Stupid Kids

spfortjohn

spfortjohn

New Member
Jul 31, 2011
640
Orange Beach, AL
Boat Info
2014 219FS Keywest CC
Engines
F200 Yamaha Outboard
Well one of my daughters so called friends decided to play a joke on her by attaching a rather large zip tie to the drive shaft of her toyota 4 runner so when she drove it would make noise. Well it did that and it also split a pressure fuel line under the car. Now it is pouring fuel from under the car and it is close to the exhaust system and the car could have caught on fire. I am pissed. Kid pranks are one thing but this could not have turned out good.

I told her to have the kids father call me within 15 min and he did they are going to pay for it but it is going to be down time for her without a car as the parts have to be ordered and with Christmas it delays the repair.

Merry Christmas.
 
That's not the point. Messing with the drivetrain of a car is not something to play with. Ignorance is the issue, I never would think to play a joke like that at any age. My pranks were limited to turning on wipers, radio volume high, turn signal, and anything that could come on when the car was started. Straight up juvenile but that's what we were!
 
I disagree that it was ignorance....it was an adolescent mentality that caused it, not ignorance. Boys at that age aren't known for being deep thinkers. Seldom to the think ahead to the point where they could really analyze that end result. They did it because they like your daughter, not to cause her any malicious harm.

I did enough dumb stunts at that age for everyone on here. Go easy on them and turn this into a learning lesson for them.

Always take the high road and you'll build much good karma.
 
KP49 said:
I think you are a pretty nice guy for not getting the police involved.
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Well i have arranged for a tow truck to pick it up on Monday and take to the Toyota Dealership. I am not driving it with gas getting on the exhaust. It looks like the tank will need to be pulled to have the lines replaced (the connection is above the tank). It was done at our family restaurant (where she works as a hostess) friday night (the kid admitted doing it then) I am getting the video of the parking lot to have and to show to the father of the kid. They said they would pay for it so I am going to get it fixed and then present them with the bills for towing and repair. If at that point they do not pay then I will take the video to the police where the chief is a friend of mine and file paperwork to have him picked up. Then I guess the next step would be small claims court that would be a slam dunk with the confession on text and the video. The father seemed like he was going to deal with the kid. If not I have a plan B.
 
Gofirstclass said:
I disagree that it was ignorance....it was an adolescent mentality that caused it, not ignorance. Boys at that age aren't known for being deep thinkers. Seldom to the think ahead to the point where they could really analyze that end result. They did it because they like your daughter, not to cause her any malicious harm.

I did enough dumb stunts at that age for everyone on here. Go easy on them and turn this into a learning lesson for them.

Always take the high road and you'll build much good karma.
Click to expand...

Agree. I'm lucky to have survived my youth.
 
Sounds like the kids parents are owning the responsibility. Hopefully the responsibility is transferred to the kid. I did plenty of dumb things as a kid.
 
skolbe said:
Sounds like the kids parents are owning the responsibility. Hopefully the responsibility is transferred to the kid. I did plenty of dumb things as a kid.
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+1. No doubt the results could have been dissasterous and you have every right to be upset. But to second what Gofirstclass said, taking the high road could return many good benefits in the future for everyone. The kid will learn a valuable lesson and in addition to the cost of repairs, you could suggest to his father that some community service be provided... like waxing your daughters car and maybe your boat!
 
KP49 said:
I think you are a pretty nice guy for not getting the police involved.
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When did a seeming small prank become a crime? Even if it went wrong? What is the charge?

Gofirstclass said:
I disagree that it was ignorance....it was an adolescent mentality that caused it, not ignorance. Boys at that age aren't known for being deep thinkers. Seldom to the think ahead to the point where they could really analyze that end result. They did it because they like your daughter, not to cause her any malicious harm.

I did enough dumb stunts at that age for everyone on here. Go easy on them and turn this into a learning lesson for them.

Always take the high road and you'll build much good karma.
Click to expand...

This is excellent advice. The pranksters should be held accountable. I too did my share of dumb stuff.

And one last question, why the h377 is a gas line within a zip tie of a driveshaft? That seems dangerous on its own.

MM
 
jrseitz said:
+1. No doubt the results could have been dissasterous and you have every right to be upset. But to second what Gofirstclass said, taking the high road could return many good benefits in the future for everyone. The kid will learn a valuable lesson and in addition to the cost of repairs, you could suggest to his father that some community service be provided... like waxing your daughters car and maybe your boat!
Click to expand...

The boat wax job is a great suggestion.

MM
 
The kid is going to be punished enough from his parents (I hope), and the bill! I'm not trying to start a fight or anything but, how does a zip tie rupture a high pressure fuel line? The high side of mine is metal, cheap metal, but metal all the same. Even if it was rubber fuel line we all know how hard it is to cut one of those things. I am very happy no one was hurt, we ALL did stupid stuff to get some girls attention, don't punish this kids future by putting vandalism on his record for playing a stupid prank. Good luck with the thing, and Merry Christmas
 
I like that idea the boat does need a good coat of wax and it is setting in my warehouse right now. Have him come over and take care of that. LOL
 
It was not a "little" zip tie. It was about 1/2 inch the type that the cops use for handcuffs. It was spinning around and repeatedly hit the line. Very easy to split a aluminum line with that kind of force.

It is vandalism and that is a crime. I have him on a text saying he did it and I just went and looked at the video of him doing it. BUSTED..... I prefer to let his parents handle it and pay me for full repairs and towing. The idea of waxing the boat or her car is not bad. But I am not sure I want him around my stuff. I have a tow truck coming to get it and then it will be repaired and I will take the bill over to his house and expect a check or cash. If he does not pay then the court action will be taken. Let's hope he does the right thing and mans up and pays..

Yes we all did stupid stuff as kids. I did my share also but I am pissed off cause this could have been real bad with gas and the hot tail pipe of the car. One in a million fluke thing but that is what happens sometimes.
 
Ok, that explains the busted line better. I'm with you tho....I wouldn't want him around the boat, he's not gonna be very happy after he gets the bill. We had a kid wash and wax the firetruck after he vandalized the school....he washed it with Brillo Pads.... He and the rookie that was there to watch over him had many hours of buffing. I do wish you the best of luck
 
But it did cause damage that is what is wrong with America today nobody will take responsibility for their actions. "Oh I did not mean for that to happen." Well it did and here is your bill be a man and pay up and face reality. That is life.
 
Bad part is....he's not the one who will pay the bill, mom and dad will. Then what did he learn? Mom and dad will pay for my mistakes? I agree, people don't accept responsibility for their actions. Still good luck
 
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