Where is the water pump located on a 1998 bettle

You have coolant getting into one or more of the engine cylinders.

water pump is where serpentine belt is at front of engine, coolant leak could be your intake manifold gaskets, engine is prone for intake gaskets to leak.

first thing is the timing belt and water pump and thermostat. This job can be expensive but if not done will be catastrophic if belt breaks the next things will be : accessory belt , fuel filter, cabin filter, tentioners , battery ,cables , axles , sway bar bushings , control arm bushings , air conditioning system

your water pump is driven off of timing chain,it will be on back side of timing cover toward firewall down toward bottom. you have to remove timing cover and chain to replace pump

The water pump is on the front driver's side of the engine. It is spun by a small belt driven from the end of the cam shaft. You will see a cover up and to the right of the oil dipstick. That covers the pulley. Follow the belt and you will find the water pump. It requires a special tool to replace.

IF THE BATTERY HAS A FULL CHARGE ,THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A BAD STARTER,BUT I WOULD CHECK ALL OF THE FUSES, & RELAYS, BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE A BLOWN IGN,OR START FUSE, OR A BAD STARTER RELAY.

never heard of theis but yes it sounds right ,i would look in the door or the door pillar

In the tank,remove the rear seat

Unfortunately the water pump is located under the timing belt requiring the belt to be remove to do the water pump.

Replacing the serpentine belt on a New beetle is not easy as it was on the old one.

First you need to remove the Water tank, and undo the hoses near to the water tank.
Then you remove the three bolts securing the tensioner with a 13mm socket wrench, and release the tensioner.
Then you replace the belt.

The procedure is explained here on pages 2 to 5, do not go over page 5, the rest of the procedure is on replacing the timing belt, and you risk to damage your car by touching the timing belt.

Once you replace serpentine belt, ensure that the pumps is running, that the belt is well in tension, and that is solidly there, not slipping out.

All the repairs must be done or supervised personally by a qulified mechanic.

Regards.