leaking coolent

i pulled into a parking lot and all of a sudden my 96 jetta over heated when i looked under the car i saw anti-freeze all over the parking lot. if anyone knows what it could be if you could let me kno that would be great, thanks

-mike

yeah bro I had the same problem about a month ago.well it could be that your fans arent working or a whole somewhere in the pipes that the coolent flows threw..my problem was the flanch.it connects two different pipes and it is connects the the side of the engine... you might wanna check that.its basicaly a connection. my other problem was that some of my fuses were burnt out and they wouldnt start my fans...so check that two...well get back at me.

It is important to know where the water is coming out. Did you hear any squeeling noise prior to the overheat? That would indicate a bad water pump.
Check your hoses for leaks or splits.
Examine your engine carefully. Look for residue from dried up antifreeze to try to locate the source.

When facing the car if it is on the left hand side it probably is the water pump, if its more in the center it may be the radiator or hoses, right hand side could be the phlange, hoses, or resevoir. Mine was the phlange which I replaced myself and it only cost $20. I also had to do the waterpump when it started leaking too.

I had that issue as well......spent way to much money letting the 'pros' fix it. Check the Resivoir, if its that globe type deal it might be the seal between the two halves.....that's what my problem was anyway (that and the plce i had to take it too was in Atlantic Canada......they did more damage to the care then I did. Have a hole in my apolstry from the strut coming through.....they don't have my business needless to say)

yea i just replaced my water pump. but i can go a month without having to refill my anti-freeze. i have a feeling it is the head gasket and that the motor is burning the coolent. but i cant smell that sweet smell that would happen if the motor was burning the coolent