Not me getting called out as an automotive student who watched your fuel trim videos as part of the online resources. I don’t think anyone else actually watched the videos but I watched them and got hooked and subscribed and have been just binge watching like crazy

Not aspiring mechanic but randomly stumbled, while researching fixes for 98 sienna, what a pleasure of a listen this was, the wisdom, the amount of detail and the story flow. I sure hope in my lifetime I will get to experience the joy of being financially stable from work that wouldn't feel like a job but a reason to wake up every morning.

Hey Matt, it's Chad. I also do it for the thrill of the hunt. That's actually what I love about software development so much - finding bugs and that "aha" moment when you realize what went wrong. It's very rewarding and satisfying to me.

This was AWESOME! Thank you!! I literally just found your channel and this is the first vid I've watched! I love your stories about how you got started. I had a similar experience where I couldn't afford to fix my car, didn't know what was wrong with it and somehow, someone told me "Oh that's your thermostat that needs to be replace" and I said "I have no idea what that is, where it's located or how to change it." And they took time and told me what to do. The feeling of replacing that was insanely satisfying. I wish I had kept up with automotive repair but in my family, it was a requirement to go to Uni and study Accounting.....not what I wanted to study, nope, had to be ACCOUNTING! Just now in my 50s I'm coming back around and working on my cars and motorcycles. I love your approach of getting an engine and getting it running. Also flipping cars and diagnosis. Man you're really hitting on all the things that are resonating with me. Can't wait to watch more of your vids and continue learning. Thanks for demystifying your journey. So often it seems like pros know and the rest of us have to struggle for YEARS trying to figure things out. Your vids will definitely help speed me down the road of knowledge. Thanks again.

Haha my first car also had hole in the floor. It was Fiat Punto from 1995 :D I also experienced an incredible first satisfaction when I repaired/regenerated the LPG (Liquid propane gas) pump inside the gas tank (In Poland we can have an additional LGP gas installation installed). The installation was very advanced and imported from the Netherlands. The car was Toyota Avensis 2002 1.6VVTi, car belonged to my father, and when there were problems with the pump, he had to drive 400 km to the capital(not on cheap propane but petrol) because it was the only place where they serviced this installation. It cost my father a lot of money, just the cost of regenerating the pump was very high. My father had to regenerate it every 2 years and replace the filter. When my father bought a new car, I bought the old one from him and this situation also happened to me, but I decided to regenerate it myself. When I took it out of the tank and took it apart, my father saw it and said that I would never put it back together again. After replacing the O-rings, bearings, lubricating and replacing the filter, the pump worked for 7 years until the car was sold(I am sure it would work much longer). When I disassembled the pump, I saw that the so-called specialists, instead of replacing the filter for $8, pierced it with a screwdriver to ensure the flow. I repaired the whole pump for 50PLN (around 15USD), while my father paid PLN 2,500 (USD 630) plus fuel to get to and from the capital every two years. The satisfaction of the repair and the father's surprise are priceless. From time to time he asked me, surprised(like he wanted it to fail :P ), whether the pump was still working and yes, it was working :) Let's say that he went to the service three times, which means that he spent easily over USD 3,000 on regenerating the pump when I did it for USD 15. Imagine my feeling of satisfaction :D :D :D Thanks for sharing Your story, that was really funny to hear :)

I don't know why, but for many of us DIYers, the passion begins when we "inherit" a crappy old car and we want to understand how to make it better and make it last because we don't have the money to buy a new one and also because we are attached to it in some way. Also, we have to possess an innate need to understand how things work. Then when you realize that firing the parts cannon doesn't work and changing plugs and coils isn't the solution for everything, you start doing serious research. And here I am. Kudos man!

