What would you do??

I'm in a bit of a dilemma.
I've got a mate who lives in Sydney (6 hours away from me and about 500 odd kms each way).
He needs some work done on an old Cortina.
Now the work he requires to get done needs the experience of my trade. (Because he cant do electrical stuff)
Now if I travel down there and back for me to do this work for him, do I charge him fuel money? (I'm strapped for cash atm and are struggling to put food on the table).
OR is this something that shouldn't be done?
What about a labour rate as well?
If it was only an hour or so and I was working full time, then it'd be different.
When I was unemployed a few years ago I charged people $50 per hour for cashies if they were local.

Thanks in advance.

get the 'mate' to tow the car to you, then worry about money.
if he's says no it's too much of  a hassle or whatever then Charge him $50 hr travel and $50 hr work time.

Mate fuel money shouldn't be a problem, than as for the work you could either have him owe you a favour or charge him mates rates but work it out before you head off. The last thing you want to do is drive down there, do the work than have a blue about payment.
If you were cruising down to rewire Checkmate for me I'd happily pay your fuel and put you up and feed you than work out what the job was worth and come up with something we were both happy with.
Giving your circumstances he cant expect you to do the job and travel down for free.