RESEND: Lost a lot of oil

[sciroccos at earthlink.net (Jim Ruffi)]

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>-----Original Message-----
>From: scirocco-l-bounces+sciroccos=earthlink.net@scirocco.org
>[mailto:scirocco-l-bounces+sciroccos=earthlink.net@scirocco.org]On
>Behalf Of Jim Ruffi
>Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 1:23 PM
>To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
>Subject: Lost a lot of oil
>
>
>Had my trans out and oil pan off last week.  Have driven the 8v a few
>hundred miles, tops.  Checked the oil before a long drive on Saturday and
>found it wasn't even on the dipstick!  Almost 2 quarts later, I was OK.
>
>Really dumb, but I didn't check the level after I put the car
>together, just
>added the appropriate amount ("with filter change") per the Bentley and
>never bothered verifying via the dipstick.  When the pan was off, the oil
>pump spewed a few times...maybe more oil came out than would with a normal
>drain plug removal?  I can't imagine it being more than a few ounces,
>though.  The dipstick looks original and is properly seated.  The plastic
>tube (orange) is seated properly and is intact.
>
>This car runs well: no smoke that I've been able to see, absolutely no oil
>leaking at this point from underneath.  I remember back in the day that
>exhaust valve stem seals could leak and tons of oil would blow out of the
>exhaust, without giving much notice to the drive.....
>
>I did notice that I drove it for a couple of days with the small
>intake-to-head breather hose disconnected.  Reconnected that right before
>inspection - emissions numbers were very good.
>
>Now that I've added oil, I'm considering draining it, measuring
>the quantity
>and refilling it to make sure I'm not overfilled somehow.  But the dipstick
>shows about 80% into the hatched area.  It'll really piss me off if I have
>to r&r the head and take care of this!!!  This car was supposed to be
>cheap!!!!!
>
>FYI
>Stock 85 8V, 180k miles, 10-40 oil
>What gives??
>Any advice would be gratefully welcomed.
>
>Jim
>