Just when I thought it was roadworthy . . .

Franny called this afternoon.  The Passat is dead in the water.  The past few days it has sputtered and died several times at stop signs but always started back up.  I put some fuel system cleaner in it to see if that might help.  Today it died when she stopped at the end of her driveway and wouldn't re-start.  I could smell gas when I try to start it.  I couldn't find any disconnected wires or vaccum lines, so I pulled the coil wire and had her spin the engine over.  The ignition is not firing at all.

I was going to put a coil on it before I went any further . . . Until I went to AutoZone and found out they wanted $107 for one . . . I don't mind swapping parts to locate the problem if the parts are used or cheap, but I really hate to start throwing $100 bills around.  If anyone has a used coil they are willing to sell, or if you know how I need to go about troubleshooting this system, I would really appreciate the help!  It doesn't have breaker points, so I'm in over my head.   

I got a coil from Eike right before he left. He said it's for a Vanagon with electronic ignition. I don't know if it's for air-cooled or water-cooled, or if it would fit your Passat or not. The part number is 1 220 526 016 if you want to look it up. If it'll work, you can have it.

Now if I figure out why there is antifreeze on top of the transaxle . . .

My bet is that the coolant flange on the side of the cylinder head is leaking.

Is it the vr6?

The vr6 coolant flange are a pain and you need to change out some other stuff while your at it