This now leaves me to wonder whether a bad head gasket could be the evil cause behind the 3.5L's rash of bent #1 rods and ovaled cylinders. If not a cause then could it be a contributing factor perhaps?

Of course we all know the connecting rods weren't properly beefed when they made the jump from 3L to 3.5L. Out of curiosity, how many miles on that 2.5L Steve?

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.