TXBill and all the others who responded,

Thanks to all of you for helping me reassure the old gentleman. He is really a great guy, especially as a Father-in-law, and this was really bugging him until the car returned to normal and I passed on all the advice to the effect that all was well. He is a fanatic about taking care of the car, being of German origins. I mean, even the door jambs get wiped and waxed every Winter. And there can be no oil leaks dripping on the garage floor! He used to bust my chops about being overly concerned with my old 240D and how I was always doing something to it. Now I just smile as he acts out some previously dormant program of being nuts about his Diesel.

You never know what you will learn from one of these posts though. I was a little astonished to find out you could use the engine as an incinerator for hazardous wastes! Probably never take advantage of that feature, but it is an amusing story.

Well, once again, thanks for the input and helping my Father-in-law get over his worries about the consequential damages of his error. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)