Matt, thank you so much for posting this amazing content and stories. You are such an inspiration. I like you have a 'corporate' job, but am still trying to figure out what I want to do when I 'grow up', even though I'm in my early 50's. Your comment about analysis paralysis really struck a cord with me. I created my LLC earlier this year in order to put into motion some rough business ideas and a rough business model revolving around automobile maintenance for the DIY audience to help keep their cars running as long as possible. This business model includes running and maintaining my own Turo fleet (started with my first car this past May) as a revenue and 'experience' stream to help feed content ideas for my KZfaq channel, which due to the analysis paralysis mentioned earlier, I haven't pulled the trigger on any content as of yet, as well as what I do to maintain my families fleet of higher mileage cars. I know I'll re-watch this video many times for practical advice that I may have missed the first time around, as well as further inspiration. Maybe one day down the road I'll be able to break into that .2%. Thanks again Matt!

Hi I’m from the uk and I’m 58 just started getting in to repairs and really enjoying it . Great channel you have so I’ll keep watching. Regards

Great story Matt! Would love to talk about more face to face in the future! A Chevy Junkette! HAHAHA! If you said Chevette fast enough people thought you said Corvette! 1st engine I rebuilt gave the total feeling of accomplishment. When it fires up for 1st time is such a great feeling! I also put all KZfaq money back into my stuff I use and show on the channel. Like the youtube silver play button. Man I've been following you for a long time! It is also great that you help people that really cannot afford the repairs. And now you have Hybrids and EV's coming on line to be fixed!

This takes me back. Thanks for reminiscing.

We share the same passion for troubleshooting. I’ve always been fascinated with just how things work.

Just watched this video 4 months later. I feel your pain with a cracked rib and bad case of the Covi , embarrassed to say an all wheel drive Yukon rolled off the jack crunching my chest against the garage door. Great video telling your story, I’ve watched quite a few of your videos and I still change a part or two but I can hear you in the background and It makes me do quite a bit more diagnostics or as much as I can. Thanks for sharing.

Hi mat....you do have the ability of explaining the format with great communication skill....I think that's something inate.....you have taught me alot..

You are a hell of a guy. I found your channel a few years back but only watched a couple of your videos. Long story short I will be going on a binge now because I'm trying to learn how to fix simple broken stuff on my 1993 Ford aerostar van. Thanks 👍

I really appreciate hearing your story. Click and clack were hilarious. They seemed to base their diagnosis on what they saw working on cars, hence their different repairs that they saw common in those cars. They helped me get over the bump on electronic ignition /Mel injection by saying most repairs were still mechanical in nature, and I had a 2 year degree in electronics . I learned lessons from my own mistakes, others, and reading about how things worked. Picked up an electronic engine controls book for college students and learned a lot. I've learned a lot from you with regards to fuel trims, and this story was so wonderful to hear. Thank you! May it inspire others. Kindness is not a great business model, but it shows your heart. I have the same difficulties.

I was watching this video while driving back to home from work and I loved it. Sorry, *listening :)

I've been watching your videos for many years, and it was great to see "behind the curtain" on how you operate a successful YT channel. Shows how much time and effort it takes to make quality videos... I was flipping cars on and off for over 30 years. Mostly cheap classic cars and 15-20 year old cars. Found out that I would have to look at 10-15 cars to find one car that had the criteria for flipping. The time it takes to find the cars and then repair them is a big issue when you get into the flipping cars business... The 50/50 YT split is crazy! Almost as bad as the deal Elvis had with The Colonel. Always thought of YT as a free marketing tool. Attract the people to your channel and then direct them to other sources - paid channel, your own Website, affiliate program, etc. Looks like you've done exactly that. Great job! Thanks for all the great videos!

Just started the video, but have to say that I really appreciate your channel. This channel was an input into a revamp of how I tackle problems with cars and all sorts of other things... stay calm, collect and analyze the data baby! Thanks dude!

Great story, Matt! You are so correct about finding that passion. I also had a life changing experience while watching a movie when I was 14 years old. In that moment I decided to become a film maker. The film was Ivan the Terrible 1943. I ultimately made a career as a film maker in the corporate world. My hobby has always been the joy of fixing cars. Like you, fixing and diagnostics is the the most intriguing aspect. Now I am retired and fix cars for friends, relatives and neighbors. I greatly appreciate your content. You always push to make yourself a better mechanic.

