1981 Rabbit Diesel valve cover gasket

I prefer the cork gaskets over the fiber ones. Both are one-use, but you can also purchase a neoprene gasket for more $$ that is re-usuable. Probably overkill unless you are in the engine a lot.

Ditto on the overtightening, too tight and you warp the valve cover and it leaks forever. The trick is to remove all old gasket material, as bumpiness and roughness on the valve cover or on the head mating surface make for poor sealing. I have not as yet found it necessary to use sealer.

Since you have the cover off anyway, be sure you have a cam oil baffle plate installed. It just lays on top of the cam caps and helps prevent runaway and reduces oil consumption. Costs about $15 if your car is missing it. OEM is metal, aftermarket is plastic but both work fine.

I used cork gaskets in my 1976 Rabbit for years and never could get them to seal correctly. Once I switched to the neoprene gasket, I never had another leak.

After you have had to replace two or three leaking cork gaskets, the neoprene gasket is a bargain.

In fact, I also switched to a neoprene gasket for the oil pan. Haven't had a leak since switching.

Agreed! I was amazed how much this simple step reduced the oil being sucked into my PCV valve (carburated Rabbit).

One extra benefit, if you "accidently" forget to put the oil filler cap on, you won't end up with oil sprayed all over the engine compartment. :)

Anthony