Look for the DIY on replacing the manifold gasket.

That said, it's a fairly easy process. Unbolt the fuel rail, pull it and the injectors off the manifold and set it to the side, then remove the throttle intake hose, then unbolt the manifold itself. There is an extra support for the manifold that attaches to the bottom of the throttle body that you need to take off as well. Then it's just a matter of pulling the manifold forcefully, yet carefully, off the engine and laying it to the side like a ribcage during heart surgery (which is really what it looks like).

 

I just found some good info posted here:

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222306

 

Man, it's just more work to remove the manifold............ unless you got the new south performance gasket to put on.

 

Yeah, only if you have four elbows. It's a HUGE pain in the ass to break those hoses free from each other after they've baked together for years. I literally had to cut a couple of hoses apart with tin snips to do my PCV rebuild.

 

Move the coolant tank out of the way without disconnecting the hoses. It's a bit awkward, but much faster and less risky than removing the manifold.

 

i just did mine took the manifold off to do it. not a major job with a haynes/bently, i dont think i could have done the pcv with it on.

 

I did my PCV with the manifold on and wasn't too bad. The rubber "T" was baked onto the metal hose, but a dremel and exacto solved that problem.

I put it all back together outside the car, then reattached all the rubber hoses and put the plastic breather hose back last. I needed to use a long screwdriver to push the breather back into the hole far enough for the green clip to reengage.

I didn't find it too bad, it took about 4 hrs in total, but I have an overly cautious nature when dealing with things I don't fully understand. This may have been different if I didnt' have wee girly arms and tiny hands, although longer arms would have helped (my 5'6" self is a bit short to even lean over to the back of the engine without being on tip toes.).

I'm not sure I'd rather take the intake manifold off, seeing all the hoses/pipes that go above and through it.