Dave Ware wrote:

> The sad deal is this:  Two different repair shops (non-VW shops) have told
> him that one cylinder has no compression, and at least one valve is burned.
> So he needs a new engine.  He also needs a new exhaust and will not pass
> Monday's E-Check without one.

Dave,
You may want to take it to a list-recommended repair shop. One bad valve does
not necessarily require the engine to be rebuilt/replaced. If everything else
looks good, the head can be pulled and rebuilt or replaced, $300 to $600
depending on parts needed. The exhaust system would probably pass inspection
with the replacement of just the bad section, readily available from one of the
fine list vendors at reasonable cost. You might get it back on the road for as
little as $500.
Get another opinion!
Larry