BAD water leak

About a month ago, we developed a water leak which didn't seem too bad at the time. Jan 1, I go to take car to work and before leaving home, I top off antifreeze rez. Come home several hours later and it's down approx 1/2". Decide to leave car in garage and use truck for awhile. Kinda forgot about the car/leak,but last Fri I check it and the rez is EMPTY! Top off again and checked it again yesterday and rez is EMPTY again and motor hasn't been ran since Jan1. It is wet underneath the motor. Spoke w/ a independent shop and he said don't bother to get it fixed cuz you won't get your $$ back. VW won't pay to have fixed and neither will dealer. Dealer has provided us a loaner car until VW gets their act together. Have NO clue where the leak is. Don't know rate of loss. 88k miles. '13 Passat TDI

So my questions: What do you all suggest? Park car outside? Keep topping off/put pan under engine? Engine runs--at least it did when I parked it on the 2nd. Too cold to just add water even tho it's in garage.

CNYTDi said:

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So my questions: What do you all suggest? Park car outside? Keep topping off/put pan under engine? Engine runs--at least it did when I parked it on the 2nd. Too cold to just add water even tho it's in garage.

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You have apparently made up your mind not to find the cause of this leak. With that as the assumption, definitely do not keep on adding plain water. If the car isn't being driven, there is no reason to do so.
If this were me, and given the no-fix assumption. I'd leave it right where it sits until buyback (making sure it will start & run), then have it towed to the buyback location, start it and drive it / park it / turn it over*, and it then becomes somebody else's problem.

*Engine can't heat up enough from doing that to cause any damage.

Ricco,

You are correct in not getting it checked out to find source of leak as I will not re-coupe money spent to do so. Not adding water due to temps outside now, just anti-freeze. That being said, should I continue to add anti-freeze even tho it's just going to leak out from "X" location or no? I can get a car dolly to tow car into lot on day of buyback as you made a good point on heating engine up.--Thanks.

I wouldn't continue adding fluid. At this point, it's mostly antifreeze in the system, so you aren't at risk of any water freezing even if it leaks out.

It is prolly the water pump. If one were to keep the car, I'do the TB at the same time, even though it is well short of recommended 130K.

Just my two cents, but...

How expensive is it for you to look where the fluid might be leaking from?

Just a PSA: Amazon/Ebay has these inspection waterproof USB cameras that can go practically anywhere (but dont get carried away), have built-in lights and cost may be $20

Stop leak from Wally world, $2.59

Drive more, worry less!

No point in essentially pouring antifreeze on the ground. Especially if there are pets around.

psd1 said:

Stop leak from Wally world, $2.59

Drive more, worry less!

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Worst idea possible. Congrats.