Note: I've searched.

Issue 1: Yesterday I made a 600mile trip and about 300miles into my trip my low oil indicator came on. I popped the hood and I checked my oil level, 1.5 quarts missing!!! I noticed the back of my 1.8t (near the firewall) was soaked in oil, so were some suspension parts just below. After adding the oil I stopped at the next service station (VW, there was no Aud) and I got them to take a look at it. They said I had a leak from the valve cover gasket near the cam seal.

Note: After adding the oil I was missing I finished my trip which was another 300+ miles and I didn't lose any oil at all!! WTF is going on? Is there something else in the back of the 1.8T that carries oil?

Do I need more than just the valve cover gasket kit to fix this leak or is it a bigger job since its from the cam seal area?

Issue 2: During my entire trip my temp gauge would drop down every half hour or so from normal (90) to cold (60) and then it would go back to normal after 5 minutes or so.. Thermostat? ECT Sensor?

Also, are these issues related?

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

anyone?

 

Change the gasket, its likea 30 min job, then if you still get the problem, check the PCV system behind the engine.

 

yes the temp issue is the ECT, easy fix. my worry would not only be the valve cover gasket but also the rear main seal, chances are you were leaking oil and eventually the oil caused the seals to swell and better hold on to the oil you added.

 

That's exactly what I was starting to think... im going to get the valve tonight and probably change it tonight or tomorrow.. any idea what could go wrong with the PCV system or what I should look for when I take the valve cover off and get more room to reach behind the engine?

 

Also, I forgot to add it was -32 celcius in the morning before this trip.