PCV Breather hose broken 1997 audi a4 1.8tq
 

So I was replacing the thermostat on my 97 audi a4 1.8t and while looking for the flange where the thermostat was located (found and replaced) I was checking under the manifold I noticed the PCV breather valve

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/377582_x800.jpg

was broken. From the looks of the surrounding area it's been like this for a while...gunk and oil built up.

I found one for $17.50 on ebay
[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/u9UAAOxy-W9SQfNd/$T2eC16F,!)EFIpO+yl8yBSQfNdJF-w~~60_57.JPG[.img]

I got my pointer finger on it and applied a bit of pressure...upper part was already broken off and guess what happened...the bottom snapped off. It took 30 min to get the bottom out... (pain in the butt working under the manifold)(and yes I pulled the clip out first)
Can I still drive the car with the breather out? Other than getting some more oil on the block will it affect vacuum or anything else? Can I wrap some microfiber over the top so it's not as bad and no debris get's in? Also does the upper point have a c clip as well...it was getting dark and the flashlight wasn't quite doing it.
Thanks

i did this last year on my 2000 atw. I had to remove the fuel rail to get enough access to get it done, reaching between the manifold tubes from above and long arm reaches from below, and I never got the clip back on. Or the clamps. There is an o ring down in there, also. But, I think this is more German over-engineering to clamp and clip, so it has been fine for over a year. to do all the 'correct' way I'm guessing you need to remove the intake mani. I never got a code or dash light, but could smell the engine blow vapors that were leaking into the engine compartment rather than being re-burned, and found the problem. I just wasn't going to remove the intake manifold for what is essentially a pollution prevention item, unless my 80% install process fails in the future.