Powderpuff Mechanics....

A week ago I realized that my little Sidekick is no longer leaking oil. It has been leaking oil for years now. Just a small leak and very expensive to have repaired, so we let it leak. Not leaking means one of two things - it somehow miraculously repaired itself - or the oil level is so low that it can't leak anymore. Not a good thing... I mentioned it to Tramp 1 and he said he would check it out. But he never got around to it before he left for Utah. So I had to do it. Not too much of a problem for me except popping the hood is difficult as it won't pop up for the first latch to open so I have to have one arm in the glove box - the pull is there to unlatch the hood - and the other arm reaching out past the door, with a long tool I use to pry the hood up enough to release the first latch. Then I can go to the front of the car and release the second latch and open the hood. I know how to check and add the oil. In fact, I know how to change the oil, how to change the spark plugs, clean or change the air filter, etc. I am lucky that I didn't mind hanging out under a 1956 Chevy for years while dating Tramp 1. He still has the Chevy and me, too! And through the years I have learned a lot about the mechanics of various vehicles. I can run a cherry picker to drop an engine, I know about aligning splines and I know what a bell housing is.... I know the difference between a valve cover gasket and a head gasket. I can show you where to find the rear main seal. I know about heli-coil, plasti-gauge and what a feeler gauge is. I could probably gap plugs and do a little carburetor work. I can do a few things on a diesel engine, too. It is good to know that you can take care of necessary things for yourself, if needed. Peace of mind.... Oh, yes, my Sidekick was low on oil - shame on me - won't happen again!