Volkswagen: Slow leak...(?), loading oil, slow leak

Question
I am hoping you can help me out, although my vehicle is not necessarily in your year range of expertise!

I have a 2001 Jetta that we just purchased back in August...so had it a few months. I checked the oil a few weeks back & it was pretty much bone dry.  I took it to get an oil change a few days after the discovery (& after loading oil up in it)...it was noted on our receipt that there was a small oil leak of some sort (not specified where).

I had to take my Jetta in for a recall and had the dealership try to find the leak...after a few long hours, they said it was the front crank seal that was bad on it...is this common in the newer Jetta's?  

I am not finding ANY oil leaking on my driveway or in my garage...nor in the parking lot at work. I don't know where this leak is going?

Should I try an 'additive' to see if that will stop the leak, & if so, what kind is suggested I try? I went to OReilly's auto parts & they suggested this Lucas oil stabilizer - telling me if that doesn't do the job, nothin' will other than getting it repaired (& spending over $500 to have the dealership do it).

Thanks for any assistance! I appreciate it!


Answer
Hi G,

The front crank seal is located behind the bottom-most wheel/pulley located in the center-front of the motor.

If it's the front crank seal, it's easy to figure out.

Put a piece of newspaper or the like under that area (you may need to hold it down with some bricks or something)

Turn on the engine.  Run it at 2,000 RPMS for about 5 minutes, than let it idle for 10 more minutes.  

The first key is to definately identify the leak for yourself.  Additives aren't really a fix, but more of a band-aid.   

Let me know what happens, and we can take it from there.

Ron

P.S.  No, front crank seals are typically not a big complaint for '01 Jetta's, to my knowledge.