You definitely have a unique way of teaching and I love it. You could have an hour long video on how to turn a light switch on and I’d watch the whole thing without thinking of fast forwarding. Thanks for sharing your talents

That reminds me of the first time I replaced the screen on iPhone 5. I had the phone apart while I had to wait two weeks then replaced every component of the phone cause you had to remove everything from the back to front. I was lucky enough to learn cars from my sisters boyfriend. I was a very motivated kid because I was poor.

NERD. Absolutely love your scientific based approach to diagnosing symptoms of root cause problems. It’s a wild ride sometimes watching you narrow down the what ifs with a second video. So much knowledge in one video.

Thank you very much Matt, really appreciate you doing a video like this. So interesting and informative and a great exposé into some of your business history and philosophy.

I think the first video I've ever seen of yours was the one where you talk about properly doing a head gasket job (checking the block/head for flatness). Since then I've been hooked and I knew you were tapping into a demographic that didn't really have people producing content aimed at them. There was one other really small channel I was watching at the time called old skool funk, it also seemed to grow since then but the content is a little bit different now, which is totally cool. I'm glad both of you are able to see growth and I hope it continues.

My love of cars was inspired by being forced to ride a school bus to high school. My 73 valiant saved me from ever stepping foot on a school bus again. Also a friend let me drive his mustang which at the time was the most powerful car I had ever driven. I have an SN95 mustang parked in my driveway to this day.

I’ve no intentions in following in your footsteps as don’t have the space nor the confidence. However, always enjoy learning from your videos, and was great to hear your story in how you got to where you are today. And to be recognised by the pros like Paul Danner etc, that’s defo an accolade - well done! Keep up your great work.

That's an inspiring story. I'm a little surprised it was entirely self taught, I had always assumed you worked in a shop for a while to get started. Flipping cars gave you the critical volume to make progress, which would otherwise be very slow. Even in a typical shop, the learning curve as far as diagnosis goes can be slow, too. Most of the new guys end up on the tires and brakes track, and diagnostics get funneled to those with experience. Even in a dealership, one may not get the breadth of experience with other systems. I can't imagine making money flipping auction cars, there is too much dishonesty all through the system.

ugh, i feel for you man. I broke a rib about 40 years ago and i still feel it lol

Looks like life gave you a hand of really bad cards but you still managed to win the game. Of course I say these judging only from the KZfaq vids. Congrats.

Matt I want you to know that you are touching soo many lives with what you do and say, I got access to youtube back in 2011 and among all other automotive channels out here, yours was unique, since then I never missed one video that you uploaded and getting free access to SBQM was a dream come true for me. I started flipping these cars also here in South Africa although our market still has huge challenges but I will get there one day is one day. My first engine overhaul was a toyota tazz 1.2cc. Now I have an issue with a bmw E46 320d, I finished the engine overhaul but the damn thing doesn't want to start, my cheap scan tool showed me something about loss of communication and I took the PCM and the EWS and key to another shop. This guy told me the PCM is damaged and needs a replacement but he needs R4000($231.22 more/less). I see myself opening my shop if I can be able to lay my hands on that Thinktool Euro Master2 because I could fix this PCM myself if I had one. Thank you so much for what you do Matt.

one of my closest friend did and said the same thing! about smokey and the bandit car!! he bought one! trans am with the bird!!!

Enjoyed this immensely- many thanks and all the best.

Its amazing what you can achieve when you have both a passion and a robust work ethic, fuelled by an incentive. Great video and I particularly loved the biographical stuff.

Loved car talk! Lots of laughs with those guys. I never really read to much into the parts changing aspect of them too much, just really enjoyed their wisdom and the show in general. Even Scotty is fine with me. His audience is not seasoned master mechanics and he does help people. Enjoyed your video thanks for the wisdom.

pops told me to try reading haynes and chilton when i first got into cars so i did. literally taught me nothing, everytime i had a question about whats wrong with my crown vic id try and check those manuals when i got stumped. same thing, always too general haha. thats a good idea on the car talk notes though. i like that

So I watched the electric series. Very nice. Good explain of resistance. I finally know what it is I like about you and your teaching method. Kinda like the bob rossi of automotive repair. Awesome thank you sir.

