Yeah, thanks guys. I'm sure it was my error, not really sure what I did, but everything seems fine - with the exception of that sound when the engine's cold. It just burned through a quart in about 1000 miles, that is all that concerned me, oh, and the fact that the dipstick appeared dry even though I followed all the proper procedures for checking it (I'm not completely mechanically challenged). Thanks for the support and advice!

Glad it turned out ok.

The sound you mention when the car is cold ,is it a tapping noise?How soon do you stop hearing it?

The sound is like a puffing sound, and the exhaust even pulses to the sound. It stays until it's warmed up completely, usually about 5 minutes or so, ever heard of this?

Sounds like an exhaust manifold leak or exhaust gasket leak.

I am agreeing with Cary that it is an exhaust leak somewhere!But it should still be audible even when the car is warmed up!A leak doesnt just go away!

We have been having this problem too when it gets really cold outside. I heard it about 5-6 times this winter. Needless to say, the dealer can't replicate the problem. When I posted this earlier, most people though it was the fact that the crankcase vent system gets clogged sometimes.

:iagree: Good place to start: that crank vent situ...a few winters ago there was a rash of reported engine blows and clogged cranks from the emulsified mess of vapors/water and cold temps. Worth a shot, imo.
GL,md

Often when exhaust problems start they are only audible when the engine is cold. As the exhaust heats up, the metal expands and seals the leak. As the problem progresses it gets to the point where the expansion of the metal can no longer seal the leak.

When you hear this sound ,can you smell exhaust gases?Do you know where in th enginethe sound is coming from?

Yeah, I can smell exhaust, but only around back. I'm not sure where exactly it comes from, just pulses out the tail pipes, and there's a faint sound under the hood.