The gunk is a sure sign of neglect, the wrong oil, or you are getting
antifreeze into the oil. Time for a test. This is not a sign of poor
design but poor or improper maintenance or fluids. Timing belts and
interference engines are extremely common these days and timing chains
also fail. I still have nightmares of GM 231 V6 with the 50,000 mile ting
chains and the oil pump gears wearing though the front engine cover. Then
of coarse there was the phenolic coated sprockets leaving all the teeth
pieces in the pan.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Zeitgeist
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 10:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Wifes Audi - Oil Leak - NVC

I found that when I removed the valve cover, the breather hose and the
breather filter were nearly occluded with gunk.  After some time in my
solvent tank, I got everything back in tip-top shape.  The VC seal was
so brittle (original?), it came off in pieces.  The only problem I
have with these engines is focused entirely on the timing belt. I
strongly feel that no interference engine should have a timing
belt--period.  I had to buy the special camshaft holding bar, and
crank positioning pin in order to R&R a leaky thermostat seal.  I wish
VAG would finally drop timing belts altogether, especially on their
diesels.