Got a question on maintenance based on two problems I have

[Bman02ZX2]

Hey guys,

I got a few questions on maintenance/replacing some parts for the do it yourself newb who is trying to learn some things. To throw it out there, I'm driving a 2002 ZX2, ATX, 55,500 miles on the odometer and everything stock. I've had her almost 2 years and just starts up no matter what. Keep in mind that I'm in college, and money is somewhat of an issue, so I've been putting it off for school and thinking maybe I can do this on my own to save some money.

First situation involves the coolant system:

Ever since January of '07 I noticed that I slowly loose coolant with it burning off giving that nice maple syrup smell and it was dripping from the passenger side toward the front of the engine where the time belt is located. To help compensate, I kept a tub of coolant in the trunk if I needed to refill the reservoir During the summer of the same year, it barely lost a drop, so I figured that I would be alright until next winter. Winter of '08 came around, did the same thing as stated before and with it now spring its still doing it, so I figured I need to fix it soon. My dad took a look and he says its possibly the water pump that is to blame and it makes sense. It could possibly be a hose, I really don't know. If anyone has some light on this, I would appreciate it.

Second Situation involves the Timing and Serpentine belts

Another thing my dad pointed out is that my belts looked in worn out shape and I should change them sometime soon. I looked at the diagram in the knowledge base, its looks fairly straightforward, just got to be sure that everything is where its supposed to be and that the belts don't slide off the pulleys.

With those situations, do you think its possible for someone like me to change possibly the water pump (or what other component might be causing the leak) and the belts on an engine with possibly a Clifton manual of sorts?

I figure this would be a good way to get to know my car and help save some money. Thanks for the time guys.

-Bman

[mechtech]

If you look, you'll see where the coolant leak is coming from.
We can not do that.
It is probably the water pump. CHILTON manuals are probably what you mean.
It is a pretty easy job, but you need tools and time in addition to the manual[s].
We don't know you so we can't say if you are capable of this.

We only have one drive belt. What belts are you talking about?

To change our serpentine belt, take the cover off from the wheel well, and use a 13mm short socket on a breaker bar of flex head ratchet on the tensioner. Take off and replace the belt on the crank pulley last - it's easiest that way.

[Bman02ZX2]

If you look, you'll see where the coolant leak is coming from.
We can not do that.
It is probably the water pump. CHILTON manuals are probably what you mean.
It is a pretty easy job, but you need tools and time in addition to the manual[s].
We don't know you so we can't say if you are capable of this.

We only have one drive belt. What belts are you talking about?

To change our serpentine belt, take the cover off from the wheel well, and use a 13mm short socket on a breaker bar of flex head ratchet on the tensioner. Take off and replace the belt on the crank pulley last - it's easiest that way.

I knew I butchered the name with the Chilton manual and I believe there is another called Hayne's.

I am aware that you guys can't see what I see (pics would help) but from I can see, its not coming from the radiator like its cracked, its leaking and burning off from the front of the engine (on the passenger side). That is the best of my knowledge so far about this problem. I have seen pics before of where the water pump is located and again it does make sense and as far as I know, its the original one from the factory. The only way to find out is that I check out.

The belt thing shows that I am newb and I kept thinking we had two belts of some sort.

Thank you mechtech for clearing up things for me. With another set of hands and knowledge of cars in the household, I want to try and give this a shot, so I can possibly a little bit.

-Bman

[mechtech]

Let's put it this way:
These are very common problems/jobs on ours and any other cars.
Almost all of us can do these jobs right, and save big $.
When our site crashed again, we lost many good walkthroughs and pictures. But they are returning.