Buick 225 V-6 Coolant Leak

My dauntless has a coolant leak near the timing chain cover.
Has anyone else experienced this sort of leak? if so, what was the cause?

 

I get coolant pooling there also. Mine pools towards the block and not the water pump.

 

I cant tell precisely where its coming from, but that's bad.

The aluminum thermostat cover/filler neck gets pitted from the inside and cam have pinholes. I would start there. If its a gasket, you're going to replace it anyway when you inspect it. Pull it apart and find where the leak is coming from.

 

It could be a bad timing cover gasket and/or timing cover that has corroded in that water jacket area.
I've seen that before. Maybe put a pressure test on the system and GENTLY try snugging up the cover bolts.

 

Pitting from corrosion on the thermostat housing and heater hose bibs will sometimes allow leaks. Thermostat housings will leak at the gasket surface from pitting, incorrect thermostat installation or warping. Screw type hose clamps are known failure points also, when hoses get older and less flexible. A screw type hose clamp will lose it's sealing pressure, the spring type (flat metal or wire type) that are installed with pliers maintain sealing pressure when hoses lose their elasticity. Good luck!

 

The coolant leak was caused by failure of the timing chain cover gasket. I’m glad it wasn’t worse

 

The timing chain and gear look okay from here but check them thoroughly for excessive wear, you won't be any closer to them then you are now.

 

you should feel lucky . you got the long bolts out