Well, things are starting to settle down. I'm at work and have access the the net without having to bother the hotel manager. Kind of nice to have more of an office job after 18 years being mostly out on the highway. My desk has a window which looks out at the Saint Clair river, not more than 50 feet away, and across the water to Canada. In fact just a few minutes ago the John G. Munson passed inbound to Lake Huron and I couldn't help but notice that the JGM looks just like the Edmund Fitzgerald (possibly sister ships??).

I'll be heading out for Toronto this afternoon soon as I get off. I will be keeping a close eye on the oil usage. I ended up using almost 5 quarts on the drive up. Prior to leaving I was using only about 1.5 quarts during a 3K change cycle. Most of that was in town driving though, with occassional runs of up to 500 miles. This was the first true "long" drive I've made with the 560 and the oil usage kinda took me by surprise. I don't find any evidence of oil leaks and believe the usage to be from valve stem seals.

I have to find a "clean" spot to park the car so I can try to track any oil drips. Everyplace around is thouroughly spotted with oil and I couldn't tell you if any drips are mine but I do not see or smell any noticeable leaks when checking under the hood. I'm thinking that the combination of valve stem seal wear and longer run times, plus the heavy load had much to do with the oil usage. My jaunt to Toronto will obviously be much shorter and I will be running light. We'll see how much oil is used on this leg.

PS: Ted, I had forgotten about your buying a house WITH a garage.

__________________
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.