A couple of months ago, my water pump had a minor leak and it fried my opti. So I replaced both and had no more leaks and the car ran great. A month ago I noticed I was leaking oil around the timing cover. So I replaced that and the oil pan gasket. Then it wasn't leaking oil, but it was leaking radiator fluid. It would leak from the behind the water pump and run down both sides on the front of the timing cover. So I pulled the water pump of again and redid the gaskets, the two o-rings on that gear that goes to the cam, and did thread sealer on the bolts and it still leaks in the same place. I believe it is leaking from the sprocket and shaft, is there any trick to sealing that up. I am completely lost on this. Also, what exactly runs through that sprocket and shaft. I am guessing radiator fluid? Thanks for the help.

 

If there was a leak from the water pump side of the drive, it would be coolant. If from the timing cover side, it would be oil. I don't know what kind of pump you replaced it with, but if the pump is leaking there, it needs to be replaced.

 

I replaced it with a JEGS brand stock replacement pump. I hope that it isn't a piece of crap...because it is only about 4 months old.

 

If it is leaking out of the shaft area, it needs replacement. Hopefully, there is a warranty.

 

I bought a JEGS brand opti replacement and it failed after two weeks, rotor detached. Even before the rotor fell apart, my p0336 code was still present after the swap. Got a new AC Delco, code disappeared, problem solved.