What it the purpose of the black plastic cover on the driver side cam under the valve cover. And, I only had one piece in there, which covers only half the cam. Also, on my atw, there is no rear breather hose. More German over engineering? Because, I left mine out by accident and I wonder if I need to take it back apart.

2000 1.8 atw

 

Pictures of some type would help alot

 

Pics shouldn't be necessary - you've either seen them when doing a Valve Cover job or not. These plastic covers are the only movable thing under the V Cover that isn't screwed down.

But, I found a picture:
http://www.europarts4sale.com/servle...aver-VW/Detail

 

The cover only goes over half of the cam because its purpose is to keep oil from being flung out of the filler hole if you remove the cap with the engine running.

 

Yeah the plastic cover doesn't do ****, just stops oil from slinging. Plenty of people including myself don't run them. As for no breather on your atw valve cover, that is normal. Aeb and atw pcv systems don't include a valve cover breather port, awm and newer do. You can run whatever you like, and there are many aeb/atw people that run a ported VC with a breather, but it's usually to a catch can

 

Thanks to all. I ain't pulling it back apart. no matter what, with 192,000 miles, I'll take my chances. and it does seem to be over engineering to protect the stupid. Cheers.