what else to do when changing valve cover gasket?

3074 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by bleavitt23, Jul 3, 2014

bleavitt23

Discussion Starter · Jun 25, 2014

Hello all,
The Beetle is running like crap again. At the moment I'm coming up with all of the misfire codes and (can't remember the code at the moment because I already closed my laptop) a code for a pressure difference between the turbo and throttle body. That's not the point of this post, though. I'm sure it'll be a separate one soon...

Anyways - in the search for air leaks (I pressurize the intake and spray soapy water) I found that at just about the entire front of the valve cover is leaking (which I'm thinking/hoping could be the source of the P0171 code the car's had for years). So I'm going to order a new gasket set, but I was wondering if there is anything else that should be done while the VC is off? Is it worth it to replace the VVT solenoid or are those pretty reliable? Also - The valvetrain is pretty noisy at idle and if there is something (common causes?) that can be done about that without removing the head I'm willing to do it.

I haven't gotten around to getting under the car to check the intake hoses between the turbo and throttle body, but like I said, that's for another post.

Thanks,
B

Save

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

esse10

· #2 · Jun 25, 2014

gaskets

Some folks do the half moon gasket also while the vc is off and some do the valves timing chain tensioner. I didn't do mine because they were not leaking at the time but will consider doing them the next time around.

Save

bleavitt23

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 27, 2014

I know that half moon thing is leaking as well so that's in the plan. I know I saw some place that sells that gasket together with the VC gasket, but I can't remember where I saw it. Gotta keep on searching...

Save

billymade

· #4 · Jun 27, 2014

Depending on how many miles are on the car and your willingness to change it; you might consider replacing the cam seals as well. Needless to say; a set of spark plugs, wouldn't be bad either (basically a major tune up; everything will be off and check all the vacuum hoses, plastic hoses, valves, test turbo related vacuum/boost system components, diverter valve, kombi valve, secondary injection hoses, pcv valve, etc etc.).

Save

bleavitt23

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 2, 2014

I've changed the PCV valve within the past year and a half or so, and most of the vacuum lines have been converted over to silicone because they were cracking. I have plugs and a set of gaskets on the way. The cam seals were replaced a couple of years ago. I have already tested the diverter valve because of that "pressure differential" code I got and it is OK. There is one check valve that has a leak in the plastic casing. The one the connects to the hose between the air filter and the turbo. It's a small leak, but I'll replace it once I figure out what it's actually called.

Once the new gaskets are in place I'll have to pressure test it again. Hopefully that'll take care of the leaks as I couldn't find any more. We shall see...

Thank you for the replies. I will update when I get time to work on it again.

See less See more

Save

esse10

· #6 · Jul 2, 2014

silicone

bleavitt23 said:
I've changed the PCV valve within the past year and a half or so, and most of the vacuum lines have been converted over to silicone because they were cracking. I have plugs and a set of gaskets on the way. The cam seals were replaced a couple of years ago. I have already tested the diverter valve because of that "pressure differential" code I got and it is OK. There is one check valve that has a leak in the plastic casing. The one the connects to the hose between the air filter and the turbo. It's a small leak, but I'll replace it once I figure out what it's actually called.

Once the new gaskets are in place I'll have to pressure test it again. Hopefully that'll take care of the leaks as I couldn't find any more. We shall see...

Thank you for the replies. I will update when I get time to work on it again.

You changed your vacuum hoses to silicone? Which ones? what color and size are you talking about? you have the part number and where you bought those?
any pictures would be helpful

Save

bleavitt23

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 2, 2014

esse10 said:
You changed your vacuum hoses to silicone? Which ones? what color and size are you talking about? you have the part number and where you bought those?
any pictures would be helpful

I haven't done all of them - only the ones I've had problems with or looked like they would be trouble relatively soon. I mostly just used straight hose that I buy from SiliconeIntakes.com. Theirs is good because it's thick-walled and doesn't collapse under vacuum. The only preformed silicone hoses I have on there is the breather set from 034 Motorsports and the intake hose (don't recall where I bought that one...). Sorry - I don't have part numbers for anything.

Here's a photo (see below). I had to put that "tee" in the hose for the fuel pressure regulator because the other nipple snapped off the intake manifold. Also - pay no attention to my ghetto-rigged brake booster.

See less See more

Save

billymade

· #8 · Jul 3, 2014

Don't mean to hijack the thread; however, bleavitt23, on the breather kit from 034 Motorsports, which one did you get the "early" or "late" 1.8T kit?

Breather Hose Kit, Early MkIV Volkswagen 1.8T AWV/AWW/AWP, Reinforced Silicone - 034Motorsport | Performance Parts for Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen

Breather Hose Kit, Late MkIV Volkswagen 1.8T AWP, Reinforced Silicone - 034Motorsport | Performance Parts for Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen

Did the kit fit and work correctly? I tried emailing 034 MS; for correct fitment info and they didn't help me figure out which one to get for my car 2002 New Beetle TUrbo S AWP 1.8T. 034 MS; makes some nice stuff but their CS and response on tech issues, isn't always that helpful/great.

Save

bleavitt23

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 3, 2014

I got the early kit. It's been a couple years, but as far as I remember everything went in pretty easy with that kit. I don't know if it's the same now, but when I bought it the valve cover breather hose used an adapter piece to fit the smaller nipple on the earlier valve cover. I do remember the pcv valve that came with the kit didn't seal very well so I went out and got a different one. Looks like they include a different pcv valve now, though. The one I got was plastic.

I think the easiest way to tell which kit is needed would be to measure the diameter of the nipple on the side of the valve cover.

Save

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month