How difficult should removing the top/cam/valve/rocker cover on the VW
1272cc engine (code=2G)? My mum's 1991 Golf went near the main dealer
this week (yeah, I know!) That unrelated job was done OK (should be
for the money!) but the "free visual inspection" flagged up an oil
leak around the top cover that they want £157 for top cover, gasket
and labour. They ignored the fact that the oil filler cap's seal was
shot (GSF got our £2.50+VAT for a new one) The top cover has some
surface rust (but hasn't got worse in years really). Consulted Haynes
and the gasket is specific to the later revisions with 3 bolts down
the middle of the cover (unlike earlier ones with more bolts around
the edge), plastic oil shield under the filler cap hole, etc.
Obtained GSF (code 11028) gasket and removed the 3 bolts today. The
top cover wouldn't budge. Tried fingers ander the front edge and in
the edge of the oil filler hole but the engine just rocks around on
its mounts slightly (like they do when you start them with the bonnet
open). Haynes shows dowels positioning the gasket to the head - do
these protrude into the edges of the cover? Any ideas?
(I thought it would be simple as Haynes don't list it as a job in
itself, just a preliminary stage for other tasks. Add to that it's
only a SOHC arrangement with no plugs in the middle, no plastic
covers, an uncluttered engine bay...)

James