i think my pump was leaking for a bit and stopped. then started again and stopped. is this possible, what else could it be

 

It's probably the weep hole on the bottom of the water pump. It starts out as a pretty slow leak and gradually gets worse, I only noticed it leak several times over a month or so. I'd go ahead and get it fixed before it kills the optispark.

 

Get it replaced as soon as possible... Im assuming that you all ready check all the hoses for leaks?? Look under the car up at the water pump and see if the weep hole has any discoloring arround it....if it does than your water pump is going to give your opti a nice BIG shower soon.

 

Very possible for it to leak out of the weep hole like that.

 

You look right after you turn the engine off. That is when you will be able to see it weep out. You are correct, that if little comes out, it will drip on the pulley and evaporate before it can get to the ground. In the beginning, it may weep on an intermittent basis.

 

Thermostat replacement

As far as the opti location goes, some people pressure wash their engine bays and never have a problem with the opti. Contrary to what some people may say, it is not a foregone conclusion that if you get any moisture near your opti, it is going to die.

 

I dont know if you like to do things yourself, but I took my water pump apart and sealed the O-ring around the shaft with some gasket sealer, its been working fine with no leaks for 2 months now, not a perminant fix, but better than dripping water on the opti untill I can pay for a new pump