YEA PEOPLE...HE'S RUNNING A BUSINESS...NOT A CHARITY.

As a 20 year veteran of the Automotive repair industry, I can say the South Main Auto Repair channel has to be my favorite channel on KZfaq. Love this channel.

“You’re not paying for 20 mins of work, you’re paying for 20 years of experience”

I can't imagine why anyone would feel you shouldn't charge for this and a 1hr minimum is quite fair. You do excellent work I wish we had a garage around here like yours!!

A lot of mechanics would try and sell a MAF sensor but Mr O run his shop the right way. Good job sir!! Much respect!!

Absolutely nothing unfair about charging for your time..if the customer had the knowledge they would have done it themselves and not brought the car to you.

A lesson from a long time ago. Never let yourself be penalized for being good at what you do.

Most people don't understand that the equipment that we use is quite expensive and has to be constantly updated not to mention the facility and other tools it takes to repair vehicles. What you do is honest and the repairs are verified. Keep up the awesome work!!!!

That's sounds fair you should get paid for the work you do!

I say just being charged the diag fee was a bargain. Places near me would've thrown parts at it.

When I was doing repair, we were never allowed to charge for diagnosing. I was always upset over this as I never got paid to bring the car in, clean off the snow, diagnose the car, and then not able to get paid for it. I totally agree that your time is worth every penny you get for it. A doctor who diagnoses your problem/issue gets paid, why not you.

I say you're charitable enough as it is, sharing all that hard earned experience with the rest of us.

It's not about cleaning out the MAF, it's knowing to look there in the first place. That's why you get paid.

Absolutely nothing unfair about charging for services rendered. You're the one who posses the EXPENSIVE diagnostic equipment and the knowledge how to use it.

Mr. O you deserve every penny that you charge. You found the problem in no time with a accurate diagnosis. It could have gone a lot worse if he took it to someone else.

It's awesome of you to charge him for that as you well deserve the money. Almost everyone else would charge for a new Sensor and not even talk cleaning it . Keep up the amazing work. If I ever break down out of town I hope I find someone like you. LOVE THE HONEST WORK!!!!! YOU'RE ANALYZING!!!!!!

A thank you and a job well done does not pay the bills. Cold hard cash does.

Tell that guy to clean his air filter every once a millennium.

Oh man, I'm learning so much from you, been a mechanic for a long time and you are making me a lot better, thank you.

Good job South Main Auto! I don’t mind paying for repairs, but I do mind getting fleeced. I wish you were closer.

I would definitely pay this man his money I know I can trust him to give me the truth!! and fix it right.......

You’re worth every dime, buddy. Every dime. Plus a wise man once said; those specialized tools ain’t cheap! And he was right.

Love your videos Mr. O! They are not only informative and educational, they are also entertaining because they're funny! No other auto repair videos can match up! Thank you.

One of my favorite channels. Really like watching and sometimes just listening to your videos while working.

“Would be using brake cleaner if weren’t making a video”...LOL...Love it! 😊

Been having SMA withdrawals. I know it's the busy time, and recording takes a lot of time... THANK YOU FOR THE UPLOAD. All the way from Idaho

Always head to your channel when I have an issue I am unfamiliar with. And I always learn something! Thank you for sharing your expertise!!!

So stoked right now! SMA finally has swag! Glad I get to support the channel all the way from the west coast! Thanks for the great content SMA!

Just like an electrician coming to a house and resetting a breaker. Done it too many times ( I even ask first to try to save the fee.) Unfortunately if you can't do it yourself, you owe the experienced technician for their time. Well done Eric!

Unfair? That owner got a fantastic bargain.

Seems like very few shops ever try to clean MAP sensors anymore. Why buy a new part when the original can be cleaned? That's the society we live in today. Maybe if the customer cleaned his air filter more often, he wouldn't of had this problem in the first place. Everyone of these K & N fans seem to forget the maintenance of those filters is a lot more than a regular paper air filter. Great video.

I learned the importance of cleaning the MAF sensor. Here in California my 96 Impala SS was randomly throwing a CEL code that said the idle speed is too high. I couldn't see anything unusual in the tach. I replaced the Idle Air bypass valve. The CEL returned a few days later. I cleaned the throttle body. The CEL returned a few days later. I found a leaky vacuum hose and fixed it. The CEL returned a few days later. Then, as a "hail Mary", I cleaned the MAF sensor even though visually it looked fine. Haven't seen another CEL since then. My car passed the smog test with flying colors!

