-OvO-

After I pulled the valve covers, I found that two of the sparkplug tube seals on each side were deformed and damaged. Something appears to have snagged on the seal and pulled it out of place and the only thing that seems plausible is that it was done by a sparkplug when they were first installed. It's quite distinctive.

There's a picture here.<ul><li><a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/83429/gasket.jpg">http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/83429/gasket.jpg</a</li></ul>

tonypai

I just got my new valve cover gaskets, probably replace over Labor Day weekend.

Let me know how it goes.

-OvO-

just finished one side, started on the other.
The procedure posted on audipages covers it pretty well. A couple of things might not be obvious:

1. I'm not sure you really need to remove the fuel lines to get the starboard valve cover out, but if you do, you probably should use flare nut wrenches on them instead of open-end wrenches.

2. If you have a set of ramps, put the car up on them before you start - assuming you're taller than 5'4". It's easier on your back, and you will inevitably have to go under the car to retrieve a bolt or a wrench, anyway.

3. It will be difficult, maybe impossible, to get at the bolt in the lower rear corner of each cover if you don't have a floppy adapter for your socket set.

Jim - 03S8

There's a recall on this.

-OvO-

the other side was worse...