I have a coolant leak in my 96, but it only leaks when the engine is cold (morning). Ill try to post a picture later. It drips off from the front chassis bar that goes accross in front of the engine. No other leaks have been spotted. I took it for a coolant flush and mechanic pressurized the system, but did not find a leak. He suspects its the water pump since it is original but is not sure. 600 dollars to replace the water pump. But considering its original, and needs to be done anyway, and its a PITA to change it I just might do it, but I want to hear from you guys if it is in fact the water pump or if it is something else.
Thanks for your help.

On the front part where the radiator is? That'* easy..the plastic end cap on the radiator cracked.

On the front part of the subframe? Probably etiher a loose lower rad hose, or the water pump. $600 is high for the job.

Click here for a picture of what im talking about:

Link.

I know its a PITA to change the pump so im gonna have a pro do it.

When I catch it leaking later tonight ill jack it up and try to take a pic then. So could it be the water pump then?

That area can be anything...first off with the splash shield in place...but then it'* simply an under car shot.

In that area..you have a coolant bottle that can leak, a coolant bottle hose, lower rad hose, waterpump and both heater hoses.

When you can..feel around the water pump for wetness...look from above for the source of the wetness...

Also, why do you think it is only leaking when cold? I ask for a reason, not to be argumentative, lol.

Your water pump will let you know when it is leaking. There are weep holes on the nose of the pump that can be seen from underneath the car or with a mirror on an extension if you have one. There will be evidence of leaking there if that'* the problem.

I also think that $600 is too much for that repair alone, even if it is being done for you. I recently paid a mechanic to replace my water pump in my Ranger, a job that entails taking the whole flipping front end apart and removing good portions of the accessories before you can even gain access to all the bolts. That PLUS a new timing chain, cover, and gaskets, out the door for $415. Just for a comparison.

Im gonna shop around, what would be ideal for water pump repair?

I dont think it leaks when its cold, I know so. RIght now its still dry. In the morning, I will see a green droplet hanging from where I circled in my picture, and if I wait 30 seconds I will see it fall. Doesnt leak a drop when its hot, and I watched it good. I will put her on the jack later on tonight with pics to follow. I hope its something stupid and easy. So far from looking at the engine from the top everything is dry.

I think I finally found out where the leak is coming from. Link to the gallery.

Note DSC00518 and 519. Its coming from under that elbow thing (hard to see because of the lighting) and seeping from the right. It was dry before. Now its slowly seeping out. How do I fix that?

my car leaks AT the coolant elbow, through the seal for it. And drips in the same spot as yours.

I dont understand why mine is leaking but I do know that when the engine is relatively cold and I rev it a bit, I can see coolant seeping out of the seal between the coolant elbow and the LIM.

It would only leak when cold because the LIM and elbox have not expanding due to heat, and sealed the area. When cold the plastic probably shrinks more than the LIM leaving a leak.

No, the pulley tensioner is new, and I think when they messed around with that they re-used the old one.

Gasket kinda looks like its popping out, can I stuff that in as a temp fix? Mayby surround it with vaseline?

Also how would I go about replacing this sucker?

I also find it funny that it happened so suddently, it started out of the blue last Friday. Saturday I took the car out and with the sight of coolant on the floor went damn, I just fixed these damn leaks...