is it weird that just last night I was thinking to myself "Man I wonder what ETCG is up to these days. I hope his temporary hiatus doesn't turn into a permanent one." And the very next day you post this. So very glad to see this post Eric and I'm glad to hear you're doing well.
Ditto. The weather is warming up and it's time to get back to work on my F350 rust-bucket and as I was scratching my head as to how I was going to break loose those seized up cab mounts, I got to thinking "What would Eric do?" Lo and behold, here he is.
Eric, It takes a big person to recognize when ya gotta take a step back, take a breath, refocus &!recenter yourself to make your world better. you are a HUGE inspiration! Keep doing what you are doing and thank you!!
Count your blessings, Eric. You have family and friends. True friends would never be so selfish as to expect "more" at the expense of your sanity. Quite frankly, your body of work already stands for itself. Be proud. Keep your health. 🙏🇺🇸
I'm in the middle of the burnout phase myself. I've taken over a month off of video editing/creation. Mental health and personal happiness is the most important thing. Today I'm breaking out the camera again and I'm feeling the pull to get back to work again. Gonna just go at my own pace and not make promises on content delivery. Good for you taking the time you needed. People who criticize that don't understand it. Glad you are doing better.
Welcome back brother. I can tell you that I've watched 75% of your whole catalog on youtube. You have been a great deal of hope, and confident booster in regards to automotive repair. Hope to see you more regularly!
Eric, I'm so glad you mentioned the problem you have with depression, it takes a big man to admit something that many think taboo that you shouldn't admit to, I for one think it's very beneficial to talk about and share with others as you've done. I hope it struck a cord with others too, you very well could have helped someone in need...I'm sure you did ,10k views in 3 days...not too shabby Nice to have you back! Hopefully you'll find a nice shop you'll be happy with.
Great to see you back. I would like to see you work on older Hondas. Well because I have one 2010 CRV and so does my son 2001 Civic. I enjoy your channel Eric. Thank you
I am a retired veteran. Although I haven't struggled with depression (I do have one, rather specific type of PTSD but it isn't likely to ever be triggered by anything but immediate and harmful changes in air pressure - big air pressure, not firearms, but explosions only), I do have friends that have suffered with depression. Thank you for putting your link there for help for depression!
I'm glad that you took the time off to look after yourself Eric and I'm equally proud of you taking the steps to heal and bring this state of awareness to your viewers. Mental burn out (depression, anxiety) is no joking matter and it affects millions of people, most hiding their symptoms. It takes courage to speak up. kudos to you Eric! Love the videos by the way!
I’ve been watching your videos since around 2011 and I will continue to do so no matter how often you release new videos. I’ve experienced my own burnout with things in life and actually have been “in quicksand” like you described many times. It’s like you sit down in front of your computer, you almost want to do the work you need to do, but you just physically can’t. I’m glad to hear you’re taking care of yourself and that is what is most important. Even if the next video takes 2 years…I’ll be here.
@@ETCG1 you have helped a lot of people helped me a few times I was listening to Bill burr and he was watching you to he said you are great can't disagree 👍
Man I’m glad you’re doing ok. Depression is a bitch and can creep up on you. I lost 3 friends to depression in the past few years and it’s been devastating. We all need a break from routine work, whatever it is you do. Time for yourself, to collect your thoughts and put priorities in place. That been said, and I’m sure I speak for the majority if not all the people who follow you, we hope you come back and we will patiently be waiting for your return. Whenever that is. It’s been a pleasure watching your videos and if you decide you are done, then good luck. Maybe we’ll run into each other in Ohio one day.
Glad to see and hear from you Eric, been a viewer for over ten years now and honestly I felt your burnout coming through in the videos, so I’m actually really glad that you took the hiatus and took time to seek help and get yourself through it🙏 Wishing you the best in whatever you chose to do, and if that whatever happens to be a video or two, I’ll be here to watch and support
more than just the automotive content, i really commend you for speaking out about mental health. it's not something easy to do, there's still a ton of stigma around being able to say, "hey i might need some help" or "i need to take some time to rest and reset." thanks for guiding so many of us through repairs over the years. the last couple of years, i just watched your videos to inform myself more and see some tips and tricks that might make my life a little easier when working on my own car. hope you're doing well and enjoying your much deserved time off.
Probably 6 or 7 years ago I was scrolling through TH-cam and a video of you tearing down an automatic transmission came up. I watched it and was hooked. I proceeded to watch every video you had. I then made the decision to go back to school at 34 years old for automotive systems tech. I'm now 40 and have 8 ASE's and I am an expert technician at Toyota. So basically, you inspired me to do this. Glad to see ya back!
Hi Eric, glad you are doing better. You are my go-to guy for keeping my 1992 Honda Accord LX Station Wagon running. BTW, I am soon to be 77, single mom, grandmother and great grandmother, I have had my Accord Wagon for 22 years. Second owner. I've done almost all of the repairs and maintenance myself. I no longer do any work underneath or brakes. I'm like you, I absolutely love this car! At 4'8" tall, the lower profile 4th generation Accord is a perfect fit! Some of my taller friends don't like riding in it. I am hoping to go back to work so I can afford to get some body work done to repair the "Honda Accord Wagon Oops rust" on the rear quarter panels. I'd love to see videos on how to remove the seats and headliner to do a heavy detailing like you did for your Element. I have done considerable maintenance on the motor as well as replacing the alternator. I finally found a replacement power steering resevoir and am going to replace the old one. I cleaned the filter 2 years ago but it's starting to bubble again. I am hoping to drive this car for the rest of my life and leave it to one of my son's! I am NOT buying an electric car. I imagine they are a b$$$h to get repaired, and I noticed that the distance b4 recharging isn't conducive to long distance travel, not to mention that I'm sure it takes longer than filling a gas tank to recharge, so, keep those repair videos on the older Honda's Accords, especially 4th generation wagons, coming when you et back in a work shop. Stay safe.
Good to see you back brother - take care of yourself first and the rest will follow. You helped me keep my 92 Accord on the road for 30 years and 300k miles.
