Procyon - Thanks for you insight on the valve. The conditions were just as you described - cold morning, cold engine, thick oil. My wife was driving the kids to school when it happened. She did say that "some light came on just before the car quit working". It's a safe bet that it was the oil light. I was already at work when she called to give me the "good" news and ask what to do now. FYI, Ford Roadside assistance was great. It's the second time in two years that we needed them, though. I'm beginning to wonder about the longer term reliability of my car and am very nervous about what life will be like without a warranty on this car (the warranty is up in October). It's too bad because I love the car.
