going back to my vw roots...

[Sijray21]

so i think i have a VERY small valve cover oil leak above the exhaust manifold (would explain the slight oil burning smell after parking post-longer drive). The PCV change has definitely reduced that smell, so i'm wondering if it was actually a PCV leak. Looks like i'll be monitoring this actively, but if i were to replace the gasket to the valve cover (since it's also the cam bridge) i would need to take off the upper and lower timing chain covers. At that point i may as well replace the timing chain guides, problematic tensioner, and chain...

I can firmly say that i'm hoping this car rides out the year so i can replace it in the fall without this issue getting worse, but i'll likely trade it in, sell it to carmax, or sell it while also disclosing this issue before the year ends.