Eric, my friend Allen and I have used your collection of videos and knowledge to work on our Hondas extensively. You saved my 2004 Acura MDX when the timing belt broke. I put a new one on without any damage at all (still going strong at 255,000 miles). I've rebuilt two Honda transmissions that now have over 10,000 miles respectively. I've done extensive jobs including rear main seals, interior swaps, leather covering, all thanks to your videos and help. Keep it up and know that it makes a difference. I've also done some light video editing and am happy to give it a shot for you once in a while if you need the help. Thanks for all that you do.
As I commented on the Ericthecarguypage the amount of excitement when I saw you posted a video was unmeasurable. Then I came over here and that doubled my excitement. I damn near shed a tear in the process. Glad you’re back, but most of all glad you took care of any issues that you had. Definitely take care of yourself because we’ve all been patiently waiting and have been here waiting the whole time so you know your fanbase still stands behind you after all these years.
So grateful to see you again, as someone who suffers from anxiety & depression from burnout (forty years of retail) I commend you for 1. realizing you were experiencing burnout. 2. Seeking the help you needed to deal with the burnout. and 3. Bravely admitting to your audience that you suffer from anxiety & depression. You've probably helped a dozen viewers or more who are struggling with depression but to stubborn or afraid to seek help, but now realize it's OK to go get the help they need to deal with their particular situation. Bravo Eric!!! I look forward to any future vids you'll eventually post at your convenience.
Got 2 notifications was like... Is it Christmas? Take the time. We will be here when you are ready. Happy you are on the move! Excited for whatever comes next, whenever that is!
wow!!! So happy to see you again , I was following you since the third video that you post when you started "Erik the car guy" .You make my day!!! Welcome Erik!!
Eric, I've been watching your videos since I was 14. I can't even begin to calculate how much you've influenced me into becoming the person I am today. Thanks to you, I'm the "Car guy" my friends and family go to for help, and the knowledge I've gained from your videos sparked an interest that has resulted in me pursuing a mechanical engineering degree today. Thank you.
Great to see you back Eric Having suffered deeply with depression , let's just say I am glad I am still here, I can sympathise with you mate. Look forward to seeing you again. I have a honda civic MK3 CRX1.6 esi or as you say in America Delsol, and a Nissan Elgrand E51, which has a variant of the 350z engine . Watching your show's have been a fantastic help. Wishing you good luck with your future and health :-).
@ETCG1 If coming back to the the dragon come a little south near Lake Lanier and see our rebuild shop. 36 yrs rebuilding OEM auto parts. We had Jared Pink stop in last year to get a repair no one else could help him with including MOPAR. We are vintage Asian USDM & JDM as well as vintage Euro specialists.
It still feels weird to go on TH-cam and to check my feed and look for my “go to” channels and not see an ETCG code 😢😂 but glad you’re still doing alright and I look foreword to your future endeavors. Also, can’t say I’m mad at the size of the old shop, without a shop at all I’d say it was small too lol
First, I would like to thank you for GREAT content so Thank You VERY MUCH. Good Managers or Partners you can trust would relieve you from burnout. One person can do it all, but it is long hours and extremely overwhelming. I know employees are a pain in the ***. That is why I said possibly partners. I have been self employed a couple times and had up to 20 employees so trust me I get it however one thing I have learned is if I can find others who are as invested as me and desire the same goals and returns it makes life a lot easier because we all work just as hard for the dream to come true and we can bounce ideas off of each other. It's nice to have others to take on the responsibilities of ownership so that it isn't all on me. Now, where do you find these people? Well, I have found that is you give someone an opportunity that is hungry to succeed (not necessarily financially well off) these are the best partners because you are helping them while helping yourself. Also, having a GREAT accounting firm takes off a lot of stress so that you can run your business and not have to be up until midnight filing taxes or renewing licenses etc. Just a thought brother. God Bless 🇺🇸
Glad to hear you are doing well. I hate you though for saying your old shop was to small. :) I'm confined to a single car garage. Seriously, hope you find a shop that allows you to do what you want.
Welcome back Eric!!! I have been wondering what happened I even posted a video about it on my channel about you. I'm glad your back and I'm sorry to hear that you've had a "burnout" situation hopefully better days ahead! I know making videos can be difficult I go through it myself for my channel I can relate but hopefully an editor and some help can alleviate your stress and you can get back to doing your thing all the best Eric I look forward to seeing your future videos!
It's great to hear from you again, your channel is easily my favorite and got me through so many of my own fixes & projects. Thanks for addressing burnout and feeling stuck/depressed, we're taught that we should bury ourselves in our work and just work harder all the time. But if it's not nourishing you back, all its doing is burning you out and you need to ease up rather than dive deeper.
Eric you should consider doing what some other automotive TH-camrs have done and start wandering around CoPart, find a car to fix up, fix it -on your own time-, and then sell it again, either privately or right back at CoPart. Even if you don't make money off it, you'll have content of finding the car, diagnosing it, fixing it, selling it, and you can rinse and repeat. Lots of older cars and Hondas to grab for cheap.
Good to hear you’re doing better. Life ain’t easy for us men, it’s ok to fall down and get back up👊 or fall off the TH-cam horse, and then pony up again
Good to see you back , take your time and get back when your ready , better to wait a bit longer and come back and stay rather than come back too soon and burn out again . Your followers will still be there whenever , good luck
I have always watch your videos and thumbs up the video It's The least I could do for the great content that you give. Thank you Eric I hope to see you soon brother.
Good to see you back Eric. You were the inspiration that I used to start on my journey of fixing my own cars. I watched the video series you did swapping a 1.6 in an ek sedan and I used that to motor swap a 95 sedan. Since then, I have done multiple motor rebuilds on my 97 ek that is gsr swapped, I have vtec converted my 89 crx si. I did the timing belt on my 2010 mdx and many other projects. I used to watch all your videos no matter what car you were working on. I look forward to when you come back. Hope to see more video content from you soon.
I’m happy to hear you took some time off to heal from burnout and getting help doing so - that’s something I can relate to you on! God bless you in your healing and comeback! I’ll be forever thankful to you for all your repair content that has boosted my own confidence tackling repairs on my vehicles - especially a Honda Accord timing belt!
