I switched at about 60,000 miles (99 VR6), and it did start to leak from the oil pan.  No big
deal, swaped in a new oil pan gasket and everything was fine after that.  The weird thing is,
after a certain model year, VW stopped using oil pan gaskets, and instead used some sort of 'goo'.
The dealer said they don't sell oil pan gaskets for my year of vehicle and only the 'goo'.  I
decided to purchase an aftermarket gasket instead, I don't trust the goo.

Perry
99 GTI Vr6 - non goo edition

The "goo" isn't bad, you already have it in your car. It's used in places
where a gasket it too complicated to manufacture, as well as other places.

One place where it is used is the timing chain cover on the coil pack end of
the engine so it can't be bad for the oil pan. I probably wouldn't waste
money on the VW goo, but just pick up a regular brand from your local Pep
Boys etc.

Peter J.

Been OL for a while.

To add to this discussion of using other than tried and true(?) petroleum
oil in automobiles the way the petroleum oil Co's want us to, when I installed
my new OE oil pan instead of buying/using a new OE gasket I used Loctite RTV
Copper/Silicon gasket maker and I have no leaks.

It was suggested to use the RTV by my Amsoil dealer rep who works
for Ford in Michigan and he says that they use the RTV for one time
gaskets.

Although no doubt if the Ford in question ever needed
a gasket replacement I am sure the Ford stealership would
charge the full markup on the replacement gasket.

Sorry, I am breaking the traditions!
David

Rear intermediate brake line clips are a bitch ed.

I recently installed a new oil pan "OE" and
used loctite RTV Copper/Silicone gasket maker
and it hasn't leaked a drop.

My Amsoil dlr rep who works for Ford
recommended it as Ford uses it on all
one time engine gasket applications.

Of course getting it off in the event that you have
to reinstall the pan definitely brings goo to mind
as you have to scrape it off with soft wire brush
and gas/acetone/pointy Popsicle stick, etc.

But it works!

David