In a message dated 5/7/00 6:26:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time, steve@SYNCRO.ORG
writes:

<< My question is what damage might have
 been done?  What got weakened?  I've
 heard that there are some plastic
 coolant pipes that go into the engine
 that VW later replaced with metal. >>

Hey Steve,

When I did this to my 87 GL, the plastic "t-pipe" at the passenger side of
the just behind of the engine became very brittle and fractured within 24
hours of the incident. Of course there is a possibility that this thing had
been baked before.

Cost me about $50 from Ron Price VW in SSF (20% for regular customers). Stay
away from Golden Gate VW in Daly City. They list this for $68. I was told by
the parts person there that it is their company's policy to quote a marked-up
price unless the customer complains. Then and only them will they quote VW's
suggested retail price.

BenT
San Francisco