need big time help

[Dan Simoes <dans@ans.net>]

OK folks.  The mechanic just called and this is his take on the
smoking/misfiring engine.  I had switched it to Mobil One 5w30 
with factory filter about 2000 miles ago.  He thinks that the Mob1
is too thin for the engine and that it "queered" the engine.
Basically oil was getting into the cylinders and causing it to 
run rough, and ultimately a lot of oil, causing it to smoke
excessively.  He says my only options are a) rebuild and b)
replacement, he recommends the latter.

I suggested flushing the engine and running a thicker oil, 
because as I pointed out, none of the engine tolerances should
really have changed.  He's going to dump some 10w40 in and see
what that does and call me back.  Does this make sense?  

I guess I'm looking for feedback overall.  Is this a possible
scenario?  He claims he's seen several engines do this on Mobil
One.  If so, Mobil's footing the bill for this if I have any say
in the matter.  I also wonder why it ran fine for 2000 miles or
so then suddenly did this.

Postmortem... he just called and reports that the #1 and 2 plugs 
were soaked in oil, but #3 was dry and... the plug tip was ripped 
out.  His guess is low oil pressure.  At this point, he said it's
not even worth putting oil in the engine.

Oh, and that half-joke about sticking in a turbo engine?  He said
the conversion runs about $6000 total.  A standard replacement
should run $500-800 for the motor and 15 hours of labor ($900 
at $60/hr).

Sigh...

| Dan |
-- 
Dan Simoes			          dans@ans.net
ANS 				http://coimbra.ans.net/dans.html
100 Clearbrook Road  			(914) 789-5378 (voice)
Elmsford, NY 10523			(914) 789-5310 (fax)