Leaking water

[kappasm]

PLEASE HELP! I have a '95 Jetta GL that just hit 100,000 miles. Over the past 2 years I've had a slow water leak. I put some stop leak in it which seemed to help. I fill it with water now about every 2-3 months. Over thanksgiving I left it parked for 4 days. When I came back it would not hold water at all. I filled it then drove to work (about 5 miles) and the light came back on. Then I filled it with anti-freeze and came out 2 hours later to find my car sitting in a puddle of anti-freeze. The leak is coming from behind my front bumper on the passenger's side. I took it to the local dealership and was told it was the water pump and thermostat. I was then told it would cost $860!!! I have NEVER paid that much for a repair! It seems like way too much, but I am not car savvy. Please help, I do not want to get ripped off!

[1 PRODIGY]

ya thas way tooo much... a thermostat and switch is basic maintenance. bout 30 buks for both. and i could of done the work when i was in high school. and as for the pump. i would bring tha to vw dealer. ive never heard of a jetta needing a repair on a pump. but thas jus me. i would check the radiator hoses to see if they needed to be replace. theyre 2 right where your describing the leak from. theyre rite behind the radiator. but the price seems about rite if theyre going to buy a new vw pump and acc and the labor cost. and remember all shops overcharge. it be best to take it to vw to find out if the pump is really what needs replacing. remember vw doesnt have to Bullshit wit u. u already bought the vw.

[1 PRODIGY]

i have a jetta wit 120,000 miles and the only thing ive ever had a real problem wit was an ignition sensor. but im a maintenance freak..soooooo