I think you're right. I chose my words carefully. I know the PO, and he is not a technical person. I think he got took. The plug wires (which would be easy to check) were new, supple, and clean. The gasket (which could not be checked) was old, black and brittle.

Unfortunately, I threw the old gasket in the garbage this morning. I didn't think to look for OEM part numbers on it. I need to check to see if it was the same shop that changed (???) his timing belt 60,000 miles ago. Imagine how easy it would be to short someone on a timing belt change!

Reassuring data on your gasket life.

Mark