Good video! You get paid for what you know, not how long it took. Most would have replaced the MAF. The customer was lucky to have you work on his hotrod Ford. Happy Father's day.

It's when they charge and DON'T fix it that's the problem. Like when you get cars from other shops, no doubt those hapless owners were charged for all the labor and the parts they fruitlessly shot at the vehicle. There's no need to have to explain yourself for charging when you HAVE actually fixed the problem. Good on ya Eric 👌

I live here in Knoxville, Tennessee. And it don’t even matter if you’re sent to the dealer with a fairly new vehicle, nobody knows anything when it comes to diagnose the problem. You’re a great mechanic Eric I believe is your name. I wish we had a few in Knoxville Tennessee. I’ve got a problem with my truck right now.. Dennis

Thanks for Including the Info about what data you should be seeing at the same time as data you are seeing. This is very helpful in the learning process. I'd like to also compliment you on adding comments about why things cause issues and the differences in the the way different auto brands differ. Videos like this really help aspiring th Techs to benefit from your prior experiences. I wish you would consider putting together a premium channel for us regular dudes. I say this because out of all the KZfaq auto teachers ...its you I can understand the best....thanks for what you're doing!

If anyone asks you why did you charge them for an hour if you fixed it in 10 minutes just say that it took you x years to learn how to fix it in 10 minutes.

An hour of your time for such a simple fix? A bargain at twice the price - and I got to learn something. Thanks muchly.

Very fair for what you charge they get there vehicle back fixed and you pay your Bill's win win great video Eric O

Great video. I never realized how integral and sensitive the sensors can be....Thanks for making these videos and sharing them with us.. 😁

Happy Father's Day Eric. Spend it with family eating steak and icecream then put out another video 5am Monday. Lol. Thanks for what you do.

You charge for what you know, not for what you do and customers should understand that. Best regards from Vancouver Island

I can’t expect people would expect you to work for free? Thanks for the videos.

Good job! Love to see a fellow mechanic with passion and skills. People forget that everything there has to be bought and replaced at some point in time. I tell my customers that I am not there to them a favor, but am there to make a living, and it is that simple! Thumbs up from Holland!

I say he is lucky it was just that simple fix. But his air-filter well that is another story. Have a great father's day Dr Eric

I can't believe people would ask if you charge for that repair.

Thanks man, I didn't get the long term and short term fuel trim relationship before. Every day is a school day

I'm no weatherman, but you'll be seein' more than a few inches tonight baby! To anyone saying anything bad about him charging for that: A) he is there to make a living. He has to pay rent, pay for the tools he uses, and support his family. B) Any shop is going to charge for that. I have worked at (and quit) a few shops that would just say the MAF sensor was bad and give the customer a good ream. This guy is a class act mechanic.

Nice! Drive it like a rental! :) I really enjoy the fact that you fix things, and not bust out the parts cannon.

In my shop we've had people come in for a diagnostic and then decline the repair, then they throw a fit when they have to pay for the diag "you didn't even do anything!" or "i knew that's what it was already!" and then people who agree to pay for something then complain why it costs so much once the work is done.

Great video! To me, it points out a truth, that if a vehicle is in good condition, any poblems that occur usually have a simple remedy, but finding it is most of the battle. That is where we need your knowledge and expertise.

Hi Eric, Great job on this truck. I am backyard mechanic myself. Enjoy watching your shop videos. Like your test drives. Have a good day.

Entertaining and informative..that's SMA videos,and it's why I signed up as a Patreon subscriber,keep up the good work Eric,cheers from downunder.

You have to charge. That's why your in business and want to remain in business. I think it was totally fair

The comment at the end about getting paid really resonated with me. Why is it that some customers expect to get a repair like this for free? I get sick of explaining it! Anyway, this was a perfect example of understanding how the system works and how to interpret the data, and it was done efficiently. Good work 👍

Watched this episode again today, 8/17/20. The bit at 22 minutes about jump starting the jaguar for the lady in the hospital parking lot made the second viewing worth the trip.

You only charged them a one hour diagnostic fee? I'd say that's mighty generous---many shops would've tacked on extras like "R/R MAF sensor", "MAF sensor cleaning", etc

Why he got off very lucky,, you fixed it for a diagnostics check and a quick fix and that's all what a great deal.. very good video thanks..