Nice to hear that you & Family are ok. Nice to hear from you. Yes, how many brake jobs and filter replacements can you do? If you had a Shop, you'd have _some_ fresh content, but it still gets stale. I'm a Fan, always will be. I've always admired your style, Eric. Good luck for the future, Sir!
Great to see you again Eric and kudos to you for reaching out for help at 66 I’ve learned that there’s no shame in that. After I retired I had to reevaluate to stay on track. Stay well my friend 😊
Hey man I understand completely. I feel like I'm right there with you. Been doing this shit my whole life and I'm ready to start doing something else for a little while
Great to see you back! Glad you're getting the help you needed. Everyone needs something like that every once in a while. Way better to have fewer videos in a sustainable way. Content is hard to make, especially at that pace without a staff to make it happen. Welcome back!
Your practical, straight-forward, and very well-done videos are tremendously helpful to me over the years. You are my first stop for car maintenance info. Thank you for sharing a portion of your story and I look forward to your future endeavors!
Glad to see you back. You were missed! Hope it isn’t too long before more comes out. My fiancée has 2 Hondas, a 2004 Accord and a 2010 CRV. Have been working on them and learning. Thanks so much for what you’ve done and what you’re going to do.
Big Respect to you for sharing that even a top bloke like you can get out of balance and suffer depression. And proving that acknowledging the issue and getting help does not mean you are less of a man. Infact it proves you can face uncomfortable issues and take positive action. Too many people run from their issues, blame others, turn to alcohol and damage other people. Good luck with finding a new building. Best wishes. Have some birthday 🎂 🍰
I'm glad you're starting your comeback, you're one of my favorite automotive TH-camrs. I totally understand burnout, I graduated in May 2020 and the pandemic was the last straw for me. I had to walk away and few people understood, but only you know how you feel. I'm glad you got help, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Saw you pop up in my feed and wondered what happened to you. Im glad you're doing ok. Im sorry about your shop, but Im glad you've weathered the storm. As far as I'm concerned youre the GOAT of auto repair content and look forward to hearing about whatever life has in store for you. Love ya brother 👊
Welcome back, and boy are we glad to see you. I understand you are still working through this, so do what you need to do and we’ll be here when you come back. It sounds like you are enthusiastic about posting videos again.
Great to see you back, and kudos for seeking help when you needed it. Many people are too embarrassed or even just don't realize they _should_ . I'm glad it helped, and I'm glad you paced yourself, did stuff that was enjoyable before returning to posting. Those of us that enjoy and greatly appreciate the wisdom you share on these videos will be more than patient and understanding with on-going content, so please, take your time, and post when you feel up to it. We are grateful for everything you do.
As someone who has gone through therapy to deal with both burnout and depression from loss of my job from the pandemic your mental health is #1. You'll never be able to do what you love if you cant get out of the rut. Talking is key. Our whole existence is between our ears and if you are lucky enough to recognize you have a problem there is someone out there who can help. Meditation has also helped me tremendously and I suggest you try it out just 5 min. a day. On to the fin stuff! I have a 2002 Acura TL-S with 178k miles and would love to see how to keep it going past 200k miles! The transmission is obviously an issue with this model but it was replaced during the recall and works just fine. When it's really cold (Eastern PA) it kicks into neutral sometimes but otherwise it has never let me down. I look forward to more videos, keep 'em coming!
Eric, even though I'm just one of your subscribers, I understand you 100%. Every time I take on a big project, it is always bigger than expected and also comes with challenges that you wouldn't expect. Take the video recordings of all "TH-cam" bussiness next to it and you get a load of (stressful) work in addition to what you actually really like to do. Even in addition to that, a whole family also needs attention Take your time, the majority will always stay here anyway. Find and buy a nice place where your family can grow big. Good luck man, I wish you a nice shop and living space.
My man Eric, boy do I miss your repair videos and ETCG1 videos, so glad you're "back" even if slowly coming back. Selfish as I am I'd love to see more repair videos especially timing chain replacements for the K24 engines of the like 😀, but the projects you mentioned also sound very interesting as well. Would love to see the videos of how you installed and adapted the stereo & amp w/ car play, etc. Have to say also that I've bought many a tools based on your opinion and watching you using them, I miss that too. But most importantly, I want to give you a huge shout-out for facing issues with mental health and bringing attention to it. That requires the most guts to face and in our current society, admit. Especially among men, it's so important to learn to deal with issues of mental health, that seeking help doesn't mean you're 'damaged' in any way. We seek help when we find lumps in our bodies, why not seek help when we find lumps in our minds? Kudos and big thanks for doing that. I have enjoyed watching your videos over the years, learned a lot of mechanics from you, but now you have my admiration as a real man! Hugs brother.
Hey!! Glad to see you! I am s primary care doctor. The burnout is real. The depression is real. So glad to hear you are getting help. Many don't. We'll still be here. Good luck and God's speed.
I'm so glad you posted Eric. I too was wondering what you were up to, and if the lack of a shop was really holding you back. Tucker's wearing a Honda Vintage Culture jacket, very cool. They make some nice clothes. I have a '92 Accord that I'm maybe 80% done restoring, and I'd love to see some classic Honda stuff. Something with a CVCC carb would be awesome! Not a lot of good material out there on that subject.
