1993 gp 3.4 sudden coolant leak/smoking

[94GPSHAKER]

well this just happens to be my luck but a guy at work sold me his grand prix 2 days ago so i didnt have to drive my z28 in the winter. i saw that the coolant was low yesterday so i topped it off with the 50/50 prestone coolant mix. today it drove good to work. on the way home i noticed it smoking. the temp stayed at only the first notch, i drove it about 5 miles and then i heard what appeared to be the belt sqeeking. then i noticed the amps dropping to half way or lower. i got home and there was a small stream of coolant leaking from under the motor, the car runs good, stays cool but it smokes and leaks like crazy, the smoke smells more like coolant than something burning. please can anyone help, i just spent all my money on this car, and allready transferred the plates and insured it.

[richtazz]

If the leak is on the passenger side, it's probably a water pump. They are pretty cheap and fairly easy to do.

[MoDoggie]

Where is the leak coming from?

[StevePT]

Sure sounds to me like your water pump locked up. Belt squeaking and low alternator output sounds like the water pump locked up and slowed down the whole accessory drive train.

It's very easy to replace. The large pulley with four bolts holding it on towards the front of the engine and without grooves in it is the water pump pulley. Once you take the pulley off you'll see the bolts holding the water pump onto the housing.

[richtazz]

Even if it's not locked up, the coolant coming from the waterpump weep holes could be getting on the belt and making it slip also.

[94GPSHAKER]

you are all the best, it was the water pump, i was trippin out, thought it was a head gasket seal or something, although i would have lost compression if that happend i guess.