I have a leaker, it's not terrible but I'm going to replace it . I've seen the videos of guys using a PD gasket(?) and trimming it and I'm not sure I want to take the risk . The OEM cover is priced way too high for something that I may be removing in the next year or two anyhow . So let me know if they've worked out for you . Thanks !
Anyone have luck with the URO brand valve cover available through ID Parts ?
- Thread starter Mk4Play
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benIV
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2009
- Location
- Southeast NC
- TDI
- 2003 PG 5m Jetta GL Sedan, 2003 RS 5m Jetta GLS Wagon (Golf Variant)
I replaced mine two or three years ago with the one from idparts. Not sure if it’s the same now as it was when I bought but went on easy and haven’t had problems yet. :knock on wood:
Genesis
Top Post Dawg
I put one on my '03 and have had no trouble with it.
Steve Addy
Top Post Dawg
It's not like Üro made the valve cover anyway, they just rebrand parts made elsewhere, so it's worth a shot IMO.
Steve
I guess that's all I needed to hear . I.d parts has never steered me wrong , I just can't justify the cost of that OEM cover ( which has been off the car at least 3 times im aware of and it re-seald all but the last time after the most recent timing belt at 226k ) . I will get the new hardware as well . Thanks !
Genesis
Top Post Dawg
DO get some oil-resistant RTV; the gasket is not bonded on this one and you'll want to use it to get enough tack so the gasket doesn't get out of position while you're installing the cover. Of course the other side of that small inconvenience is that if the car is running 10 more years from now and the gasket gets hard and leaks it is easily replaced 
So if I purchase the Ero unit use RTV when I install it ? Or are you recommending i use RTV on my current cover ?DO get some oil-resistant RTV; the gasket is not bonded on this one and you'll want to use it to get enough tack so the gasket doesn't get out of position while you're installing the cover. Of course the other side of that small inconvenience is that if the car is running 10 more years from now and the gasket gets hard and leaks it is easily replaced
Steve Addy
Top Post Dawg
I wouldn't use RTV with a new Üro valve cover with new gasket, it shouldn't be necessary. I don't understand why they've left all the ALH owners without a replacement gasket for this? Seems very bizarre.
Factory is close to $350, which isn't going to sell very many, I'd still give the Üro a shot even though I know their reputation isn't great, but I've had some good things from them and I've bought a bunch of Üro branded stuff I can't get elsewhere. And as much as Üro didn't make the valve cover they're peddling VW didn't actually make the one their peddling either...so which is the lesser evil here?
If you were going to reuse your current cover I might try a bead of RTV with that one.
Steve
KrashDH
Top Post Dawg
I have one of these. It leaked really quickly after install. Pulled it and had to use rtv WITH the gasket against the head. It's gonna suck when I pull it to clean up all the surfaces, especially the end caps that are curved, so when I do it, I'm going back to an OEM one and hopefully it'll last another 15 years. I wouldn't personally use the URO one again.
BobnOH
not-a-mechanic
The ALH has a permanent integral gasket. The cover can be used over and over until it can't. 2 drops of sealant at two 90 degree corners.
Genesis
Top Post Dawg
Its a cover wi
This is not a factor with the OE one since the OE gasket is glued in VERY securely which is why you can't just easily replace only the gasket.
I'm recommending you use a very small amount of RTV in a few places to secure the gasket up on the Uro cover before installing it (and let it set up) to make sure the gasket stays where it has to when you put the cover on. Not on the gasket (or head) surface, other than the tiny dollops in the corners of the cam bulge (which is official recommendation from VW even with the OE one.) If the gasket slips when you put the cover on and is not in the groove of the cover correctly it will leak like crazy for obvious reasons and because of the EGR valve and such you have to angle it in a bit and thus its pretty easy to dislodge the gasket if its not secured to the cover.
This is not a factor with the OE one since the OE gasket is glued in VERY securely which is why you can't just easily replace only the gasket.
thurgood
Well-known member
Please use thread locking compound on the plastic baffle screws. I've installed two of these Uro covers - neither of which came with the baffle like the factory VW cover that I installed on my car. I remember the screws going into the Uro covers tightly, but then I had one of the screws fall out and cause major damage that could have cost much more than the difference in the aftermarket cover vs OEM price. I too recommend a few dabs of sealant to help retain the gasket on these covers (gasket to the cover) as I've had the gasket dislodge on the Uro covers when installing.
