[Vwdiesel] long distance help... from AZ

[Libbybapa at wmconnect.com]

I do wood floors for a living, and the wife insists that I not do mechanicing 
on other peoples vehicles (she likes to see me sometimes).  I actually don't 
know any reputable shops in Phoenix, although I haven't looked. There is a 
sizeable all German junkyard in Phoenix (Affordable German I think) that could 
probably supply a used motor.  Quite frankly, I avoid Poenix like the plague.  
In the four years I've lived here I've only been to Phoenix three times. I get 
the willies when anyone else touches a wrench to one of my autos.  The one 
shop here in Flagstaff that will work on vw diesels just changed the timing belt 
on a friends diesel vanagon.  A week later he drove to Phoenix and back.  He 
said that it began sounding funny, kinda growling.  He decided to pull over at 
the next exit.  By the time he got to the exit he said that it was blowing a 
lot of smoke and popping.  He shut it down.  When he tried to start it again it 
just whirred.  He took it back to the same shop.  They said that the problem 
was that his camshaft had snapped, unrelated to the timing belt, of course, 
and proceded to sell him another n/a engine and charge him to install it (total 
of $3,000).  Apparently when installing it the engine slipped funny and they 
dented the injection pump sprocket really nicely.  He just borrowed a sprocket 
from me yesterday, as they said it would be Wed. before they could get another 
one.  Could smacking the injection pump sprocket hard enough to dent it 
possibly harm the injection pump?  They didn't think so.  I wonder if the seal will 
leak soon.  Anyway, if you need help finding a usable n/a motor I can 
probably help out.  I don't have one that isn't slated for a project, but know 
someone who collects them.  If you, or anyone else is cruising through Flagstaff, 
then please let me know.  There'll be a hot cup of coffee or a cold beer 
(depending on your preference and time of day) waiting.