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Bill, like I said, they were doing a valve job and rings. The fire, as I understand it, happened when they couldn't get her started and one injector sprung a leak. They supposedly put it out real fast but the harness wire to the coil was dangling unclaimed and got its inslation fried. Yes I do know then (see my earlier posting) and the guy used to be pretty honest and reliable, and still is "sometimes", but the time came (mid 60s & poor health) to pass on the torch. well, no one was interested except one son who slammed rice burners for fun and hates vws. So, there you have it. I have no idea how they broke the ign switch or the sunvisor clip, or, or, or. I just know that its over and will never happen again. I don't think I need any Inj. stuff but will be able to tell once I assess the situation when I get the car back ( I refused to take it untill they replaced the ign switch).

vwaddict:

I'll get the dipstick out tomorrow

Many many thanks.

Raygreenwood:

I have used a type 3 dipstick in a type 4.

I had no idea that the caps are swapable! coulda used my type 3's dipstick to at least get her home.

If the ignition switch electrical part is bad, it's the same as a bug the same year. The visor clips are bug also. Lots of stuff interchanges with a type 1. Try to get the good stuff like WCM. Good luck.

No kidden!, my type3 aint like that so I din't expect a 412 to be.

Hey Longbeach, sorry to stir up the bad times! So are you saying they did a motor rebuild? I know you said revalve and rings but that would basically be pulling the motor? If they couldnt do the motor work have you seen this site? http://www.haminc.biz/ I have seen a FI harness on ebay. I think the guy is selling the motor and fuel injection system seperate. I would check out how they were doing the injection reinstall! It sounds like a big pain!! But sounds usual for us 411/412 guys! I remember once taking my old 412 to the dealer for a tuneup and clutch adj. and got there early and put in new rotor/cap/wires/points/condenser in the parking lot and just asked to do the settings well I arrived and went to the service desk and when I look at the bill it says needed new points/cap/rotor/wires! LOL! LOL! I said so the parts were bad from you driving it in the door since I replaced them in the parking lot! What a look on there faces!! LOL! I asked for my parts backs and I knew which were mine! So you arent alone man!! I have heard of so many shops going from Dad to Son who doesnt want to do it or VW's anymore too! Sad Times! Well good luck with it! I would look at replacing the engine wiring harness?? Bill

Yes I am with you, and they pulled the motor, cleaned it, checked it and did the heads and rings, broke ign switch and visor clip and lost the dipstick, all for $950. will tell for sure when I get her back and go over everything. The thing is I went to this guy originally because he wasn't like these dealers and thugs you describe. During his hayday he'd tell ya what you need and what you don't. He was the only one that didn't tell me to scrap the FI system when I got my type3 and was looking for someone to work on it when I can't. He'd do a tune up for $29 and then do a couple of extra things on the house, like adjust the clutch, or the brakes. And if he could'nt fix the problem, he wont charge you a dime. He had been a vw mechanic for 45 yrs and was real good and a nice humble man too. Untill age, an assortment of illness and lack of help. His 2nd mechanic put a .44 in his mouth, his older son got into drugs, and now his only good son isn't into it and you can see sorrow and resignation in the old man's manners. Too bad, I witnessed an end of an era, and paid for it too! I even still went to him ( 20 mi ) after finding a good mechanic practically in my back yard. You gotta know when to hold'em