Coolant Leak

I need help. i have a 2000 jetta vr6 and i have a mojor coolant leak. from what i can tell the coolant is coming from the overflow tank. I have went through a large container of collant within the last 4-5 days, i will fill it up then when i drive the light will com on and the coolant will be gone. I need to get this fixed asap. any help would be great. i just dont know where to start.

Im not to familiar with that year, but if the coolant system is anything like my 94.....check that the connecter to the water pump is on all the way (mine wasn't on all the way). That was one of my problems. The other was that the round ball like expansion tank seal (around the edge where the two halves met) was busted. The plastic had just detereorated. Those are just a couple of ideas. Like I said, I'm not to familiar with the year. I even had that odd shaped valve that connects the block replaced, as well as the belt for the water pump that they said was busted, (those mechanics were morons) But those actions didn't help.

If its coming out of the coolant resivour it means your car is overheating.... aka either your thermostat is stuck ( very common) or your coolant pump is shot ( common also).

so i my best bet would be to replace thermostat, or pump first? Does anybody know how much i would spend doing that?

WEll the thermostat, and all the o-rings, and coolant, and the flange should be replaced. You can replace all the parts w.o the car being in the air. Parts about $100 or so I believe with a new thermostat housing.


Water pump is about $120 but you have to remove the engine mount and jack up the engine to get to the pump.

my first thought was a broken gasket, then you said you were pretty sure it came from the reservoir, so maybe im wrong. have you tried tried a sealer? or chek this out on your next oil change go to midas, they usually give you a complimentary check on your vehicle.i have the same problem on my jetta, im sure its from a broken gasket