1.6TD Valve Cover Breather

[SteveH]

All,
  What does everyone replace their breather with ?  My problem is that due to age, mine does not seal well between the breather and the hose, which then causes it to leak over my freshly painted engine   :evil: .  Obviously a hoseclamp won't work, as the breather is thin plastic...Any replacements ?

Thanks !
  Steve

[fspGTD]

Maybe you need a new rubber gasket/grommet that pushes into the valve cover, where the pressure regulating valve (the plastic "disc" thing) pushes inside?  It is VW part number: 028 103 500  List price is around $4:  http://www.worldimpex.com/item_detail.html?sku=40808

[SteveH]

I don't think so, as the gromet looks OK.  Perhaps my pressure regulator is shot, as I can blow air through it w/o any resistance ?

[fspGTD]

I think the crankcase vent pressure regulators are supposed to be free-flowing, unless there is a vacuum applied at the outlet in which case it closes up.  The idea is I think to safeguard against the crankcase getting vacuum in the case of a very clogged air fitler causing vacuum in the air intake.

There is supposed to be a hose clamp on the rubber crankcase vent hose that slips over the outlet of the crankcase vent pressure regulator.  Granted, since the breather outlet nipple is thin plastic like you mentioned, the hose clamp shouldn't be torqued a whole lot.  You might want to also inspect the rubber crankcase vent hose for cracks.

Anyway, if you need a good used crankcase vent pressure regulator, let me know.  These are outrageous at $60-$70 new from the dealer and that's the only place to get them that I am aware of.