Coolant leak?

Well I seem to have to top it off every 10 days or so (worse when it is colder).
When I first bought the coolant the guy just put it right in, with no water dilution.
aren't you suppose to make it part water?
2000 Jetta VR6.

Yes, half water. he may have put in 100% because of cold weather.

Just a rookie but you may have a leak.

Look at the jug, does it say to mix?  Usually you can buy them already mixed, did you use the red or green?  The dealership had the right anti-freeze to use, not too pricey.  In the morning do you notice a puddle, or any anti-freeze anywhere?  Could be a headgasket...never know till you poke round?

It's red (or actually pink).  I can't tell if there is a puddle as the road is filthy with old leaves.
Is this an expensive problem?  And should I just add water next time (since I've used half the jug since topping it up 1.5 years ago.

yeah, I was thinking head gasket too since you said it happens when it's cold.

Pink is the kind that lasts long. Don't put in the green kind.

is that expensive?  or am I better off just opping it off periodically (and should I use water next time?)?

Just use the anti-freeze, and run it with te top off, until coolant comes out.  Shut off the car and put the top on, doing that ensures the system is bled and purged.  Could just have air in the system...good starting point.

quote:

ORIGINAL: bagel

Just use the anti-freeze, and run it with te top off, until coolant comes out.  Shut off the car and put the top on, doing that ensures the system is bled and purged.  Could just have air in the system...good starting point.

Really?  Man I got a lot to learn.  I barely know what pressure to keep my tires at (38psi, right?).

So open the lid, run the car until coolant oozes out, then turn off the car and put the lid back on?  Will do.
thanks so much.

I have a 99 jetta with the same issue, and it turned out that the auxillary water pump was leaking, I changed out the pump and I have not had another issue with the coolant level since.  Good luck.

quote:

ORIGINAL: bagel

Just use the anti-freeze, and run it with te top off, until coolant comes out.  Shut off the car and put the top on, doing that ensures the system is bled and purged.  Could just have air in the system...good starting point.

 
How long should I run the car with the cap off?  I ran it for about 5 minutes (and the engine was already warm) and the coolant wouldn't reach the top.  In fact I don't think it budged).

try topping it first(radiator).

Coolant level should be in the in middle of the bottle thats full.. and if your water pump was broken your car would be over heating... You have a coolant leak if you have to keep adding coolant i would take it to ur local vw dealership... On alot of these VR6's the coolant outlet housing leaks... and if ur head gasket was busted you would have coolant in your oil so pull your dip stick check that if you see coolant in your oil that would be a very pricy job....

Hi all,
IT was getting worse (topping it off every three days or so) so I took it to a mechanic (VW specialist).  He says both the primary and secondary pumps (if I got that right) need replacing.  How likely is that?  He is saying it will set me back probably under $500 (parts and labour)(Cdn).  Is that a reasonable guess and estimate?

Try checking your VW water pump it might be broken, as you have said that the problem part is getting pink... Because broken pump causes your car to over heat... I think $500 is a reasonable price for the parts including the labor if your mechanic is assuring you that it would really fix your problem... Goodluck...

i would just be careful with that.  i had the same problem in my old 95 jetta...i had to refill the ball every so often and the next thing i knew...i blew out my heater core.  ouch!  get it checked out.