So glad this break has been helpful for you. Being a single mom, (my children are now grown and gone), working full time, 12 hour shifts, on one job, then picking up part time or temp work on the off days, (younger nurses could always pick up work), you can really get, " burned out"! I always loved my profession, so that made stuff easier, but those vacations were welcomed, sometimes a staycation was even better. You get the chance to refresh, regroup, and come back recharged! Love the idea of doing the older cars. I'm in my 70's now, and living on a fixed income. Before Covid, and the economic fiasco, I wanted to retire my 1992 Honda Accord LX Station Wagon and was saving for a 2009 Honda Odyssey. Why the '09? Because it's the first one, according it my son, the Honda parts guy, for 15+ years, that didn't have any major problems, like a bad transmission. The '09 Odyssey was just coming into my price range, the LX, or whatever the basic model, with upholstery, not leather was. Then Covid hit, everything just stopped, no new cars, very few used cars, now used cars have tripled in price. I really love my Accord wagon, and have done most of the maintenance and repair work myself, so I've decided to just keep it running. I'd like to do a complete redo on it, like you did with your Element, but at my age, and size, I'm 4'8" tall, I may end up just being able to do what I need to keep it running. It only has 214,000mi.on it. I bought it 21 years ago, with 140,000mi. Have kept it up, ever since. It's never been exposed to road salt, until I came back from my travel job, in 2014. If you did videos on how to keep these wonderful, older cars on the road and looking great, I think there are a lot of people who would benefit from them. It's becoming almost impossible to find any TH-cam mechanics that are working on the 4th generation Honda's, any more. I had a 5th generation Accord EX wagon, an '06. I liked the '92 better. Being so short, it's just a better configuration, for me. The '06, besides not being comfortable to drive, seemed like something was always going wrong. So, good bye, 2006! Thanks for the video on replacing O rings in the spark plug wells on the 1992 Accord. I'm just finishing up doing it. I also changed the plugs, wires (NKG always, they last longer), distributor cap, rotor and air filter. My next project might end up being an exhaust system replacement, not that I want to. I have a complete, brand new, OEM exhaust system. I bought it off E-bay. They were selling for $100.00, because the Accord wagons had been discontinued 5 or 6 years earlier. My problem, I can't get anyone to install it. All the repair shops will only install parts they sell. It's not that way in South Texas...LOL. Everyone down there wants to work, they don't care where the parts come from! BTW, my mechanic, when I worked in Texas, was 81, a retired navy sub mechanic! Hope you find the perfect place for your shop. Stay safe and well and God bless.
Going through the same feeling shopping for a place to work. Found a wonderful 3 acre lot for 700k fence, security, four bay coin wash, and four bay garage. Unfortunately the garage is a garbage jiffy lube. No lifts only pits and the ceilings don’t have clearance for lifts. Bumper
I love you Brother, you had a lot going on and a break well deserved, take small steps before you run again EC! And life long fans such as myself we're patiently waiting. Take time for you and family and do what the heart wants. God Bless!
Ah, you mention EVs here. Nice. Welcome back. Have owned 20 cars. The last three were EVs. Many were headed to a junkyard and my current gas car (van everyone can fit in) is a 02 voyager that is well taken care of for longevity.
You are amazing man. I have also been through burnout and taken a break. I even completely changed my channel. Taking time to yourself and getting away from the things that bring you down is important. I have changed my frame of thinking from " I gotta do this" to " I will do something else if I dont like it" I 100% agree with electrification, but also keeping old cars on the road. The future is every changing.
I'm really sorry to know you have been struggling. You have been going through a huge transition in the last year, on top of being a family man with teenagers going off to college. That's a lot to handle. Just take care of yourself. Everything will work itself out. You're a good man. You put out really great, informative content and you should be proud of what you have already accomplished. It's ok to rest, gather yourself and contemplate your next chapter. Try to travel more... :) Best wishes to you.
I certainly don't have a channel the size of yours but I can definitely understand the pressure and energy involved in making videos. It isn't something I really appreciate it until I was doing it myself. I think a lot of people just don't realize that an 8 minute video that they watch could take 20 hours of actual work to create or more.
Currently working on my 01 integra and etcg is the obvious answer when having honda problems. More than excited to see you're doing well. Thank you for all the time and effort you've put in i can't even count the times youve helped me fix me car and hope we get more from you but in the end do what makes you happy. Seriously thank you Eric you're the man.
So glad to see you again. Glad to hear your healing your mind. Ease back in to it. Your TH-cam family needs you back to even some extent! Much love and respect. Hope to see new content sometime soon ❤
It's great to see you again Eric and glad to hear your doing better and I sure can relate to a burnout in work life journey. Getting help is the answer.
Burnout increases the risk of disturbed sleep, depression, suicide, heart attack, and stroke. I'm glad you chose to step away before the choice was taken from you.
Quick question for you 2012 Honda Accord 4cyl 266k miles. Oil changed every 5-7500k miles running euro oil 5W-40. At what mileage do you recommend changing the timing chain? Makes zero noise, I’ve heard Honda says 400k miles. The engine has been running this viscosity since 5k miles.
is it weird that just last night I was thinking to myself "Man I wonder what ETCG is up to these days. I hope his temporary hiatus doesn't turn into a permanent one." And the very next day you post this. So very glad to see this post Eric and I'm glad to hear you're doing well.
I was thinking the exact same thing. I was telling my coworker about how I go into the work I’m in (diesel mechanic). Then this video pops up.
the same here :D
I had this same wonder a week ago and dug into everything and couldn't find much.
Exactly the same but this week!!
Ditto. The weather is warming up and it's time to get back to work on my F350 rust-bucket and as I was scratching my head as to how I was going to break loose those seized up cab mounts, I got to thinking "What would Eric do?"
Lo and behold, here he is.
Eric, It takes a big person to recognize when ya gotta take a step back, take a breath, refocus &!recenter yourself to make your world better. you are a HUGE inspiration! Keep doing what you are doing and thank you!!
Count your blessings, Eric.
You have family and friends.
True friends would never be so selfish as to expect "more" at the expense of your sanity. Quite frankly, your body of work already stands for itself.
Be proud.
Keep your health.
🙏🇺🇸
Well said!
Yes Yes and Yes!:]
I'm in the middle of the burnout phase myself. I've taken over a month off of video editing/creation. Mental health and personal happiness is the most important thing. Today I'm breaking out the camera again and I'm feeling the pull to get back to work again. Gonna just go at my own pace and not make promises on content delivery. Good for you taking the time you needed. People who criticize that don't understand it. Glad you are doing better.
I hope your time off brings you the rest you need. Hang in there and stay dirty.
Welcome back brother. I can tell you that I've watched 75% of your whole catalog on youtube. You have been a great deal of hope, and confident booster in regards to automotive repair. Hope to see you more regularly!
