Fast Coolant Leak

Probably the water pump here is a guide to help confirm the pump and a step by step guide with diagrams below to show you on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/water-pump-replacement

Image Reference:

1. To upper radiator
2. 0-ring (Always replace)
3. Coolant pump
4. Clip
5. Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor (G62), with ECT Sensor (G2)
6. From expansion tank
7. Connector flange
8. To heater core
9. From expansion tank (vehicles with automatic transmission)
10. 10 Nm (7 ft lb)
11. Bracket
12. From heater core
13. From expansion tank (manual trans.) or ATF cooler (automatic trans.)
14. Coolant pipe
15. Oil cooler
16. To lower radiator
17. 20 Nm (15 ft lb) plus /14 turn (90°) Always replace
18. Generator (GEN) bracket
19. 30 Nm (22 ft lb)
20. Poly-ribbed belt

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.

Water pump... don't worry, coolant can't leak into the oil pan
through the oil pan gasket.

To replace the water pump, you need to remove the timing belt. So
be sure to install a new T-belt & tensioner as well.

I dont have the know-how to do this myself. Is it even cost effective to have the water pump and timing belt changed on a 99 Jetta with 180k miles in fair condition?

Just to make sure, we are talking about the A4 model VW Jetta, right?
Should look like this:

If the car has been maintained/serviced regularly, it will still
have quite a bit of life/years left! Many variables obviously,
but it would sell for more money (should you decide to sell it)
if the leak were repaired! :-)

Take it to a VW Specialty shop for an estimate... prices can
vary, so you might want to see two shops. Don't just take my word
for it and phone for an estimate. Since I can't see the leak, my
best guess at this time is water pump.

The 1.8T, 1.9TDi, 2.0 & VR6 engines will all have water dripping
from behind the big crankshaft pulley when the water pump leaks.

Good luck!

Before i go and buy these parts and pay someone to do it... Could it be the crank shaft pulley seal? Or would that be oil leaking out?

And yes thats what the car looks like.

Sorry about the late reply... had a phone call.

Crank shaft pulley will leak oil, not coolant. What engine is in
your car?

Don't buy any parts until you have someone verify where the leak
is coming from!

The engine is a 2.0. Ok, il have it verfied first. But i took the undercariage covers off, the oil pan cover, and the engine covers and could not find any wet spots at all. I couldnt even find any moisture on the top side of pulley.

The water pump has a small "weep" hole... coolant can leak from it
depending on engine temperatures & pressure.

It might not leak until the car has been run to fully warm state and
then as the engine cools, coolant will start to run out.

Attached is a picture that shows a trail of coolant from the pump
town to the crankshaft sprocket.

Diesel engine picture... but your w/p is in the same place.

One more...

Thanks. This leak though leaks weather the car is running or not. Its a slow drip with the car off, and a very fast drip with it running. So fast that the coolant resevior will empty out in ten minutes.
Regardless, im going to have it diagnosed to know for sure.

Yes, have it looked at and post back your finding!

It was the water pump leaking. If I could do it myself it woulda cost $170 for water pump, thermostat, and timing stuff. Since I couldn't, $700. Thanks for the help guys. Ima get to posting my next problem with this car.

Glad we were able to be of help. Glad it's fixed now.