Hello guys, the car is a 2001 V6 3.8 automatic... Recently, I just noticed that my wifes car had been leaking coolant, so I and others I have asked said it would be my water pump going bad. So I went out to Kragen ( I live in CA ) and buy a new not remanufactured water pump and gasket.

I go ahead and drain the car of coolant and then proceed to take remove the pump and replace it with the new one. I tighten all the bolts and pour in the coolant afterwards.... The car starts right up and everything seems perfect. I go ahead and clean the motor of dirt, coolant and build up with degreaser and water while it runs. Then the next day, I see coolant still leaking from under the car.

I go ahead and redo the pump thinking it must of been the gasket. So this time, I use liquid gasket on the pump because it has never failed me. I follow the same steps...

OMG! It still leaks the next day. This time it seems to leak faster then the last.

I touch and feel around the water pump and I do not feel any wet areas around it. I just get normal engine gunk but not wet areas...

What could be the problem and issue? The car does not over heat nor have issues while driving... I just notice loss of coolant every time I check the radiator.

The picture below is a borrowed picture of another motor but I just want you guys to understand where I can see it coming from and falling down onto the pavement.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d831b3127ccec700db470b9400000040O00AaM27Ji0ZOG IPbz4A/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

it is very possible there is an intake gasket seeping coolant at the front coolant port running down..
can you see a dampness from above the pump?

There is a little black plastic elbow behind the tensioner. They are notorious for leaking. Its about a $5-10 part.

http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread.php?t=85022&highlight=coolant+elbow

67conv.cam - I dont see anything above the water pump.... Majority of the wet/damp areas are on the left side in the dark area in the picture above...

DenRS - Thanks for the great link...I would never noticed that it was that... Because the coolant I see is in the dark area and space below that elbow....

Hopefully I can get this resolved.... Thanks guys!

There was a factory recall on that engine because of I think an intake leak issue. Kind of foggy after all the years but our bonneville with the same engine went in for the recall.

There are a few things that can leak in that area. The tensioner has two coolant passages that run through it and into the front of the engine. In your picture it is in the center and just above the upper line. You also have the intake gasket that is above that and the timing cover gasket could leak from that area. At this point a pressure tester would be a good idea. I don't know about your area, but here you can rent them from Auto Zone in there loan a tool program.

Now I have to go out to the dealer and get those elbows and O-rings... I will definitely do the pressure tester... It should tell me where it is coming from.

How hard is it to change the intake gasket? Elbows and O-rings? Does anyone have instructions on it on hand, would be great!

It looks daunting!

Thanks guys for the replies and help... Now I just got to get the wifes car! HA

one last suggestion...on your waterpump bolts..arre you using any type of pipe sealer?? if memory serves me right on the two long bolts each side they need to have sealer on the threads and be sure to use washers on the bolts ...let us know what you end up finding...
hope this helps you

I did not know that I needed sealer on those bolts... I noticed some type of gunk on the bolts but thought nothing of it... Could you name some brands or types for me to look into?

Thanks... Still trying to get to this issue... Hopefully this weekend I can figure this out.

Thanks for the help guys... I really appreciate it!

I did not know that I needed sealer on those bolts... I noticed some type of gunk on the bolts but thought nothing of it... Could you name some brands or types for me to look into?

Thanks... Still trying to get to this issue... Hopefully this weekend I can figure this out.

Thanks for the help guys... I really appreciate it!

just a note I will only use a real GM plastic elbow on these engines as the aftermarket ones I have used in the past do not handle the heat very well and distort. I've found that they leak after a year or so of use.Also the upper intake can leak coolant internally by the throttle body. There is an EGR passage and a coolant passage in this area that distort and allow coolant leakage. Be sure to check your belt tensioner for wear since you'll already be removing it to replace the elbow.I usually use a good teflon pipe sealant on the bolt threads. good luck!

Sorry for the wait guys... Well, finally bought the parts to get the camaro fixed... As I went in to check the elbows, the one located below the intake manifold had been deteriorating and as I pulled it out, the elbow broke off where the o-ring was located on each side... The same went for the elbow on the right of the water pump. I cleaned the area of grease and particles and replaced them with new GM parts...

From what I can notice, the leak has stopped and everything is back to normal again..

I would like to thank everyone that posted and help me figure this out. If you guys were around, I would buy you all a beer! hahah...

I hope everyone has a great summer and you will definately here from me again.

Thanks,
Dang

Update:
The newly installed visible elbow has started to leak on me. I installed it with some lubricant to fit it in the port so I would not damage the o-ring. Should I have also used liquid gasket for a better seal?

The elbow below the intake manifold seems to be sealed perfectly...

I usually use aviation sealer on the o-rings. I have pinched an o-ring before, it's easy to do.