On Tue, 18 Nov 2003, John Connors wrote:

> 1.  What kind of damage could be done?  I haven't driven in any dusty
> conditions and my van has only been used around town.

Generally, accellerated wear, especially to the rings.

> 2.  What should I do, if anything, to clean up the mess caused by a lack of
> air filter?

Change the oil.  Clean any obvious dust out of the intake parts you can
easily reach.  Ask the VW gods for forgiveness.  Then just make sure you
run with an air filter in the future.  Odds are you haven't done any
serious damage, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

> 3.  Should I go smack the mechanic around that was working on it when it
> surreptiously disappeared?

Probably.  I mean, it can't have gone anywhere on its own, can it?

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si -- For Sale
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon