Oil Leak - From valve cover??

[zmladen]

Hi Folks,

On our 2000 NB 1.8T, we are getting an oil leak from the valve cover gasket. It is coming on the back driver side of the head, where the half moon is cut into the head. We put a new valve cover gasket on with no fix. Took it off and put some sealant just around the half moon portion of the gasket - still leaking.

I am wondering if there is an issue with the ventilation? I pulled the hose off of the valve cover and blew and sucked air through it - no problem there. I checked the PCV equivalvent that goes to the intake boot, breates easily in both directions - that seems odd?? Likely bad - I thought it should only go in one direction - into the boot.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so how did you fix it. Looking at the engine, it looks like this leak has been there for a long time. We recently purchased it.

Thanx for your insight!

Z

[nyum96]

Same here. I believe there is a "seal" that goes around the two camshafts in that area. Thats the only reason why it would leak, if not the valve cover.

[hannaco]

With the motor running, carefully remove the oil filler cap. Is a lot of air/vapor escaping?
The PVC system is made up of a series of hoses, check valves, and connectors. Why VW couldn't just use a cheap PCV valve is something only for the German mind to comprehend.

[zmladen]

I did a test of the breather system. Air is blowing out of the valve cover when I remove the hose. I then followed the lines all the way to the valve on the intake boot. Everything seemed okay there. Only problem I found was that the valve is not working correctly. Its locked in a partially open position. Picking up a new one tomorrow. I believe this is causing pressure to biuld up in the head and then the oil abd pressure have to get out somewhere.

Z