2000 Beetle Valve Cover Gasket?

[Stickyhammy]

So I saw that I had a very small amount of oil dropping onto the floor of the garage, and I just had a new oil pan installed a few months ago. Took it to the dealer hoping they made a mistake and would fix it for free and they listed the problem as Leaking Valve Cover Gaskets.

Okay thats fine and dandy however they want 320 dollars to fix it. I looked up the price of the gasket itself and thats only 20 bucks. 300 dollars in labor? He said it would take 2 hours.

So I am looking for people who know how to replace a Valve Cover Gasket on a 2.0 2000 VW New Beetle. I would like to know how hard it is to get to the gasket to inspect it myself to make sure the dealer isn't just pulling a problem out of a hat and wanting my credit card #. Also how hard is it to replace the Valve Cover Gaskets in the event that I do see that it is leaking?

Should keep in mind I am very anti car when it comes to fixing things. I opened the hood and cant even find the valve cover. Watched a video on replacing the gasket in a Honda and it didn't look that bad. A bugs engine compartment is so much smaller I don't doubt it would be a hassle.

[D2Beetle]

The upper half of the intake will have to come off, that is where the labor is; not to mention the gaskets for it as well. Here is pic of what a 2.0 looks like with the upper intake and valve cover removed.

[The Cheat]

if it takes longer than an hour to do, i'll hang up my hat.

even on my first time doing one, it only took 45 minutes.

[Canadianbugin]

This is what the whole cylinder head looks like on a 2.0l Aeg..Not sure which engine you have but the concept is similar for all engines in our NB's. #18 is what needs to be replaced.. I have done this job in about an hour..not difficult if you have a repair manual and basic hand tools and knowledge...

[CoriBug]

You're sure it's the gasket? My NB had a slow oil leak for months. The dealer diagnosed it as a bad valve cover gasket and quoted me $400. I took it to an independent shop and they said the same thing after they got it on the lift. I finally took it to a VW mechanic and he found the real culprit - cracked oil cap for $25. He followed the trail of oil all the way to the source.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by CoriBug

You're sure it's the gasket? My NB had a slow oil leak for months. The dealer diagnosed it as a bad valve cover gasket and quoted me $400. I took it to an independent shop and they said the same thing after they got it on the lift. I finally took it to a VW mechanic and he found the real culprit - cracked oil cap for $25. He followed the trail of oil all the way to the source.

No i am not sure....just tryin to help....Hard to be an internet mechanic when you cannot see it for real....Some peoples kid's..???

[Pseudotropheus]

The dealership is full of potatos. leaking valve cover gasket. Very likely. However, 2 hours labor on that? BS

I assume their charging you flat rate? Not an hourly charge. That would be 150 an hour.

On flat rate, they say 2 hours and will have it done in 1.
I absolutely "hate" shops that charge a ridiculous labor rate on a flat rate job. 70-90 bux is all I see here.

Take it to another local VW private shop. That job is not that difficult.

Alldata says labor time is 1.6 hours. Mitchell on-demand says 1.7.

not even 2 hours. I am smellin the BS

[CoriBug]

Originally Posted by Canadianbugin

No i am not sure....just tryin to help....Hard to be an internet mechanic when you cannot see it for real....Some peoples kid's..???

Huh? I wasn't talking to you. If you read the original post he asked about his valve cover gasket.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by CoriBug

Huh? I wasn't talking to you. If you read the original post he asked about his valve cover gasket.

As i said i am trying to help the OP as he or she doe's not know where it is comming from...???? Can you see what he's talking about though the internet??? If you can your better than me...The point being....Trying to save him or her some $ as this is a good DIY project and will save lot's of cash if done by the OP... Instead of the stealer...Save the attitude for someone else....

[CoriBug]

Originally Posted by Canadianbugin

As i said i am trying to help the OP as he or she doe's not know where it is comming from...???? Can you see what he's talking about though the internet??? If you can your better than me...The point being....Trying to save him or her some $ as this is a good DIY project and will save lot's of cash if done by the OP... Instead of the stealer...Save the attitude for someone else....

I still don't understand why you're so offended. The OP.said their car has an oil leak. I replied and said that mine also had a small leak and it turned out to be the oil cap. I asked them if they were sure the problem was the gasket and all of sudden you're upset with me. I don't have an attitude but you seem to have one.


