A family member was not aware their 2003 3.8L water pump had been leaking for some time and set out on a vacation trip when the 3.8L started running rough and run fine for a while then acting up again. Turns out the water pump had been leaking for some time them on the trip the seal leak volume became larger and damaged the crank shaft sensor. It occurred to me that one of my three LeSabre'* has been loosing about 1/4" of coolant about every 300-400 miles (in the reservoir). I checked with a flashlight and saw where my WP seal was weeping a small amount (see the attached photo). It might be good for members with a 3.8L to occasionally look with a flashlight to prevent the same road trip break down.

Good advice!

I'd recommend this every time a member checks fluids, and that should probably be done every 1,000 miles or so unless it needs to be more often for some reason. There is no 3.8 on the road that is less than 17 years old (as of tomorrow).