See this for potential damage for not using Loctite:
forums.tdiclub.com
See this for potential damage for not using Loctite:
ALH dies, will run but won’t idle – FIXED
I’ll get this out first – if you ever replace a valve cover with an aftermarket one that doesn’t include the baffle, for goodness sake use Loctite on the screws. Bear with me and read on – check out the pictures at the end. I spent most of my free time for a month slowly chipping away at an...
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Ahh, yes I have since making the post and reading a bit about valve covers heard about using the RTV in certain locations. I will keep that in mind if I do decide to go with that cover . My current cover is just weeping atm so it's more of an annoyance with all the work I have done to the engine and car recently than a fire I need to put out at the moment.
I'm thinking it would just be best to go with the OEM unit and save myself from wishing I would have a year down the road .
It drives me nuts that the gasket itself can't just be replaced . I would much rather put $300 towards injectors or a vnt 17
Thanks for your input
Genesis
Top Post Dawg
$300 is extortionate which is why I bought the other one. I'm all for OE when it makes sense, but here it simply does not.
Judson
Veteran Member
Thanks for starting this thread. I have the uro one waiting to be installed. I will take a close look at the gasket and see if it has the tendency to fall out of its groove or move around. If so, I’ll use a little sealant to keep it in place during the install.
I will also consider a bit of loctite on the bolt threads.
I will also consider a bit of loctite on the bolt threads.
You can find a gasket (yeah, its from hans) but i decided to try it before dropping 300$. The gasket with shipping was like 11$.
So, i took my dremel with a cutting bit and cut/ground out the old rock hard rubber, when it was close to bare metal I switched over to the small wire brush on the dremel to clean it up completely. Stuck the gasket to the VC using contact cement rated for gas and oil, applied a thin layer of bearing grease to the head using my finger ( after tediously scraping off all the old RTV off the head from the PO being careful not to allow it to fall into the head) and bolt VC down. Its been on two of my cars now going on two years 30k + without issue.
anyone using RTV on the VC to the head should be castrated. Maybe the 4 corners if you really think you need it, after that put the crap away
So, i took my dremel with a cutting bit and cut/ground out the old rock hard rubber, when it was close to bare metal I switched over to the small wire brush on the dremel to clean it up completely. Stuck the gasket to the VC using contact cement rated for gas and oil, applied a thin layer of bearing grease to the head using my finger ( after tediously scraping off all the old RTV off the head from the PO being careful not to allow it to fall into the head) and bolt VC down. Its been on two of my cars now going on two years 30k + without issue.
anyone using RTV on the VC to the head should be castrated. Maybe the 4 corners if you really think you need it, after that put the crap away
KrashDH
Top Post Dawg
With the URO, just adding sealant between the gasket and the cover isn't going to solve the issue. The URO uses crappy tolerances. There isn't enough gasket squeeze when tightened to spec to keep the oil from seeping. If you were to do a layer all around in the groove first, then let it dry and install the gasket, you might get the right amount of squeeze. But you'd really have to control the height of the amount of RTV you put in the groove first. Not an easy thing to do. Those URO covers are just cheap and the tolerances are all over the places.
I picked up an OEM one through Cascade for $250. I'll probably wait to install it when I do my next TB job, but I'll have a bit of scraping to do like ^^^ so I may just take my time one day when I'm wrenching before I do my TB.
My days are busy lately working on the girl's new 4runner, gotta get that thing to an acceptable baseline before I get to work on my stuff
I picked up an OEM one through Cascade for $250. I'll probably wait to install it when I do my next TB job, but I'll have a bit of scraping to do like ^^^ so I may just take my time one day when I'm wrenching before I do my TB.
My days are busy lately working on the girl's new 4runner, gotta get that thing to an acceptable baseline before I get to work on my stuff
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oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
I've tried all the non-OEM brands, they're all junk. I think they all come from the same Chinese factory and people just put their different names on them. Uro, Dorman, and others. The oil pans are usually a little more tolerant, but I've had some duds on those, too.
Even the little Torx screws that hold various things on (like fender liners, lower shields, etc.) that I decided to try a cheaper version from Worldpac....were junk. How you screw up a screw? No idea, but the Chinese found a way.
Even the little Torx screws that hold various things on (like fender liners, lower shields, etc.) that I decided to try a cheaper version from Worldpac....were junk. How you screw up a screw? No idea, but the Chinese found a way.
benIV
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2009
- Location
- Southeast NC
- TDI
- 2003 PG 5m Jetta GL Sedan, 2003 RS 5m Jetta GLS Wagon (Golf Variant)
Enough experiences show the real cost is not just a bank ledger line at purchase...