Leaking Coolant - but from where?

OK, day 3 of the mystery. i bottomed out on a speed bump goig very slowly but smelled antifreeze very soon after for the first time in any of my drives. I snooped around last night and all day today with no sign of a source so I thought it was just runoff now that the temps here in NC have gotten pretty warm. BUT, when I started her up the leaks showed up again very quickly and I am not talking about a drop or two, but a steady flow from right under the engine. The coolant pipe coming up the passenger side does not seem to be leaking. All I see is a lot of antifreeze dripping down from the area in the photo. What do you think?
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Does this mean that you've confirmed the alternator pulley hasn't cut thru the aluminum water tube?

 

The first photo shows the fins and bolts where the coolant drips from but I am pretty sure that it is not coming from this area. The second photo shows a spot down deep in the engine where there seems to be some fluid but I am not sure. It is a mystery to me. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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I didn't notice, but I will go check again. The tube seemed dry and the flex hose that it connects to seems dry also. Thanks.

 

Can't find a crack in the aluminum piping. Maybe the bang with the speed bump was a coincidence, but the leak seemed to become apparent almost immediately after.

 

Do you still have the inner wheel well off? If not I would take it back off and inspect the front of the engine where the majority of the water plumbing and the water pump reside.

 

Which side of the bottom of the engine is that coolant sitting on? Drivers or passengers side? Front or rear of engine?

 

Your second pic shows the snout of the water pump. Did you check the bottom side of it to see if there's coolant weeping? There are also several hoses in that area the could have been bumped loose. You said it's flowing out when you start it now, how much is that? If you run it for two minutes how much puddles under the car type of a thing. If it's really flowing out it's probably one of the pipes or hoses near the pump.

 

Have you checked under the water pump. Stick your hand down there and see if is wet. Also look at the crand dampener and see if it is wet.

 

I am still leaning towards the water pump. Aren't the lower hoses/pipes others are talking about full of coolant when the engine is off and if so wouldn't they leak whether the engine is on or off?

 

Passenger side

 

If I let it idle for 2 minutes I get a puddle of about 1/8 of a cup. It basiclly becomes a steady flow of drips about every second or two.

I checked around the water pump but couldn't find anything wet. I will check again this morning.

 

It's 15 miles to one of the shops I use. If I can't find the problem today do I drive it there or flatbed?

 

Don't drive it. I'm betting its leaking at the rubber junction hose at the bottom of the metal pipe coming off the water pump. I had a small leak there and it would move all the way under the engine when driving. I have a pit and was able to get under the car while it was running, and it became obvious. Just a loose clamp by the way. You have made sure there no oil coolant mixture, right?

 

If it leaks only when the car runs, I would assume it comes from high up in the system like the water pump. Anything lower would continue to leak after running.

 

Could it be coolant drain tap or one of block plugs? ...asuming you have cheked all coolant lines and sometimes it posible that aluminium tube has hole from grinding some engine parts?

 

I see no oil in the fluid - just coolant. Hopefully, it is in fact just a loose clamp that I can't find. If it is the water pump I gues I have to decide between rebuilding it to original specs, getting an upgraded rebuild, or going with the Nick Forza new design. I hope I don't have to make that expensive choice yet!

 

it could also be one of the many coolant hoses under the plenum that are prone to weeping.

 

I'm thinking of a nipple under the plenum that is known for slowly rotting away. A big enough whack could have done something to it. Coolant in the engine valley below the plenum will drain down toward the passenger side and work it's way underneath the water pump. On the waterpump on the lower side is a weep hole, if that is dry, not the pump most likely. There are a few hoses in there. Try using a flashlight and see if you can find any moisture at any of the points. The line that goes to the upper side (top) of the overflow container goes to the nipple I'm thinking of, you can try to follow it. I only pull my opinions from having been in there once so take that for what it's worth.

Pic 1. taken through where the throttle body is installed. I pulled it off to get to the nipple. Notice it's green where it attaches to the crossover, it had been leaking slightly.

Pic 2. makes the hose look much better than it did in person.

Pic 3. This picture is taken through where the oil filter is installed.

This nipple has been known to completely rot off. I've heard that some pull the crossover and thread in a stainless nipple, or was it brass? First things first, good luck finding the leak, it's in there, will be hard to see. You might be able to pressure test the system and listen for a leak?
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Great advice, I will take a look. Thanks for that insight (it's always an adventure!)

 

Well, the horse left the house on a flat today. I ultimately couldn't find the source of the leak. I have my fingers crossed that it is a little break in a hose somewhere but my bet is that it is the water pump. The guys at Apex Vintage (Terry) will check it out for me.

 

Well the answer is a faulty water pump as many of you suggested. I feel better that it was not something obvious that I could have fixed easily. New pump is on the way and hopefully we can be driving this weekend. Thanks for all of the help.

 

I don't think I helped, but I'm glad you found the problem and can get 'er fixed and get back on the road. Two great F events the next two weekends in WNC.