I don't have a verbal update yet from the mechanic -- no call, no verdict. But this week he sent over a few photos from under the hood, and that's something. The block and the turbo, up close, still in the car.
Under The Hood.
The Block.
The Turbo.
For anyone just finding this: the diagnosis going into the repair is a failed head gasket at cylinder number one. The compression test I ran in the driveway came back at 61 PSI on that cylinder while the other three were around 140. Coolant was getting pushed out the radiator neck when I cranked it. The spark plug at number one came out wet. The signs all pointed the same direction.
The wagon is in good hands. Things are moving.
The repair is supposed to cover the head gasket set, timing belt kit, camshaft seals, and the gaskets on the turbo since they're old and breaking down anyway. I'm waiting on the mechanic to tell me what he actually found when he got in there. Once I hear more, I'll post it.