Eric, I'm so glad you mentioned the problem you have with depression, it takes a big man to admit something that many think taboo that you shouldn't admit to, I for one think it's very beneficial to talk about and share with others as you've done. I hope it struck a cord with others too, you very well could have helped someone in need...I'm sure you did ,10k views in 3 days...not too shabby
Nice to have you back! Hopefully you'll find a nice shop you'll be happy with.
Great to see you back. I would like to see you work on older Hondas. Well because I have one 2010 CRV and so does my son 2001 Civic. I enjoy your channel Eric. Thank you
I am a retired veteran. Although I haven't struggled with depression (I do have one, rather specific type of PTSD but it isn't likely to ever be triggered by anything but immediate and harmful changes in air pressure - big air pressure, not firearms, but explosions only), I do have friends that have suffered with depression. Thank you for putting your link there for help for depression!
Thank you for your service and for your comment.
I literally looked at your site last week for an update. Thanks for the update. Glad to have you back. Looking forward to the Honda videos.
I'm glad that you took the time off to look after yourself Eric and I'm equally proud of you taking the steps to heal and bring this state of awareness to your viewers. Mental burn out (depression, anxiety) is no joking matter and it affects millions of people, most hiding their symptoms. It takes courage to speak up. kudos to you Eric! Love the videos by the way!
I’ve been watching your videos since around 2011 and I will continue to do so no matter how often you release new videos. I’ve experienced my own burnout with things in life and actually have been “in quicksand” like you described many times. It’s like you sit down in front of your computer, you almost want to do the work you need to do, but you just physically can’t. I’m glad to hear you’re taking care of yourself and that is what is most important. Even if the next video takes 2 years…I’ll be here.
Thank you for your understanding, the quicksand is a bitch. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
@@ETCG1 you have helped a lot of people helped me a few times I was listening to Bill burr and he was watching you to he said you are great can't disagree 👍
Man I’m glad you’re doing ok. Depression is a bitch and can creep up on you. I lost 3 friends to depression in the past few years and it’s been devastating. We all need a break from routine work, whatever it is you do. Time for yourself, to collect your thoughts and put priorities in place. That been said, and I’m sure I speak for the majority if not all the people who follow you, we hope you come back and we will patiently be waiting for your return. Whenever that is. It’s been a pleasure watching your videos and if you decide you are done, then good luck. Maybe we’ll run into each other in Ohio one day.
Glad to see and hear from you Eric, been a viewer for over ten years now and honestly I felt your burnout coming through in the videos, so I’m actually really glad that you took the hiatus and took time to seek help and get yourself through it🙏 Wishing you the best in whatever you chose to do, and if that whatever happens to be a video or two, I’ll be here to watch and support
more than just the automotive content, i really commend you for speaking out about mental health. it's not something easy to do, there's still a ton of stigma around being able to say, "hey i might need some help" or "i need to take some time to rest and reset." thanks for guiding so many of us through repairs over the years. the last couple of years, i just watched your videos to inform myself more and see some tips and tricks that might make my life a little easier when working on my own car. hope you're doing well and enjoying your much deserved time off.
Probably 6 or 7 years ago I was scrolling through TH-cam and a video of you tearing down an automatic transmission came up. I watched it and was hooked. I proceeded to watch every video you had. I then made the decision to go back to school at 34 years old for automotive systems tech. I'm now 40 and have 8 ASE's and I am an expert technician at Toyota. So basically, you inspired me to do this. Glad to see ya back!
Hi Eric, glad you are doing better. You are my go-to guy for keeping my 1992 Honda Accord LX Station Wagon running. BTW, I am soon to be 77, single mom, grandmother and great grandmother, I have had my Accord Wagon for 22 years. Second owner.
I've done almost all of the repairs and maintenance myself. I no longer do any work underneath or brakes. I'm like you, I absolutely love this car! At 4'8" tall, the lower profile 4th generation Accord is a perfect fit! Some of my taller friends don't like riding in it. I am hoping to go back to work so I can afford to get some body work done to repair the "Honda Accord Wagon Oops rust" on the rear quarter panels. I'd love to see videos on how to remove the seats and headliner to do a heavy detailing like you did for your Element. I have done considerable maintenance on the motor as well as replacing the alternator. I finally found a replacement power steering resevoir and am going to replace the old one. I cleaned the filter 2 years ago but it's starting to bubble again. I am hoping to drive this car for the rest of my life and leave it to one of my son's! I am NOT buying an electric car. I imagine they are a b$$$h to get repaired, and I noticed that the distance b4 recharging isn't conducive to long distance travel, not to mention that I'm sure it takes longer than filling a gas tank to recharge, so, keep those repair videos on the older Honda's Accords, especially 4th generation wagons, coming when you et back in a work shop. Stay safe.
Good to see you back brother - take care of yourself first and the rest will follow. You helped me keep my 92 Accord on the road for 30 years and 300k miles.
Is that your McLaren Capri in your thumbnail? Beautiful!
@@edc1806 Yes! Visit my channel for a ton of vids on it. Thanks!
@@n20cpri Subscribed! I have a very different Capri, a '72 German import, but have always loved the Fox Capri, and the McLaren in particular!
@@edc1806 Thanks man. Love the early Capris myself!
Eric, my friend Allen and I have used your collection of videos and knowledge to work on our Hondas extensively. You saved my 2004 Acura MDX when the timing belt broke. I put a new one on without any damage at all (still going strong at 255,000 miles). I've rebuilt two Honda transmissions that now have over 10,000 miles respectively. I've done extensive jobs including rear main seals, interior swaps, leather covering, all thanks to your videos and help. Keep it up and know that it makes a difference. I've also done some light video editing and am happy to give it a shot for you once in a while if you need the help. Thanks for all that you do.
As I commented on the Ericthecarguypage the amount of excitement when I saw you posted a video was unmeasurable. Then I came over here and that doubled my excitement. I damn near shed a tear in the process. Glad you’re back, but most of all glad you took care of any issues that you had. Definitely take care of yourself because we’ve all been patiently waiting and have been here waiting the whole time so you know your fanbase still stands behind you after all these years.
