What's missing from my engine bay? Also possible oil leak?

[Big Dogg]

I've attached 3 photos. The first photo shows the right hand side of the engine bay and there seems to be something missing. I know there's usually a black cover over this side of the engine bay, but there's a metal cage that looks like it should have something in it, but there's nothing there. Can anyone tell me what's missing and if it's serious? If it's something major, I'll not drive the car until I can put it right. The car is driving 100% mind you.

The next 2 pics are of areas in the engine bay that look like there's oil on them. Would you say there is an oil leak, or is it likely to be from a recent service or something?

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/9360/img2392ob.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/37/img2410fx.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/467/img2396f.jpg

[arman123]

1st pic my cars the same dont really know what is that space for
2nd and 3rd pic is your egr valve i think leaking oil very common on these cars you can open it and clean it

have a loom at this link egr cleaning
DIY clogged intake manifold cleaning VW TDI of carbon build up, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 (http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a4/clean-intake-manifold-VW-TDI-carbon.htm)

[pippip]

If I remember right The gap in engine bay is for a vacuum pump if the car has a tiptronic system.

[Big Dogg]

Thank god for that lol. I was really panicking about that gap in the engine bay. I guessed that was the EGR valve at the top of the engine. I cleaned this out on my Freelander a few years back. I think I'll do that in the next dry day we have here.

[Chasdrury]

Thank god for that lol. I was really panicking about that gap in the engine bay. I guessed that was the EGR valve at the top of the engine. I cleaned this out on my Freelander a few years back. I think I'll do that in the next dry day we have here.

I wondered the same the other day in car! Glad it's nothing serious!
Chas

[nevo]

How many miles on her?there' a lot of oil carryover,I would remove the pipes down to the intercooler,and clean out the intercooler itself,get her breathing nicely again.

[Big Dogg]

139K miles. What pipes is it exactly that I'd need to remove and clean?

[nevo]

Down to the intercooler which is on the N/S wheel arch,just follow the pipe from the turbo,it'll be covered in crap at the lowest point,137k its probably never been done before,dont worry its normal.

[Big Dogg]

Ok. That'll be a project for a day - clean the EGR valve and pipes to the intercooler.

[Google44]

I've end up pushing two pipes in holes in EGR and pipe the oil somewhere. Not sure if it is a good idea. Blocking holes should be bad as oil will destroy membrane or get sucked in vacuum pipes.