Many thanks to the various list members who helped me with the problem of why
my newly acquired van was losing so much oil, and -- the wierd part -- how
said oil was getting into the intake air distributor.  This problem cost the
previous owner a valve and ring job on one side to the tune of $1200, a highly
regarded repair shop declared it a "mystery", but you guys led me to the
solution without a single trip into town!  I'm especially grateful to Ken
Lewis and Justin Jensen for their very informed, patient, and detailed
analyses.

I learned a lot about positive crankcase ventilation and many other engine
attributes that can affect it.  But it turned out that the problem was caused
merely by an improperly assembled dipstick!  The little washer that holds the
rubber stopper on, and the stopper itself, had apparently come loose and
fallen off the end of the dipstick, and had been put back in reverse order, so
that the stopper was mounted below the washer rather than above it.  This made
the dipstick act like it was way too short, and encouraged people to put in
way too much oil.

This list is a wonderful resource.  Thanks again.

John Dilworth
'86 Syncro Westy