Congratulation on the silver play button!

I LOVED hearing your story. Thanks for sharing everything you did in this video. Very valuable information!

A great video! I really enjoyed it! Lots of good advice for those who are starting, or even thinking of starting, their own businesses! Looking forward to many more fine videos from you!

I love your intelligence Matt. You explained very well, I can see myself in the route you’ve took. I wish I had the confidence to have a channel of my own. Until then, I can watch the likes of your channel. Keep up the great work. 🔧🇬🇧

This is quality content, just wanted to thank you for putting this out there.

Great story. Mine was similar in the automotive field. I still have a very high passion for cars, but moved on. I was fined by the state for selling more than the allowed cars per year. I moved on to houses, in which I don't have 25 years of experience. I am at the 1995 Corsica phase😅. The profit potential is limitless though.

Dude I love those damn stories man you kidding me!!!! Those were great lol

Matt, thank you for sharing this, inspiring, شكرا جزيلا

Sir your life story is a very powerful inspiration to all. Much respect.

I liked this video so much I watched it a few times. Great work ethics and I appreciate the information.

Lots of good information! Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

Very inspirational I'm glad you persued your passion. I've learned a lot from you, I'm glad your feeling well

Thanks a ton Matt. KZfaq taking 50% that's about as bad as the government!

It is testament to the quality of this video that I watched all 82 minutes without a break - and I have absolutely no interest in making a business from auto repair. I only hope that those who do realize just how valuable this business acumen really is. What's more, they're getting great advice for nothing; business advisers charge big bucks for advice half this good! And much of the information here applies to online marketing in general. It's win, win, win. [36:46 "You're going to need the salvage yard - in the wintertime - that's kind of a pain in the dick!" LMAO! Way to anatomically exclude your female viewers, Matt.]😆

I was taking driving lessons, and realised I had no idea how a car worked, I decided if I wanted a car, I should know how to maintain it, so attended night school, got hooked, then attended university.

Loved to hear your story on how h got started

Had a chevette in my backyard growing up, 5 speed manual. 100 % garbage car, but I loved playing with it

I love diagnosing.

Awesome video man. Thanks

you finally got a round tuit. those things have been on back order for years.

“Going to the salvage yard in the winter which is kind of a pain in the dick…” I absolutely exploded with laughter at this. Great video. You’re an inspiration. Thanks

I really enjoyed your stories. Thank you. It's more than just learning car repairs.

loved Car Talk ! : ) Great video. So glad to know we have had some what a similar up bringing. : )

Your the man dude right on one of my mentors thanks

Thank you for an amazing content.. Many great advices and helpful information . I very much enjoyed your story.. best of luck

Awesome story, I really enjoyed it. You have done well Find a passion, that is a part of a successful life. I was like you after watching smokey. I bought me a 77 Trans Am. Had to settle for the red one. You could not find a black one. Lol

Analysis paralysis, exactly what I suffer from. Thanks for a awesome video Matt

I just want to say thank you for this video in you put in perspective of how you do things which makes me feel better about the videos that I have seen in the past it has made me angry know that I understand how you operate and that makes me proud to be able to watch your videos I wish I could shake your hand keep up the good work and someday we will meet I also work on cars but I can no longer fix them do the back injury but I still stay up with the technical part of it as much as I can and where I can. I too like to help people if they do the work I will guide them in the right direction on fixing the car so at this time I want to thank you again and again I would like to shack your hand. Ps I live in northglenn maybe we can meet some time

I set my goal at 1000 subscribers after a year, didn't make it, kinda gave up on the channel, the editing part just takes up so much time to keep producing. But I got a lot of skills in repairing (also thanks to your channel!) and it really is amazing when you fix a stall-when-hot V8 engine for €300, out of which €200 was to buy a smoke machine.

Funny... I hadn't realized how deep you were into the smokey and the bandit paradigm... Good to know. No golden phoenix on the hood? Maybe you'll get that on later.

