Anti Freeze Leak 2.5 V6 1997 Sebring

[LeslieSebring]

I am workin on my daughter in law's 97 Sebring that leaks antifreeze. (110K miles.) It's been leaking for less than 6 months before parking it. A shop told them as far as he could tell it was the water pump or crossover tube, at least that is what he suspected.
Looking at it, I could see antfreeze standin in the valley on top of the engine under everything. So the cross over tube was highly suspect to me. So handy as I am, I tore it down with my son helpin. I figured once I got it tore down it would be apparent where this leak(s) are comming from. Well I have it tore down now and cannot find any traces of where a leak might be originating from.
If it was a bad O ring on one end or the other on the crossover tube, wouldn't I see residule traces of antifreeze in or arond the O ring? The tube has 2 spots in the middle that I can't say what caused them. I thought it might be caused from the front head gasket spitting antifreez on it so off came the front head. (a little build up of white crusty stuff at the gasket edge ultimatly made me pull the head.) The head gasket showed no problem at all when removed and inspected.
Will a water pump leak out the back side? If so, again, wouldn't I see residule traces of antifreeze?
I read on a forum about a cracked cross over tube, wouldn't I see a crack with residule traces of antifreeze? I am really puzzled over this. All the work and $$ we put into it I would hate not to fix it. Could the reason I can't see traces of the leak be because it hasen't been leaking long enough to build up any traces? Should I just replace everything? Are there any chronic problems these engines have with leaks on top like this that may leed me to the root of this? Thanks for listning and for any help you may give. Gary for Leslie

[theFREAKnasty82]

usually on these motors, there is a weep hole on the side of the block where if the seals of the water pump fail, it'll spit it out from there. Although, the O-ring that goes from the water pump to the inlet/crossover pipe might be the culprit as well. Since you have the cylinder head off and the timimg belt off as well, wouldn't hurt to go on and replace the water pump and O-ring. Just FYI, that O-ring is very sensitive so when installing put some water on it and the pipe and go from there. Hope this helps somewhat.

[LeslieSebring]

05-22-05. Thanks for the reply. I am still in need of assistence. I don't know where this "weep hole on the side of the block" is located. I am trying to understand what is referred to, "the side of the block" with relation to where my problem is located, (top in the valley). That is to say, that is where the antifeeze builds up then runs down from. Thanks for any help.
Gary

[bearcatdon]

Did you put the engine back together and discovered the leak was still there? I’m not familiar with the 2.5 but if antifreeze is accumulating on top of the engine, I would lean towards a lower intake gasket leak. If this is the case, you may fix your problem strictly by putting the engine back together.