So grateful to see you again, as someone who suffers from anxiety & depression from burnout (forty years of retail) I commend you for 1. realizing you were experiencing burnout. 2. Seeking the help you needed to deal with the burnout. and 3. Bravely admitting to your audience that you suffer from anxiety & depression. You've probably helped a dozen viewers or more who are struggling with depression but to stubborn or afraid to seek help, but now realize it's OK to go get the help they need to deal with their particular situation.
Bravo Eric!!! I look forward to any future vids you'll eventually post at your convenience.
Got 2 notifications was like... Is it Christmas?
Take the time. We will be here when you are ready. Happy you are on the move! Excited for whatever comes next, whenever that is!
wow!!! So happy to see you again , I was following you since the third video that you post when you started "Erik the car guy" .You make my day!!! Welcome Erik!!
Eric, I've been watching your videos since I was 14. I can't even begin to calculate how much you've influenced me into becoming the person I am today. Thanks to you, I'm the "Car guy" my friends and family go to for help, and the knowledge I've gained from your videos sparked an interest that has resulted in me pursuing a mechanical engineering degree today. Thank you.
Great to see you back Eric
Having suffered deeply with depression , let's just say I am glad I am still here, I can sympathise with you mate.
Look forward to seeing you again.
I have a honda civic MK3 CRX1.6 esi or as you say in America Delsol, and a Nissan Elgrand E51, which has a variant of the 350z engine .
Watching your show's have been a fantastic help.
Wishing you good luck with your future and health :-).
While working on new garage, try to focus on your health and keep you body up to the tasks that are coming in the future. ❤
I have no idea what your business is? Quality mechanic with no employer?
Eric! So awesome to hear from you again!
@ETCG1 If coming back to the the dragon come a little south near Lake Lanier and see our rebuild shop. 36 yrs rebuilding OEM auto parts. We had Jared Pink stop in last year to get a repair no one else could help him with including MOPAR. We are vintage Asian USDM & JDM as well as vintage Euro specialists.
Your my favorite TH-camr. I miss having new content but I also understand the importance of self care. Glad to see you've made yourself your priority.
I can only rewatch the old Subaru videos so many times. Glad you're back-ish.
It still feels weird to go on TH-cam and to check my feed and look for my “go to” channels and not see an ETCG code 😢😂 but glad you’re still doing alright and I look foreword to your future endeavors. Also, can’t say I’m mad at the size of the old shop, without a shop at all I’d say it was small too lol
First, I would like to thank you for GREAT content so Thank You VERY MUCH.
Good Managers or Partners you can trust would relieve you from burnout. One person can do it all, but it is long hours and extremely overwhelming. I know employees are a pain in the ***. That is why I said possibly partners. I have been self employed a couple times and had up to 20 employees so trust me I get it however one thing I have learned is if I can find others who are as invested as me and desire the same goals and returns it makes life a lot easier because we all work just as hard for the dream to come true and we can bounce ideas off of each other. It's nice to have others to take on the responsibilities of ownership so that it isn't all on me. Now, where do you find these people? Well, I have found that is you give someone an opportunity that is hungry to succeed (not necessarily financially well off) these are the best partners because you are helping them while helping yourself. Also, having a GREAT accounting firm takes off a lot of stress so that you can run your business and not have to be up until midnight filing taxes or renewing licenses etc.
Just a thought brother.
God Bless 🇺🇸
Glad to hear you are doing well. I hate you though for saying your old shop was to small. :) I'm confined to a single car garage. Seriously, hope you find a shop that allows you to do what you want.
Welcome back Eric!!! I have been wondering what happened I even posted a video about it on my channel about you. I'm glad your back and I'm sorry to hear that you've had a "burnout" situation hopefully better days ahead! I know making videos can be difficult I go through it myself for my channel I can relate but hopefully an editor and some help can alleviate your stress and you can get back to doing your thing all the best Eric I look forward to seeing your future videos!
It's great to hear from you again, your channel is easily my favorite and got me through so many of my own fixes & projects. Thanks for addressing burnout and feeling stuck/depressed, we're taught that we should bury ourselves in our work and just work harder all the time. But if it's not nourishing you back, all its doing is burning you out and you need to ease up rather than dive deeper.
Eric you should consider doing what some other automotive TH-camrs have done and start wandering around CoPart, find a car to fix up, fix it -on your own time-, and then sell it again, either privately or right back at CoPart.
Even if you don't make money off it, you'll have content of finding the car, diagnosing it, fixing it, selling it, and you can rinse and repeat. Lots of older cars and Hondas to grab for cheap.
Nice to see you Eric! Good to hear from you.
Good to hear you’re doing better. Life ain’t easy for us men, it’s ok to fall down and get back up👊 or fall off the TH-cam horse, and then pony up again
Good to see you back , take your time and get back when your ready , better to wait a bit longer and come back and stay rather than come back too soon and burn out again . Your followers will still be there whenever , good luck
I have always watch your videos and thumbs up the video
It's The least I could do for the great content that you give. Thank you Eric I hope to see you soon brother.
Good to see you back Eric. You were the inspiration that I used to start on my journey of fixing my own cars. I watched the video series you did swapping a 1.6 in an ek sedan and I used that to motor swap a 95 sedan. Since then, I have done multiple motor rebuilds on my 97 ek that is gsr swapped, I have vtec converted my 89 crx si. I did the timing belt on my 2010 mdx and many other projects. I used to watch all your videos no matter what car you were working on. I look forward to when you come back. Hope to see more video content from you soon.
Hey, a real car repair guy, not just a guy yelling same stuff over and over at camera. We all know who I mean : 0
I’m happy to hear you took some time off to heal from burnout and getting help doing so - that’s something I can relate to you on! God bless you in your healing and comeback! I’ll be forever thankful to you for all your repair content that has boosted my own confidence tackling repairs on my vehicles - especially a Honda Accord timing belt!
Nice to hear that you & Family are ok.
Nice to hear from you.
Yes, how many brake jobs and filter replacements can you do?
If you had a Shop, you'd have _some_ fresh content, but it still gets stale.
I'm a Fan, always will be. I've always admired your style, Eric.
Good luck for the future, Sir!