Wow the differential rebuild series was awesome. I have to admit the 5 volt reference circuit vids hard to follow.the can video why do I keep saying bit lol very nice series.

Great video!! Thank you so much. I love your channel.

Who could not like this story ! In a lost world you headed straight to the unknown and you adapted you learned not to mention profited. But what really gets my heart is you did not want to take advantage of the customers you knew were of need.. glad to know there's another... Not trying to sound funny or anything, I will help anyone childhood was a lot more grown-up and it should have been all my so-called friends burned me are you know what if they needed help today I would not deny food and shelter. Not knowing you from Adam , you would be one I would one just as right now up hold high respects and honor... Sounds crazy bulshit I know. You have the values as I and above all the morals of upbringing. You're a good man and you're going far you attacked every problem you taught yourself not kind of like you said you did you did I wish there were more . Please don't think I'm funny I give credit where credit's due and Truth

Hey Matt this video had me laughing I could relate too how you first fixed a car feel 😂 felt good too when I first fixed a car then the thermostat he knew how too install it 😂 for 210$ 😂 thanks made my night last night!!!

great business model for KZfaq..

An amazing deep dive. Thanks.

I learned alit from you. I think I'll join the (your) pay channel later or real soon like !

Dude your awesome xx

Great video, thank you for all the info.

Great video Matt thank you very much

KNOWLEDGEABLE Schrodingers box Thank you very much for sharing it Take care and have a great day KNOWLEDGEABLE Schrodingers box From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

This video just saved several people from making a huge mistake.

We had a Chevette growing up - it was our family's first brand new car LOL

Great story, however if you added some seafoam...... LMAO. keep up the great work!

great vid pal

Thanks

12:45 yes!!! That feeling!!! ❤

45:35 IF HE HAS MONEY FOR WEED HE HAS MONEY TO FIX HIS CAR😂😂😂😂😂😂

Dwayne of Realfixes Realfast is another O.G. diagnostic KZfaq channel. He's currently doing some great videos.

Great story Go on

Matt enjoy your videos , started watching the business model video. That is something I would like to get into I am a retired automotive technician, I see you work out of your home garage as would I great time no on the LLC something I never thought of, do you have any insurance for the business? Do you get any problems because your home is not zoned for business. I live in a rural area any neighbors close to me I work on their cars,any advice in making sure my personal property is protected would be great or will the LLC cover that. Thanks in advance keep up the great channel. Jerry Rural

Sorry you got covid Matt. Im in bed with it now. Lol. Good to hear from you. Ive been busy. I work as a Trainer for Diesel Laptops now in Bolingbrook Illinois.

I have been making good profits because of you and others thank you

I subscribed during the excellent fuel trim videos. Seems pretty clear that you need support from something like Patreon to build up a new channel these days. That and hair loss products😆

Sounds like he found the American dream in the garage

Hi Matt, I enjoyed shem. I always wanted to know what kind of a person you are. And I enjoyed knowing that . Just tell are you a Scientist. Moshitoa south Africa

Really appreciate you sharing your story. I had asked for this awhile back and you came through! I’m curious if you carry liability insurance and how a side business affects your taxes.

Yeah often times I get that from clients. Oh it's just a part you change and you changing me this amount.

Thank you sir👍

I charge 60 per hour for labor but diag is around 80.

