Few years back i noticed below the valve cap (here in GR we call it ''pseudo-cap") some dirt, was after the valve adjustment.

The mechanic said that he used the same gasket with the add of some gasket glue, i went to his repair-shop, he tighten the screws, clean the area and for some years everything were OK.

The above photo is from internet, below is mine as is now.

Take a look from the left side as we look the engine bay.

Although the gasket show some signs of wear i don't think that oil or fumes dripping from it but take a look in the base, some gunk (dirt) is gathered.

Things are worst on the right side.

Also visible below the spark plug.

Do i have an oil leak and from where?

Is dripping from previous procedure which didn't cleaned properly?

A bolt tighten would fix this?

Do i need a new gasket? And which one?

I found another photo a bit more helpful:

I see no leak from the right side of the gasket (as we see the photo).

Downloading the first four photos, enlarging to 200% and brightening the images I saw nothing from the rocker (valve) cover area - but my eyes and brain aren't the best.

As I know you will worry about this I suggest you clean the areas, add dye to your oil and see where there might be a very small leak. You could check the torque on the spark plug(s) to easy your mind there.

Really not changing the rocker cover gasket and is a bit of a misstep but I assume there was a reason you didn't supply a new gasket. Sealant on a new gasket on an old car maybe but on an old gasket possibly not so much but it seems to have lasted.

ETA: it used to be said of old English engines that if oil wasn't leaking then it had run out of oil, a little bit unfair and certainly applied more to old American engines that held huge amounts of oil and drop it to the ground, more puddles than drops.

Edited 29 April29 Apr by nta16

Unfortunately olnly VIKA gaskets are available in a near by VW group parts store, i don't know if worth buy it.

I wonder from where that sludge fall upon the bolt ?

When i find time i will use a product ro remove that dirt and wipe it as much as i can,then in few weeks i will check to see if there is new.

Yes all that black does seem a bit out of place even for the discolouring in that area but I didn't know if it was some sort of anti-rust coating that had got mucky and furred up. Considering the car sits on the street it's pretty clean in the engine bay.

I can't remember what your gaskets might be but if something like paper or cork even cheap ones shouldn't go too far wrong but nowadays I suppose they can.