Silcone valve cover gasket?

[Osher67]

I've always wondered why they don't make any silicone gaskets for 1.8t? Is there a reason. I see them available on many other applactions but not for our cars?

They seam to work good for others I'm just cerious, I mean usually you add silicone to our rubber gaskets. I don't see why it wouldn't work?

[diagnosticator]

Silicone gaskets would likely work fine but at a higher cost. The gasket material stiffness is a key factor of a gaskets installed sealing properties. The OE gaskets are reliable gaskets and are made from synthetic rubber gasket material that is suitable for the heat and other requirements of the application. However, the OE gasket material will squeeze down and get heat aged and hardened after several years in service, requiring replacement. Very often a leaking OE gasket has only become loose in the joint between the cover and the head, due to squeeze down. Simply retightening the cover nuts/bolts will restore the gasket seal most of the time. If retightening the cover fasteners does not stop the oil leak, then a new gasket is required.