I went to look at my car today, this time with a translator. The IP has been completely removed from the car and dismantled... They've also removed the cam cover and the fuel injectors. What the...? Pictures follow:
Engine compartment
"Rusty" shaft
"Rusty" haft
Interior of IP
So I first asked the guy what the problem was, and he said the problem was there was/had been water in the IP. As evidence he showed me the cam(??) shaft taken from the IP, with rust on it. Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry.
He also told me (I think) that there was damage inside of the pump housing (last picture above), which I took a picture of.
You'll also notice the white marks and cable ties on the timing belt (first picture). When I questioned him about this, he assured me this was "just as good" as the other method (of aligning the engine at top-center, and aligning the IP, etc) but that his method is just as good, and is preferred in Mexico, because "We do things differently in Mexico than in the USA." Whatever...
He also told me that the "positioner" didn't work. I'm not sure what that is, but what he showed me when describing this problem was the part that sits on top of the IP, which, I believe is/contains the quantity adjuster. I'm not sure how he determined it didn't work... would this burn out if trying to start the engine with leaky seals? If not, then it seems like an amazing coincidence that the "positioner"/quantity adjuster would die at exactly the same instant that the seals began to leak.
So clearly at this point, I must replace the injection pump. My only question at this point is: Should I trust this guy to do it, or should I take the car to a VW dealer? (I have an appointment at the VW dealership for Monday morning if I choose to go that route.)
Reasons that _I feel_ like I can't trust this guy:
1. He told me my car doesn't have an ECU.
2. He prefers the 'mark-and-pray' timing method, for timing.
3. He removed the cam cover and injectors from my engine for no apparent reason.
4. His claim that the "positioner" doesn't work
What do the experts here think? Will I get a more competent mechanic at a VW dealership (which I distrust back home anyway, but at this point I think I may distrust the VW dealerships less than I distrust this guy.)