This is the one and only channel to watch on fixing different things on different cars it's the number one channel it's the bottom line to it this guy's really good and he's just a normal working man that does things the right way or tries his best to do things the right way and normally they come out perfect bottom line the best channel to pay attention to in my book thanks

I have the same truck. My scan tool shows MASF (sensor 1) at 0.04 lbs. and (sensor 2) shows voltage which was very responsive to throttle variations. Scan tool used is an AUTEL MK808BT. As always Eric, another great show. For some it was a no brainer and for some it’s a eye opener, you never know what a lot of viewers need to see on Y.T. University .

No problem here, you time is valuable.

Gotta pay the bills sir. Nice diag. Thanks Dr. O!

Another fine job by South Main Auto! I am constantly learning what to look for. We all have to make a living.

Yes it does work . I did clean my air flow sensor with some crc carb cleaner took away my issues . fixes air sensor problems fast .Ive taken alot technican courses too.Watch you tackle these jobs is inspiring to us all . Thank you for doing what you do .Being honest and getting paid for it.

Maybe one day UNICEF will get into the car repair business, but until then you're the man to see!

There should be a keep alive memory reset under functional tests. Good video.

A very timely video as I have to clean my MAF and replace the air filter. Thanks again for letting me learn once again from you Mr. O.

SMA, come for the commentary, stay for the automotive expertise. I had a evap code being thrown, thanks to my visual inspection, saw the vacuum line on the charcoal canister was torn. Saved myself a parts cannon load! Looks like I’m learning something 🤔 Another great video, thanks Eric!

Great job Eric. Your a very good tech. I'm a mechanic down here in Arkansas. Mosquito country.

I had a pine needle on the maf lean it out to the point it wasn't driveable 👍👍👍👍👍

Reminds me of the story about a Lawyer asked to take care of a legal problem for a client. He said 'no problem...I'll just write them a letter which should resolve the problem'. The client later gets a bill for $1000. He goes to the Lawyer and complains that it's too much for writing a letter! The Lawyer says 'OK...how about $100 for writing the letter then? 'That sounds better' says the client so the Lawyer writes him a bill for $100. Then he writes another bill for $900 saying 'this is for knowing WHAT to put in the letter'. You GOT to pay the man for his knowledge when you can't figure something out for yourself. Eric is an unusually competent and honest fellow and anyone in the area should be thankful to have him available to fix your vehicles.

I subscribed because for some reason, I didn't see your videos on my youtube feed anymore, and you teach me a lot of technique!

How is it even a question if you charge or not? You're a mechanic not mother theresa... Keep up the good work Eric!

Great video Eric! I have to comment on the last part about being asked about being paid. The thing about it is everything is simple after it is diagnosed. Many people are under the impression that a shorted wire is a simple thing. Well, where is that wire shorted? How long did it take to find it? better yet, how many years did you put in to gain the knowledge needed to find it? These are too often overlooked by customers. Great job and great find brother. Keep it up!

I just watched your video randomly as it came up automatically after something else. I have absolutely no need to know anything about this topic (or up until I have this problem with one of my vehicles anyway), but thought you'd like to know just for "grins and giggles" I watched the entire video because you seem to be an interesting fella and kept the "tutorial" fun. I like learning random stuff totally unrelated to my day job and interests- good for the brain. Win-win! Now I can't wait to throw my new-found knowledge of MAF sensor issues into a conversation. A guy could even use brake cleaner, but...

This stuff fixed my lean code. I used the throttle body cleaner as well and it got my ride running nice and smooth :)

If you’re gonna run a K&N you better plan on cleaning your MAF regularly.

Once had a customer that had a mosquito in the MAF. Car quit and wouldn't run. Gives new meaning to term car has a few bugs in it.

Always enjoy your teaching style!

Your video are clear and full of information plus your added humour keep them coming

1 hour and an expensive scan tool, not to mention your expertise. Sounds like a bargain to me!

Yeah. When my stuff needs fixing I like to hire someone to fix it. And I sure don't mind paying them for it. Thanks, fix-it guy.

No FREEBIES the man has to value his time and education. He has a family to feed and a shop to pay for!

I know I am late commenting however I agree with most of the comments here. My grandfather turned wrenches in the 40's - 70's (told me he had to make his own tools over the years). I've been hurt $$-wise by franchise owners in the past. Find a person you can trust, like this fellow, and there are no problems. It is very hard to find trust like this. Thank you.

Nothing wrong or unfair about charging for your time and knowledge 👍🏻

HAPPY Father"s day Eric and a 1 hour charge is quite fair .Cannot tell if the mass air flow sensor is bad or just need a cleaning.

