Hoping to use this video as a quick reminder that before you get to involved in any repair just give things a quick look. Don't touch but just look. You never know, sometimes you can strike gold and get right to the root cause or at least find some good direction. -Enjoy!
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49 thoughts on “Sma quicky: visual inspection for the win!”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MarvTV says:

    I've HEARD that mice detect electrolysis. It's how they find water.

    …and also why they chew through wires. They think there's water.

    Peppermint oil is a repellent.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brandon Link says:

    This lesson saved me just the other day, I replaced an oil filter gasket and got everything back together only to have a surging/stalling idle. The scanner told me misfires and a MAP sensor, but before loading up the parts cannon with 3 new sensors for $280 I decided to take everything back apart to retrace my steps and look over every thing I had touched. I took another look at the new throttle body gasket which I noticed didn't seem right when I put it on but assumed it was right because why wouldn't it be. I pulled out my original which was substantially thicker and found this gasket goes on the other side of the throttle body, old gasket installed and idle speed fixed. After I would have waited 2 weeks for the sensors to come which wouldn't have fixed my problem my next step would have been to tow it to the BMW dealer where they may have diagnosed it as a bad throttle body, which would have fixed the problem by accident, and billed me $2,500 because I ordered the wrong $1.88 gasket.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Efrem Williams says:

    Found many amazing things thanks to a V/I: a/c not working, pressure switch unplugged, No EGR flow, unplugged. The best was a misfire on a Camry. Wires chewed up by meeces, found chicken on the engine cover and down the intake. Eyes don't lie

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Your Mechanic Next Door says:

    If you follow manufacturers diagnosis procedures every single one starts off with a visual inspection of the component or circuit, if there’s something obvious then clearly that’s your issue!! Use your eyes people we spend so much money on flashlights so use them

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Charlie R says:

    Visual Inspection – found a broken vacuum line. Win!

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Franks Precision Guesswork says:

    Rodents chewing on wires is a national problem. I worked in the cable tv industry for way too many years. The term “squirrel chew” was a common report as to the cause of an outage. Rumor was that the cable manufacture used peanut oil in the manufacturing processes.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jussi Kuusela says:

    I have been living in the faith that the O2 sensor pipes its reference air through the sheath (yellow here) that surrounds the wires… and the wires inside are just normal wires that you could solder and heatshrink, as long as you don't obstruct the sheath.
    BUT, and this is a big but… I might be wrong.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bill luzius says:

    No it was a good one

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ozzy Krahn says:

    He didnt use honda red electrical tape

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Charman says:

    Great video as always, what are the crimp pliers that you used on the butt splice repair on the O2 sensor?

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars edac1078 says:

    I can look also!

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars codemiesterbeats says:

    Its always sweet when it turns out to be something relatively simple.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jorge fernandez says:

    My wife complained of a hesitation in her RAV4. It ends up that the air intake box was full of acorns. If that wasn't enough, they half filled my grand Cherokee air box as well. The visual inspection is one of the best tools you have in your tool box.👍👍

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ULTRA MAGA PIMPERNEL says:

    Good find, Eric!

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars YH says:

    Great video Eric. Thanks.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The Car Doctor says:

    its possible this vehicle came out of Jerkwater. Dr Jake would be proud for your find and fix. Blessings Dr O

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roger Riggins says:

    Don't drop your butt….connector

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Salutations says:

    "Just fix what needs fixin and move on" happened today for me. And its not the first time. Good sage advice.

    Sometimes ill think "while im doin this, i might as well just….". Its been a lesson! I think i made out good today, but theres always tmrw.

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Chris The Other says:

    Ah, the controversial "visual inspection" technique.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adam Kane says:

    Do you know how many guys would have not worried about those little clips/fasteners and just plugged the new harness in and let it hang?

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars lingenfeltera says:

    SMA, I know how you like to solve the root cause of the problem, so I want to know If the bill of sale for this repair job included a cat?

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joseph D'Angelo says:

    Hey that was a hungry little fella he'll from all the seeds that he left behind and everything else looks like you made a house in there or he's trying to keep up the great work

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Schmied says:

    Those harnesses would be good places to apply Honda's 4019-2317 Rodent tape.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Antonio Claudio Michael says:

    Very nice visual inspection and repair Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Antonio Claudio Michael says:

    Great video Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Willy7212 says:

    Hi Bud. I have never given you a bad comment because I think your videos are so informative. Really get a kick out of your sayings. (Heres your problem Lady) (Give her the beans). Please keep the videos coming. You have helped me out a lot of times. Thank you so much. William from southern Ontario.

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Bernardino says:

    “Never Cry Wolf” movie, Munching on mice for science.😀

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brad C says:

    So, did you clean off the mouse's nuts?

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Raymond Horvatin says:

    Makes sense to me

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ole Eggers-Larsen says:

    I´m at a loss. Eric showed off a Bluetooth scan tool that ran off a cellphone with bidirectional control I think… could someone please link to it ? I can´t remember in which video it was mentioned.

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John santiago says:

    I always tried to get a good visual inspection plus customers complaint before I jump in .. good stuff 👍🏼

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jorge fernandez says:

    Good Job. My wife was complaining of a hesitation on her Toyota RAV4 and it turned out that the air cleaner was Full of acorns. I mean FULL. Those critters love to chew wires and hide acorns in places you would never think of. Keep Up the great work!

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! John Braun says:

    Eric, what cordless 3/8" ratchet do you use or recommend?

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ken schneider says:

    How about a rear break shoe video?

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars miguelluismusic says:

    you help me bro bust through walls mentally watching you work bro…

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars katman77018 says:

    Scotty Kilmer , my homie down in Houston now has 3.5 million subscribers. He is the only man I would let work on my car. Yep sure is .

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Don_ECHOguy says:

    Got a nice 97 Chevy Silverado and the mice, piss, shit and nest in the air cleaner box, also have six lawn tractors and not one nest under the shrouds or any chewed wires. Go figure…

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Vernon Hall says:

    U the man

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jan Garber says:

    There is another YouTube I follow from NY. state. Andrew Camerata. He is a pretty good mechanic too. He mostly works on his own earth moving equipment. He lives in Saugerties. Didn't know if you knew him or not.

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bobl78 says:

    Fancy gloves… do they incrase horse power ?

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars AK1920 says:

    In these times it's so great to watch something just pure and real which is mechanics. Thanks Mr. O !

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alan Matthews says:

    May the 4th be with you!!

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alan Matthews says:

    Luck beats skill some days

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brian Bolan says:

    Damn rodents!!!

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mike Mardis says:

    I always assumed the ambient O2 was sensed from the four holes at the base of the sensor

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Raymond Jacobs says:

    Quick ! Get the Marshmallows……

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Charles Tredway says:

    Great short videos give me the confidence I need to do it, because you did it.

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Bot Autos says:

    Lol probe on down to the comments section i love it

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Walter Sticht says:

    "Too much coffee"? Blasphemy!

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