U Inspire me

They're lots of reasons why am subscribed to your channel. I'll mention some, then I'll give some suggestions to those that want to use KZfaq as a money making machine. I'm not able to be in KZfaq all the time for some reasons. Yet I get here and watch some channels for some reasons as many, to search for exact answers, how to fix something etc. I'm subscribed to your channel for some reasons sort of perceived off of you more than mentioned in this video. This may sort of give you hints of things you do, yet you didn't mention but the most important thing is to do, than to talk, although talking is key to communicate to others what to do so, talking can be more valuable than doing, as not many could recognize. You go to the root cause of a problem. I do that too. We need to get to the root cause? The route may be important but the destination is more important than how you get there. If we were to wait until we can travel at light speed to get somewhere we still be not moving, therefore not having a conventional training can be of great advantage to us, the do it yourselfers. So, that's why schools were invented, to give to more, quicker, more education of a matter wiser like encyclopaedic people had, yet who would've learn it, their alumni. Now the school system gives most too much info, too much unnecessary info, etc, so when any professional gets out wants to rip us off and some may also it justly, or may be expensive justly while others can get worst if on top of being expensive our fixed things continues to break when we're treating them right so, one of the keys in life, and this will be a maxima one day, is, "to find a good fixer, mechanic, doctor, anyone that can resolve problems, from the root and that those problems get fixed in a way that they last the longest, and that person not be as expensive as most, rather considerate or reasonable in its charging". This maxima may have variations but you get my point so, don't underestimate yourself just because you weren't educated under certain school. Be happy you found out your way into great or best possible fixes. About making money with youtube. They're actually 10 best highest paid money makers in KZfaq. Find them. Either imitate them or, learn what you can from them. I recommend you 2 channels. They're some you may go for and is ok but this two channels may teach you some of the things Schrodinger's Box does, I do, and some fo and have success in what they do, and at least we survive. Ryan's Toys Reviews & Andrew Camarata. This two channels are packed with Masterminding how to make money in KZfaq. I don't know if Andrew is one of the top 10 money makers in KZfaq but it won't surprise me it get there but you'll find the to 10 earners. Ryan's toy review channel was attacked once KZfaq changed the policy to "if your channel is oriented to children, you have to mark it oriented to children" this was made to protect children of predators. If I had contacts with Ryan's parents I would've said to them "do not mark it for children's" leave it as is. Why? Because the parents are the ones finding them, and deciding for their children to watch Ryan's toys reviews which for two years at least made the top of the money making earning with 20M I read once. This channel in itself will teach you this. Children, parents, mother's, education, guides for children, etc, is a great eternal traffic or public that will constantly need to consume goods, therefore, if you produce for children, you may survive, as a minimum. And you'll find out Ryan's quick made some changes, I don't know how he's doing but this is a brilliant child with brilliant parents I think will do impressively in life. Also genuine as Schrodinger's and Andrew. And the topic on the Ryan's toys reviews will be that, reviewing toys, simple, fun, clean, pure. As life should be. May God bless Ryan's family! Andrew Camarata, in my opinion a great person I utmostly respect and from time to time I go to to find simple to the point how to fix things. This is a gentleman that lately is speaking up more but note, in many of his videos he don't or barely speak yet, he has millions of viewers why? Because he resolves problems. So there you have some ideas. Be genuine. Resolve problems. Be as clean as possible. And you may at least survive in this life. The fixing don't have to be as a surgery. Check Chris Fixes Cars or Erick the Car Guy, they're doing simple sometimes things we all may get the "I'm going to do this myself and safe some bucks" decision. Thank you all. One day when we get more freedom, I may be in KZfaq, I don't know. I made and posted a video, minutes before they murdered my mother in front of my eyes in a hospital in Florida. Is a scandal and millions are at risk of losing their lives in Florida. I've spoken to several key people but, it's being hard to be heard on that topic. Was a horrid crime Floyd style without the knee, that theme, is extreme delicate but, I hope one day we can talk about it better, in peace! Protect your families and do your best to all! Much success!

Yes I don’t like to give the people the car with problems I sale the car until is fix

I want to buy a used car to try and flip. Money is not what I'm after. If I can make a good amount that would be a bonus. I just want something to work on to try and figure out the problem. It is just how I'm wired. Having said that I do not want to obviously lose money and time spent. I think I have a good idea what to inspect on a car but I can't do a compression test on any car. Sometimes sellers don't want you doing it and sometimes it takes way too long if you have a difficult car to get to the spark plugs on...I'm thinking variable compression test is the way to go. Only problem is no way of seeing actual numbers. If all cylinders are equal compression could still be low for all cylinders. Is there an amperage I should look for to confirm compression is ample