Bad news from the garage. The "Service Engine Soon" light was on. They called and said it was from the catalytic converter, and misfirings in the engine.

He said to fix the misfirings they will clean the throttle body, fuel injectors, etc. for $200.

Because the engine has been dumping unburned fuel into the exhaust, the catalytic converter has been ruined, and we probably wouldn't pass an emissions test. (We have those in Illinois.) To replace that will cost $800. Ouch!

Oh well. The van is paid for, and the service only equals what two or three car payments would be. That always puts it in perspective for me.