For the OP: did you confirm the diagnosis?

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by CoriBug

I still don't understand why you're so offended. The OP.said their car has an oil leak. I replied and said that mine also had a small leak and it turned out to be the oil cap. I asked them if they were sure the problem was the gasket and all of sudden you're upset with me. I don't have an attitude but you seem to have one.


For the OP: did you confirm the diagnosis?

I was not talkin to you is what offended me......Just tryin to help someone else and i get that kind of a comment....Do have any idea what you are talkin bout.....???????? As said by the OP it was the valve cover gasket as diagnosed by VW.... So the question to the OP is where is the leak....????

[noR]

Originally Posted by Canadianbugin

I was not talkin to you is what offended me......

Cori wasnt' talking to you either.

both user comments were directed to the OP.


It'll be fine, everyone's trying to help. Everyone has ideas. Let's just show all the ideas all the common occurances, problems, solutions; and then it's the OPs job to sort it out.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by noR

Cori wasnt' talking to you either.

both user comments were directed to the OP.


It'll be fine, everyone's trying to help. Everyone has ideas. Let's just show all the ideas all the common occurances, problems, solutions; and then it's the OPs job to sort it out.

Thank's Ref....

[CoriBug]

Originally Posted by noR

Cori wasnt' talking to you either.

both user comments were directed to the OP.


It'll be fine, everyone's trying to help. Everyone has ideas. Let's just show all the ideas all the common occurances, problems, solutions; and then it's the OPs job to sort it out.

Thank you Ron. Amazing how comments can be taken the wrong way. The OP hasn't replied - I wonder if they went ahead with the repair

[noR]

it's a shame, it doesn't appear they had much desire or practice to DIY. But it would have been a good one, even for a newbie.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Pseudotropheus

The dealership is full of potatos. leaking valve cover gasket. Very likely. However, 2 hours labor on that? BS

I assume their charging you flat rate? Not an hourly charge. That would be 150 an hour.

On flat rate, they say 2 hours and will have it done in 1.
I absolutely "hate" shops that charge a ridiculous labor rate on a flat rate job. 70-90 bux is all I see here.

Take it to another local VW private shop. That job is not that difficult.

Alldata says labor time is 1.6 hours. Mitchell on-demand says 1.7.

not even 2 hours. I am smellin the BS

As far as I can see , its not 150 per hour . What I do see not included in this quote is stuff like the upper intake gasket , any shop supplies , taxes , environmental fees , etc . All that stuff adds up quickly!

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by Dakota

As far as I can see , its not 150 per hour . What I do see not included in this quote is stuff like the upper intake gasket , any shop supplies , taxes , environmental fees , etc . All that stuff adds up quickly!

How about now? #15 and #11 are you only gaskets and #9 is vacuum hose; gaskets are $5-$7 from the dealer and .10 foot for the hose; you'll need 4-5 inches. Shops supplies? one roll of paper towels $1. Taxes? What ever your state charges. Environmental fees? Do it in your garage.

[daughtersbeetle]

***It says to use sealant on the bearing cap and #1 cylinder....do you use sealant and the gasket ???

***What do you use to clean the surfaces ?

***Can you use sealant in place of the gasket for #11(the smaller intake gasket)

*** Why do you have to replace the hose ?

[daughtersbeetle]

Took the Vent housing(#3) off,and its cracked inside and the gasket(#5) on top of the valve cover looks worn out....

Is this a dealer only part ??

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by daughtersbeetle

***It says to use sealant on the bearing cap and #1 cylinder....do you use sealant and the gasket ???

***What do you use to clean the surfaces ?

***Can you use sealant in place of the gasket for #11(the smaller intake gasket)

*** Why do you have to replace the hose ?

Bearing cap? Not familiar with that name, need a pic.

Technically you can use "permatex" type sealants just about anywhere, but here is what you need to consider...

1) ... loose sealant material
2) ... get an even displacement of sealant
3) ... can it take the heat and/or pressure

Number one and two are you going to be your biggest problem; having your intake manifold suck any of the sealant in would be disastrous.

Which hose are you referring to?