First, for about two weeks, the TA has been hard to start, it cranks too long, and when it does start it struggles for a bit and then it runs like a champ. It's progressively getting worse (the cranking time).
Second, the water pump has "pee'd" on me twice, once on Monday after i got home and this morning when I pulled it out of the garage. It's "peeing" out of the small pin hole at the bottom of the water pump. What's weird (to me) is that it's not always leaking, just twice this week and the temp. gauge is unaffected and the water level is OK too.

I'm pretty sure it's time for a new waterpump, but what could be the starting issue?

 

I had a similar starting problem a few months ago,turned out to be a fractured coil wire,the short lead from the opti-spark to the coil.When I removed it to have a look it broke in two.It also turned out to be the reason why my car would not rev past 4500rpm.
This may help,it may not,but it's worth a try.All the best,Mark.

 

When water flows out of the "weep" hole this is to let you know the pump is going bad. The opticrap is prime target for leaking pumps and are often destroyed by bad pumps. So my guess is that your pump is shot and will soon destroy your distributor. If you are lucky you can get away with a new pumpl, but if it has already ruined your distributor, you are talking more money.

 

As mentioned, the opti can be sensitive to moisture. Your water pump is bad, so replace that for starters, let your opti dry out, and hope for the best.

 

Sounds like your water pump is going bad. When they start to go bad they pee out a weephole in the back. Unfortunately they pee all over your OPTI which is bad news. Change your water pump ASAP and hope that the coolant hasn't hurt your OPTI.

 

Your hard starting problem may also be caused by a faulty fuel check valve in your fuel pump. Hook a fuel pressure gauge up to your fuel rail's Schrader valve and see if the fuel pressure holds steady after you turn the key to On, not start. Your fuel pump should prime the system and the fuel pressure gauge should jump up into the 30's, then after the pump shuts off, your fuel pressure should hold steady. If it bleeds off rapidly, this is your hard starting issue.