/8" drill bit method, and I have had the hood off my MGB too many times to count, and it always aligns perfectly.

Engine swap time!!! YAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! KEEP EM COMING MR O!!!

Does Mrs O ever hear you talking to an object on a tripod and think you're crazy

I might be crazy, but I remember the 06 Caravan 3.3 the whole "cow" comes off....

Eric O, Hi i’m a retired Chrysler/Plymouth tech that worked on the mini vans since they were introduced in I believe late1983 and I’m yelling at you because your so close to seeing the 4 fifteen or eighteen mm (cant remember the size for sure, too much carbon monoxide over the years🤪🤪) bolts just under the windshield that are holding the cowl to the firewall and I wish you could have heard me but of course you can’t. I did quite a few engines in them and always pulled them out the top no problem but I always pulled the wiper module and i also pulled the radiator/condenser out to give me even more room. I was always afraid of damaging the radiator core and that would have been an expensive mistake and I’d have a pissed off customer too and no tech wants that. I do enjoy your channel and will continue to watch. Ooo and i under your frustration with the rust you deal with because I did all of my work in Syracuse, THE SALT CITY. The acetylene torch and a big hammer were my best friends most of the time. They got it made down south!!!!

Keeping the faith waiting for part 2. Great video.

I don't know why but I get the feeling that you're not a Chrysler/jeep person..My father in law an I have been going around and around about the decline in their quality over the years. He keeps saying I started with them and will continue with them. Sorry dad. But I don't think they makem like they use to. LoL

i think you were referring to the ford wind star.. the whole cowl comes out so you can change that side of the motors spark plugs...

30k subscribers haha. You've come a long way! I just found your channel and I absolutely love it. Keep up the good work!

Hey Eric , 2000 grand caravan that whole cowl comes off , can't remember the previous or following years. Love your videos and knowledge. Keep up the great work.

It's been my experience that if you want some form of critical internal engine failure let a soccer mom drive it. Soccer mom's use 2 throttle positions: none of it and all of it.

Love those engine swaps. Some cussing is allowed Eric. Question? Do you find yourself talking to yourself when your not recording? I do it all the time and the wife is asking "who are you talking to" My answer is "someone smarter than me" Profanity ensues.

I've been watching another automotive channel on the West coast and he won't change engines because "there's no money in it". You may not make much on labor with this job, but at least your helping the owner out by taking on the job. I hope it went well. I guess I'll find out in part two. :) I hope the new year ahead brings you and your family many blessings.

Nice assistant Mr. O

windstar/freestar is the one the whole cowl comes off. and toyota sienna

I have dreamed for decades about having a shop, and a lift to swap engines using the factory method. Eric has this, working in short sleeves in wintertime, but he pulls it up and out. SMH.

Eric, you are brave! You tackle the tough ones!

Good start to new year, straight out with some SMA video fun :-) , have a great year SMA ...