Need4Camaro

2002 Pontiac Firebird 3.8L V6... (Reason I'm posting here is because the coolant system on 4th gens are all pretty similar)

I replaced my water pump twice - the stock and 2nd replacement were dripping... The third is not leaking... The radiator hoses are fine, nothing seeping from the thermostat... Whenever I pop open the hood, the passenger side of the cowl REEKS of coolant while the driver side doesn't have any odor period.

I can smell it whenever Im sitting at a light but not while the car is in motion. I dont smell it through the vents or heat...But I am definately leaking as I'm having to always top off my coolant every drive...antifreeze isn't cheap! Whats going on here??? Even when I look under the car while it's running, there are no drips or drops... no steam, the passenger side floor board is dry...

Injuneer

Don't the 3.8's have a problem with the wet intake manifold, and the gasket between the upper and lower plenum?

Need4Camaro

I'm not sure, is this the intake manifold gasket? Not replacing it if it is, I'm swapping the motor out of that dog soon.

Injuneer

The manifold is made in two pieces - upper and lower. The problem are (I thought - I don't know the V6's that well) was the gasket between the upper and lower parts of the intake manifold.

If you have a strong smell back by the passenger side cowl, and not by the front of the engine, might be the short pieces of rubber hose that connect the metal hard lines to the heater core, at the firewall.