Your Volkswagen Passat will function badly--and eventually not at all--if it has an oil leak. To avoid problems, you can remedy the leak by replacing the valve cover gasket. You can performance this maintenance without professional help.
Make sure the engine is cool. If it was on, turn it off and let it sit for several hours. Remove the engine cover. Remove the spark plug wires. Remove the screws holding the breather hose and the valve cover. Once the breather hose and the valve cover are disconnected, place them out of the way.
Remove the coil pack ground strap. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the coil fasteners from the valve cover.
Unscrew the bolts attached to the timing belt cover and the valve cover. Remove the upper plastic timing belt cover and then the valve cover.
Remove the old gasket and clean the seating area with automotive engine cleaner or degreaser and a cloth towel. Clean the area surrounding the camshaft chain tensioner and place RTV sealant at the corners where the camshaft tensioner meets the slinger head mating surface.
Place the new gasket in. Replace the valve cover and the timing belt cover. Tighten the bolts securing the valve cover and the timing belt into place. Place the spark plug wires, the coil packs, the ground straps and the heat-shield back in position and secure them with the appropriate bolts. Reattach the breather hose bolt and hose clamp.