Great to see you again Eric and kudos to you for reaching out for help at 66 I’ve learned that there’s no shame in that. After I retired I had to reevaluate to stay on track. Stay well my friend 😊
Hey man I understand completely. I feel like I'm right there with you. Been doing this shit my whole life and I'm ready to start doing something else for a little while
You do YOU, we love ya man no matter what! Enjoyed this! Great job!
A good driving experience is almost a therapy
Great to see you back! Glad you're getting the help you needed. Everyone needs something like that every once in a while. Way better to have fewer videos in a sustainable way. Content is hard to make, especially at that pace without a staff to make it happen. Welcome back!
Your practical, straight-forward, and very well-done videos are tremendously helpful to me over the years. You are my first stop for car maintenance info. Thank you for sharing a portion of your story and I look forward to your future endeavors!
Great to hear from you!
I never believed in burn-out. But now, I have to admit that everything you say, is very true.
Glad to see you back. You were missed! Hope it isn’t too long before more comes out. My fiancée has 2 Hondas, a 2004 Accord and a 2010 CRV. Have been working on them and learning. Thanks so much for what you’ve done and what you’re going to do.
Big Respect to you for sharing that even a top bloke like you can get out of balance and suffer depression. And proving that acknowledging the issue and getting help does not mean you are less of a man. Infact it proves you can face uncomfortable issues and take positive action. Too many people run from their issues, blame others, turn to alcohol and damage other people.
Good luck with finding a new building. Best wishes.
Have some birthday 🎂 🍰
Good to see you on here again, but your health is much more important.
You didn't lose the shop Eric, the shop lost you.
I'm glad you're starting your comeback, you're one of my favorite automotive TH-camrs. I totally understand burnout, I graduated in May 2020 and the pandemic was the last straw for me. I had to walk away and few people understood, but only you know how you feel. I'm glad you got help, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Saw you pop up in my feed and wondered what happened to you. Im glad you're doing ok. Im sorry about your shop, but Im glad you've weathered the storm. As far as I'm concerned youre the GOAT of auto repair content and look forward to hearing about whatever life has in store for you. Love ya brother 👊
Welcome back, and boy are we glad to see you. I understand you are still working through this, so do what you need to do and we’ll be here when you come back. It sounds like you are enthusiastic about posting videos again.
You should do audio videos, or tool box reviews or tool cart tours
Great to see you back, and kudos for seeking help when you needed it. Many people are too embarrassed or even just don't realize they _should_ . I'm glad it helped, and I'm glad you paced yourself, did stuff that was enjoyable before returning to posting. Those of us that enjoy and greatly appreciate the wisdom you share on these videos will be more than patient and understanding with on-going content, so please, take your time, and post when you feel up to it. We are grateful for everything you do.
As someone who has gone through therapy to deal with both burnout and depression from loss of my job from the pandemic your mental health is #1. You'll never be able to do what you love if you cant get out of the rut. Talking is key. Our whole existence is between our ears and if you are lucky enough to recognize you have a problem there is someone out there who can help. Meditation has also helped me tremendously and I suggest you try it out just 5 min. a day.
On to the fin stuff! I have a 2002 Acura TL-S with 178k miles and would love to see how to keep it going past 200k miles! The transmission is obviously an issue with this model but it was replaced during the recall and works just fine. When it's really cold (Eastern PA) it kicks into neutral sometimes but otherwise it has never let me down.
I look forward to more videos, keep 'em coming!
Eric, even though I'm just one of your subscribers, I understand you 100%. Every time I take on a big project, it is always bigger than expected and also comes with challenges that you wouldn't expect. Take the video recordings of all "TH-cam" bussiness next to it and you get a load of (stressful) work in addition to what you actually really like to do.
Even in addition to that, a whole family also needs attention
Take your time, the majority will always stay here anyway. Find and buy a nice place where your family can grow big.
Good luck man, I wish you a nice shop and living space.
It's good to hear the honesty and it's good to see you again!
Lmao it really is my birthday 3/15
George Clooney has started to look and sound a lot like you now 😉
My man Eric, boy do I miss your repair videos and ETCG1 videos, so glad you're "back" even if slowly coming back. Selfish as I am I'd love to see more repair videos especially timing chain replacements for the K24 engines of the like 😀, but the projects you mentioned also sound very interesting as well. Would love to see the videos of how you installed and adapted the stereo & amp w/ car play, etc. Have to say also that I've bought many a tools based on your opinion and watching you using them, I miss that too. But most importantly, I want to give you a huge shout-out for facing issues with mental health and bringing attention to it. That requires the most guts to face and in our current society, admit. Especially among men, it's so important to learn to deal with issues of mental health, that seeking help doesn't mean you're 'damaged' in any way. We seek help when we find lumps in our bodies, why not seek help when we find lumps in our minds? Kudos and big thanks for doing that. I have enjoyed watching your videos over the years, learned a lot of mechanics from you, but now you have my admiration as a real man! Hugs brother.
@1:28 He wised up. That is awesome. 👍
Hey!! Glad to see you! I am s primary care doctor. The burnout is real. The depression is real. So glad to hear you are getting help. Many don't.
We'll still be here. Good luck and God's speed.
I'm so glad you posted Eric. I too was wondering what you were up to, and if the lack of a shop was really holding you back. Tucker's wearing a Honda Vintage Culture jacket, very cool. They make some nice clothes. I have a '92 Accord that I'm maybe 80% done restoring, and I'd love to see some classic Honda stuff. Something with a CVCC carb would be awesome! Not a lot of good material out there on that subject.
I still have a couple of those carburetors in a box somewhere.
Hanging with you brother. Outstandingly helpful information.
Thanks for the restart!!
