On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 16:39:37 -0700, Michael Diehr <md03@XOCHI.COM> wrote:

>The top of my 1.9l engine is a mess -- covered with oil and grime.
>It's hard to tell where the oil is coming from, but it does seem to
>be centered around the crankcase breather tower.   Are these known to
>leak?  Is there a gasket at the base that can be replaced?

Michael,

Both previous replies hit the mark so to speak. If the hose from the breather tower checks-out Ok,
look at the very top of the tower.  The tower itself has a vacuum valve inside, at the top. This can
leak oil from the joint between this valve and the outer wall of the tower.  No real fix, other than to
replace the tower.
Mine leaked at this joint... cleaned the joint 4X with Carb. cleaner attempting to get all the oil
residue out. Pushed some high-temp Si sealant into the very narrow gape. Looked good but in a
few months... oil residue seeping back out! Paid the piper (VW Parts guy) and no more oil leak.

Good luck in your search for the oil leak.

Phil Z. '87 Westfalia