Everyone is allowed one BIG f-up, right?

[celly]

That almost happened to me this weekend! I got lucky and it hung up on the cowling. That's probably why my collection of tools keeps shrinking LOL.

I hear ya. Single sockets are so much more expensive that the kits they come in. Turdle and techieman33 found all sorts of odds and sods under my hood when they put in my headers this past summer.

And to the OP, I didn't see cybergasm's post as a flame. You mentioned you were making fun of yourself and all. He was asking the questions I'm sure many of of thought of too (I know I thought the same things as I read your post). The only flaming/drama I saw was in your reply to him.

Things do get lost in the translation out here on the www after all. One thing I have noticed is how gentle the boys have been treating you because you are female. Had a guy done this, I don't think they'd be as gentle. I'm an equal opportunity responder and don't hold back based on gender. It's a quality my girlfriend (now wife) was attracted to because I "wouldn't put up with her crap" because I say it like it is (not to say it doesn't get me into trouble with her!). That was 11 years ago she made that comment when we first started dating. and we've been married for 6 of those.

Good luck solving your "problem" as grim as it appears. I saw plenty of Ford engines resist the effects of sodium silicate during the Cash for Clunkers debacle so maybe you'll get off lucky by starving your engine of oil. I still find it shocking that you were able to drive away with no signs of problem, whether it be the strong smell of oil, warning lights, engine knocking or what not. Stranger things have happened.