So glad this break has been helpful for you. Being a single mom, (my children are now grown and gone), working full time, 12 hour shifts, on one job, then picking up part time or temp work on the off days, (younger nurses could always pick up work), you can really get, " burned out"! I always loved my profession, so that made stuff easier, but those vacations were welcomed, sometimes a staycation was even better. You get the chance to refresh, regroup, and come back recharged! Love the idea of doing the older cars. I'm in my 70's now, and living on a fixed income. Before Covid, and the economic fiasco, I wanted to retire my 1992 Honda Accord LX Station Wagon and was saving for a 2009 Honda Odyssey. Why the '09? Because it's the first one, according it my son, the Honda parts guy, for 15+ years, that didn't have any major problems, like a bad transmission. The '09 Odyssey was just coming into my price range, the LX, or whatever the basic model, with upholstery, not leather was. Then Covid hit, everything just stopped, no new cars, very few used cars, now used cars have tripled in price. I really love my Accord wagon, and have done most of the maintenance and repair work myself, so I've decided to just keep it running. I'd like to do a complete redo on it, like you did with your Element, but at my age, and size, I'm 4'8" tall, I may end up just being able to do what I need to keep it running. It only has 214,000mi.on it. I bought it 21 years ago, with 140,000mi. Have kept it up, ever since. It's never been exposed to road salt, until I came back from my travel job, in 2014. If you did videos on how to keep these wonderful, older cars on the road and looking great, I think there are a lot of people who would benefit from them. It's becoming almost impossible to find any TH-cam mechanics that are working on the 4th generation Honda's, any more. I had a 5th generation Accord EX wagon, an '06. I liked the '92 better. Being so short, it's just a better configuration, for me. The '06, besides not being comfortable to drive, seemed like something was always going wrong. So, good bye, 2006! Thanks for the video on replacing O rings in the spark plug wells on the 1992 Accord. I'm just finishing up doing it. I also changed the plugs, wires (NKG always, they last longer), distributor cap, rotor and air filter. My next project might end up being an exhaust system replacement, not that I want to. I have a complete, brand new, OEM exhaust system. I bought it off E-bay. They were selling for $100.00, because the Accord wagons had been discontinued 5 or 6 years earlier. My problem, I can't get anyone to install it. All the repair shops will only install parts they sell. It's not that way in South Texas...LOL. Everyone down there wants to work, they don't care where the parts come from! BTW, my mechanic, when I worked in Texas, was 81, a retired navy sub mechanic! Hope you find the perfect place for your shop. Stay safe and well and God bless.
Going through the same feeling shopping for a place to work. Found a wonderful 3 acre lot for 700k fence, security, four bay coin wash, and four bay garage.
Unfortunately the garage is a garbage jiffy lube. No lifts only pits and the ceilings don’t have clearance for lifts.
Bumper
I love you Brother, you had a lot going on and a break well deserved, take small steps before you run again EC! And life long fans such as myself we're patiently waiting. Take time for you and family and do what the heart wants. God Bless!
Ah, you mention EVs here. Nice. Welcome back. Have owned 20 cars. The last three were EVs. Many were headed to a junkyard and my current gas car (van everyone can fit in) is a 02 voyager that is well taken care of for longevity.
Eric, you look great, man! If I may, you look almost exactly like you were in 2017 when we met at the annual meetup! Good for you!
You are amazing man.
I have also been through burnout and taken a break. I even completely changed my channel. Taking time to yourself and getting away from the things that bring you down is important. I have changed my frame of thinking from " I gotta do this" to " I will do something else if I dont like it"
I 100% agree with electrification, but also keeping old cars on the road. The future is every changing.
I'm really sorry to know you have been struggling. You have been going through a huge transition in the last year, on top of being a family man with teenagers going off to college. That's a lot to handle.
Just take care of yourself. Everything will work itself out. You're a good man. You put out really great, informative content and you should be proud of what you have already accomplished. It's ok to rest, gather yourself and contemplate your next chapter.
Try to travel more... :)
Best wishes to you.
Your videos have been invaluable! Please keep yourself healthy. I am glad your coming back.
Thanks for this video, Eric. It is sometimes hard to find the path, but you are an inspiration; whatever path you end up on, best of luck.
I certainly don't have a channel the size of yours but I can definitely understand the pressure and energy involved in making videos. It isn't something I really appreciate it until I was doing it myself. I think a lot of people just don't realize that an 8 minute video that they watch could take 20 hours of actual work to create or more.
Currently working on my 01 integra and etcg is the obvious answer when having honda problems. More than excited to see you're doing well. Thank you for all the time and effort you've put in i can't even count the times youve helped me fix me car and hope we get more from you but in the end do what makes you happy. Seriously thank you Eric you're the man.
Guess who’s back *back back* back again *’gain ‘gain* Eric’s back *back back* tell a friend *friend friend*
So glad to see you again. Glad to hear your healing your mind. Ease back in to it. Your TH-cam family needs you back to even some extent! Much love and respect. Hope to see new content sometime soon ❤
Thanks for the update. Look after yourself first, cars afterwards....
Buy a place under an LLC then lease it back to yourself.....I think that is what Roger Penske does....or something similar..
It's great to see you again Eric and glad to hear your doing better and I sure can relate to a burnout in work life journey. Getting help is the answer.
Good to have you back! Curious about that factory five you were manhandling....
Burnout increases the risk of disturbed sleep, depression, suicide, heart attack, and stroke. I'm glad you chose to step away before the choice was taken from you.
ERIC THE HONDA GUY, (much later, maybe a year) ERIC THE CHEVY GUY!
Welcome back buddy! I was using your Subaru brake job techniques recently in my Dad’s garage. He was impressed by the thoughtful processes. Thanks!
Burnout is usually caused by watching Ford Fairmont videos.
RESPECT!!! Definitely a bigger person than you have to be. You do you and the rest falls in place.
Quick question for you
2012 Honda Accord 4cyl 266k miles. Oil changed every 5-7500k miles running euro oil 5W-40. At what mileage do you recommend changing the timing chain? Makes zero noise, I’ve heard Honda says 400k miles. The engine has been running this viscosity since 5k miles.
I just bought a 2011 honda pilot off the original owner Very nice vehicle
Missed your videos! Looking forward to your future videos and comments. Thanks
Blessings, Happiness and good Health to you ERIC , stay awesome , much respect for you .
Welcome back. As a creator myself, I get the whole burn out feeling. Glad you’re feeling better. 👊🏻
Glad you are doing well, sometimes a breather is needed.(Not a flow master, just yea, you know.....)