Hi Dan - this might sound strange but how rusty are your valve covers?
When I first bought my Syncro a number of years back, I had a number of
small oil leaks and some were dripping off the bottoms of both valve
covers.  When I pulled the covers during a very sunny day - I notice a
number of pin holes where the oil was able to seep through.  Have a
thorough look at the covers as the mystery may be interconnected to their
condition.

I replaced  the valve covers and most of the leaks stopped at that time.
Currently I just use the gasket and cover with no silicone and everything
is bone dry.

Bruce

On Friday, August 14, 2020, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> Related to this topic, here's a question...
> - is the position of the retainer clip important? (as in up side down or
> right side up)
>
> I've heard if you put it wrong you may have a small leak but I never try
> it...
>
> thanks
>
> On Fri, Aug 14, 2020 at 10:03 AM Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> >  I have always cleaned the cover and used a very light smear of black
> > permatex just to hold it in place (not needed to prevent leaking) on the
> > inside of the cover.
> >
> >
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Aug 14, 2020 at 11:32 AM,  <Dave Weaver (mailto:busboy-nh@comcast.net
> )>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >  Have a minor oil leak around the valve cover on my 1988 2.1 GL vanagon
> > 2wd. It’s on the driver’s side so not a lot of space to work around the
> > stock exhaust
> > >
> > > Have new cork gaskets, but am looking for tips and suggestions to be
> > sure I get it right the first time.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > Dave
> > > 1988 Vanagon GL 2.1
> > > 1990 Westy TIICO 2.0
> > > 2014 Tiguan R-line
> > > 2015 GTI Autobahn
> > >
> > > Suggestions?
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPhone
> > >
> >
>