just got a 2000 1.8t today from a dealer up in nh. I was very happy on the drive home and the car looks great and doesn't seam to have any problems aside from this little leak. I put the car in my garage and then after a few hours backed it out and saw a small dark spot. My guess and my dads is that it's oil. Seamed to be about where the middle-back of the engine was. Are there any common places that tend to get small leaks like the drain or a gasket? The leak doesn't seam to be a lot but u can definitely tell it's there. I plan to do some hunting tomorrow when it's light but i'd like to know where to start. Did a search and didn't get anything useful in the first few pages. I'd like to figure this out quickly because the car has a 30 day/1000 mile warranty.

 

Its a combo of the valve gasket and cam tensioner, both need replaced and cost about $30 for both. If you put it off, the tranny will be covered with it and it will smoke soon enough

 

sounds like your pretty sure, not that i dought your statement since you probably know more then i do but what is this based off of? Is this an easy diy and are there any links? Any other possibilities?

 

My brothers passat had the same thing and i had to change the stuff listed above. Its a pretty simple to doand im sure someone will link a useful diy for you to use.

But to check. Go to the back of your engine on the intake side there is 3 torx screws next to the vent for the valve cover. If it is most likly coming from that spot with the 3 torx bolts (cam tension gasket). It has a half moon gasket that leaks and needs to be replaced with a stiffer urathane one.

 

OMG you're kidding right??
The car has a 30 day warranty. Take it back, and say "this car is leaking oil. Please fix it under warranty, or i'll kindly take my money back."
Thats what the warranty is for, to protect you from a crappy/lemon vehicle.

 

+1!....I would have driven it right back the second I saw the spot!....good luck!