Question-------------------------
Followup To Don
Thank you for answering me so quickly.
This mechanic put the wrong reservor in knowingly.
He said he told my daughter that it was not the right part before he
put it in. Are there any guidelines for a mechanic as to whether
he should have worked on the car at all?
thank you
Tina
Question -
A mecanic put an expansion tank/coolant reservoir
on my golf, that has the # 171 121 407 E
instead of the required # 171 121 407 F.
Also he did not attach the temperature sensor.
Now I am left with a car that does not run.
What do the letters E and F mean at the
end of the part #.
Is it possible to fix a cracked engine head?
Answer -
Tina, thank you for your question. The last letter of the VW part numbers is a revision number. E would be an older part and F would be the newer revision. What the difference would be could fall along the lines of being cosmetic or a difference in material composition (like going from PVC plastic to ABS plastic). The only reason I could see for using an earlier revision number is if the newer revision is not available (highly doubtful). As far a repairing a cracked head, it is possible to have it Heliarc, but there is no telling how long it would last. Heliarc is usually done at a Machine and welding shop and the part needs to be off of the vehicle. Additionally, Heliarc is about the only way to repair aluminum parts. By the sounds of things, you may have gotten a hold of a mechanic that is used to working on domestic vehicles and not on foreign or German vehicles. It is always a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau in your area or on the web at http://www.bbb.org.
Hope this helps
AnswerTina, thank you for your follow-up question. I have just recently added some information on my website about repair shops. I do get rather nasty with bad repair work (too much Irish in the blood). But it will give you some ideas to work with. http://www.wolfsburgii.com/shops.htm
Hope that helps