Eric: I've been in the automotive technical field for a long time. (28 years with Ford Motor Company) You are a diagnostician and not a mechanic who is a parts replacer. People pay you for what you know, not for how long it takes. You verify and verify some more and then make a call on what is wrong. This saves customers money every time vs a parts replacer. Keep up the great work and I enjoy your videos as I learn new things right along with you.

Just wanted to say because of watching several of your videos it gave me the courage to pull the head off my car to replace the head gasket as well as the rest of the upper engine gaskets, water pump, and everything else I can do and get to while the head is out of the car. All the local shops were quoting $1200-1800 to do just the head gasket, umm no LOL. So I'm just about 1/2 way through, its all taken apart, have to clean all the mating gasket surfaces off, get the new gaskets put on and get it all back together, so hopefully next weekend I'll get it all back together. Just so happens its the first time taking anything like this apart on a vehicle. I've done a couple of small engine head gaskets in the past, and figured well this is just a small engine x4 LOL. Thanks for all your wisdom and giving me the confidence I can do this too. So much money saved. Got the gasket set online at Rockauto for $20 for all the upper engine gaskets, and I had to buy a 17mm wrench and socket which I think was about $15 so I have $35 into this repair...much, much easier of a bill to swallow than the $1200-1800 that the shops wanted, and I am betting they wouldn't have done anything else, maybe would have replaced the intake & exhaust manifold gaskets but maybe not...and I highly doubt they'd be doing the water pump which added another $25 to the bill so $60 total, with all Felpro gaskets. So hopefully it runs after I get it put back together HAHA!!!! Don't see why it wouldn't, it was running when I parked it last month due to the signs of a blown head gasket, and luckily I paid attention to the signs and immediately quit driving it and just parked it till I could and felt like working on it or finding someone to work on it. I figured since it was a blown head gasket its days were numbered anyways, and for the $20 gasket kit, a couple tools and a water pump all for $60 its well worth the time and effort if it runs afterwards, if not lesson learned that I am NOT a mechanic HAHA!!

Of course you should charge for that! A customer is paying for your expertise and tools used. I don't why people get upset over that...

Eric You're are really a saint.. with all the time you put into your work as well as teaching us viewers you also to me are giving me the ambition to get restarted in doing auto repair again.. Thankyou so much for sharing the ambition and your precious time . Love your video's Keep up the awesome and fantastic work Cheers

I always enjoy your videos - LOVE your Attitude!! And, I always learn something. Thank You.

An honest technician! I always learn something. Thank You!

Great little story with the Jag. .. .. It's rarely ever an easy job to help someone. At least with me, it's always a process, like in Eric's case with the lack of fob, key, battery, etc etc. Lol. An hour later, all is finally well... 😅😅

Eric, great job as always. If I may, I wanted to add a few things based off the video and a few comments below. 1. This was a great training opportunity as you showed the various MAF/BARO & FT changes after the BARO PID updated (yes, based off TPS/MAF..not MAP like most :) ). It's important to see the the TOTAL FT's are not only based off the MAF/O2 relationship, but this also proves the BARO influence (see on the FINAL numbers). 2. I've seen below and in my classes where techs/DIY'rs think cleaning a MAF is as good as replacing with a NEW (not reman/rebuilt) MAF. In some cases you can get close to NEW performance. However, many times you cannot. MAF plays not only an important role in FT, but also timing, EGR and transmission EPC (Electronic Pressure Control) performance/operation. Not to mention MAF output characteristics are not linear, there can be areas of airflow that under/over report from a cleaned MAF. Less likely with a NEW MAF. So, for a shop...that has to warranty a repair and wants to make sure timing, EGR, transmission and any other monitor/functions stay within specs.... a new one may be the best answer. Thanks for sharing and hope my info above might help some reading the comments.

My God! You must get a ton of suspension work too? That road was hammered!

Can't stop watching, I love this guy

Like the Fluid Film shirt. The stuff works. Sponsored by New York salt distributors.

Love the short/no intro. I don't watch KZfaq for long intros.😃

Thanks for taking us along.

Before CRC came out with the spray cleaner we used isopropyl alcohol in a plastic bag and threw in the MAF sensor. A few shakes and then light air pressure to remove excess alcohol. I still use it when I'm out of CRC spray and I did just that this evening. I clean the sensor on my own vehicle every few years. I worked in repair shops for decades. No problem with charging for what you know.