Master Mechanic? (not quite six years old yet)

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dibbons

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La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
Grandson visiting me here from hometown of Juneau, Alaska. We go out to the garage to the '72 Plymouth SSP where I wanted to pull #1 cylinder spark plug. Ask kid to open the plastic tool box with assorted combination wrenches, ratchets, and sockets. Before I can direct him to bring the proper tool(s), he picks up the largest of 3 ratchets (1/2" drive) which is what I wanted. I told him that was just what I needed. Before I could ask for anything else, he put his hand on the spark plug socket, and again I told him that's the next tool I was going to ask for (but did he read my mind?). I direct him to take an extension which he does. I instruct him to push the ratchet button and install the extension, which he does. Then I instruct him to install the adaptor, which he tries to do while pushing the ratchet button. I advise him the ratchet button is not necessary so he releases the button and asks me for help when he has difficulty pushes the 3/8-1/2 adaptor onto the extension. Once the spark plug socket and everything else is assembled, I ask him to flip the ratchet lever to the removal direction which he does. Now he wants to remove the spark plug himself, but I tell him I'll do it because I'm a little stronger. I show him the spark plug end once removed and ask him if the electrode end is clean or dirty (it's a little brown) and he tells me its dirty.

Then going to change the fuel filter. He opens the little Fram box and without me directing him, he takes one of the two stubby 5/16" hoses in the box and tries to push it on the end of the filter (too hard for him so I helped).

Then I ask him for a screw driver to remove the fuel line clamps. He brings me a stubby flat blade screwdriver from my metal tool box. I ask for a longer one, so he returns the stubby and pulls out the longer one I wanted. Then I find only a Phillips head will fit the clamp. I tell him I made a mistake and that long one won't fit after all. He returns it to the box, and without asking him to pick out another, he picks out a stubby Phillips and brings it to me. I tell him that will just have to do and I remove the clamps.

Then without asking, he comes over to the vehicle with the filter in his hand and tells me he wants to install it himself. I tell him that will be a little too difficult for him so he hands me the filter. Then he supervises me during the installation. I ask again for the screwdriver and he brings me the one I used previously which was now on a table (not in the tool box).

I almost forgot. About half-way through the above repairs he tells me he wants to show me where the gas cap is located. So I follow him to the rear of the vehicle where he lifts up the car cover (I help a little) and he pulls the rear license frame up to expose the gas cap and tells me this is the place (a couple of days ago I showed him where it was).

This morning my spouse asked me to sweep and mop the kitchen floor. Benicio insisted on helping with the broom, squirting a mix a water and pine-sol on the floor, mopping the floor with a cotton mop, and drying the floor with a man-made fiber mop (advertised to be many times more absorbent than cotton). On the way to walking the dog with me, he wanted to insert the keys into the doors and gates along the way. During the walk, when a garbage truck came our way (stopping to manually load the truck), he insisted on waiting for it to pass us by so he could greet the truck crew. Nothing but fun and games. Are all youngsters not quite five-years-old this smart and enthusiastic? Photo is his first birthday.

Benicio first birthday.png
 
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You must be proud of your grandson, how did he get so smart and polite?
He's obviously been watching someone work on cars and paying attention!
What a great post, it makes me feel that the future of the car culture isn't over by a long shot!
 
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