Usually that pink coolant leak leaves a trail of residue somewhere if it
leaks out that much.
Does the coolant system ever pop when you remove the cap, warm (not hot)or
cold? I just like to squeeze those hoses as the engine warms up. 8^)
That tells me about the pressure inside.

Try letting the pressure out when the engine is cold, reinstall cap, start
the engine wait about 1-2 minutes and remove the cap again.
POP...then it might be the head gasket.
On my '83 Audi 4KS it leaked through the head gasket after it made a crack
through it. No leak through the combustion area just a leak out of the area
near the timing belt.

I have seen some problems like yours on the older VWs and it was the
radiator cap or the water pump. I think if it was the heater core you would
get that sweet smell of antifreeze when you used the heat. Everyone has
been telling you that though.

You can pressurize the system and watch for leaks and even check your
radiator cap. Takes a little ingenuity, a bike tire pump, tire valve, some
hose, clamps and a bolt. Make your own coolant pressure tester. ;-)

If it is the engine and you are the first owner of this Passat then you
should still have a warranty on the engine. <g>

BTW Come on over to the Passats group on Yahoo and bring your post.......the
water's fine! <g>
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/passats/join
Or, just send an email to " passats-subscribe (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com "
--
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)


"Steve" <guyonabike (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in message