I just replaced the valve cover gasket and put sealant on the joints and all that good stuff. I hope it is just residual oil on the exhaust manifold that is burning when I started the car after I put it on, but it seems to be smoking from the same place--driver side back corner.

Is it common for the head gasket to leak in that spot? This is on a 2001 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro (ATQ).

 

I just checked the crankcase breather hoses and they were not clogged. They were cracked, so I replaced them with heater hose, but I still get a lot of smoke burning from the driver side valve cover. Any ideas?

 

Cam seals

 

Oh man this sounds like what i have going on too, same year and engine, but A6. 96k miles on it. Oil is leaking pretty bad, replaced the driver side valve cover gasket (thats where the oil seems to be coming from) and checked the breathers. Still leaking.

From the video Ive seen the cam seals require removal of alot of stuff including the timing belt

 

It is more likely to be the cam tensioner seals.