Volkswagen: VW GOLF GTI SMALL LEAK - CECK ENGINE LIGHT, engine vacuum, vacuum leak

Question
Is there a cheaper way to determine where a leak is coming from when the engine malfunctions light is on and they put it on a machine and it reads small leak.

Answer
Crystal,
 Sorry for the delay, I was out sick.  
If you mean a vacuum leak, then you can check it with a can of starter fluid.  While the engine is running at idle, spray around the engine vacuum and air intake seals.  If the engine noticably speeds up, you've found the leak.
 Of course there could be other "leaks", gas, exhaust, coolant.

Rick