Couple of things. And I think I'll copy your email too in case you miss this.

First, you do have a point about counter help and their "professional opinions". We had a good laugh around here a while back when some dipstick at the Autozone cautioned me not to buy Mobil one synthetic, "Cuz dem German cars jess don't like it."

But this is *NOT* who I am talking about.

The machine shop my stuff is at (and the source of the comments on Gas sludge) is the --Exclusive-- machine shop for Studio City Volvo and Saab. A place I used to to work for, by the way. A father and son operation, they build race engines for sponsored teams in their spare time. I don't care if they look like the guy from 'deliverance'. They know their shit.

Almost the same thing with Pacific Radiator. Been around forever. Family owned. NOT some zit faced kid at the Autozone. If he sees 10 dead Dexcool rads for every one glycol rad. He could develop a sour opinion.

Pros vs. Shadetrees....
When Warren comes along and suggests "Marvel Mystery Oil" and whack at it with a chisel..... I mean that is an extreme example, but most of the other speculation was not much more 'professional'

Contributions........
Puhleaze..... I've been around since this was a listserve back in 96 or 97. I've contributed a helluva lot. Ask Ringlee. Check out the FAQ. Search "Irwin". I actually change my name every few months now due to shit slinging like this.

Name calling.....
I see it more as an accurate, clinical description. Coming on here, mis-quoting me due to poor reading comprehension or some vain attempt to knock me, you pull together bits and strings of dialogue stitch them together into something incongruent to what I said and then publicly come out swinging at me.... THAT is the work of a buffoon. And I stand by my comments.

Be Well,

Mullah al-Mustafa bin Fuqua