Do good inspection of all hoses after hot and pressurized. Thermostat area (same side as oil filler and lower)? Also, check to make sure return line from rad to header tank is not clogged (blow through rad side). Could be overflow from bad header tank cap? Possibly related to head gasket also (although I hope not for your sake). You can have coolant checked for hydrocarbons (or some kind of gas that indicates contamination due to head gasket...can't remember exactly) and also check inside of oil filler cap for condensation...dip stick for "froth".

 

how are the water pump bearings??? wiggle the fan and check for bearing play, you will have to hold the tensioner with a 15mm socket to release the belt pressure of the water pump pulley to have a good look. if theres play change the water pump ASAP, i didnt and it caused the fan belt to come of and broke the fan in the process.

as you look at the front of the car on the left hand side of the water pump is the warning/weep hole. this is a channel between the 2 bearings/seals that support the shaft of the pump. when coolant starts to leak out here you know to change the pump. it will be difficult to see the hole, use a small inspection mirror and torch

good luck

 

Thanks for the tips and sorry for the delay in responding.. I ended up taking it in to my usual guy for him to figure out. As it turnd out, it was the gasket for the timing chain cover. I think the cover is jacketed so coolant flows through it to the pump??? My pump may be getting loose, but they wanted $400 for the part ($109 at AB) so I passed on the pump. I am running out of time and $$$ to keep working on this unit....

 

OK, I have read about RR coolant leaks until I can't see straight anymore but my leak seems different. I have the usual o-ring leak inside but the one that concerns me is the one that would leave the odd drop on the ground. Given that there are a few "wet" parts under the car before the liquid hits the ground it probably is a reasonable leak. I couldn't find the source so I keep an I on the level and top up when required. Once I came out to my RR (when it was cold) only to find a massive puddle underneath. I checked the level, topped it up. drove away, no leak... My mechanic couldn't find it, but we discussed the water pump. The leak is at the front of the motor and the control arms(? big rods extending from one side to the other) and front diff will end up wet. My wife now uses the RR and she had a BIG leak while driving, overheat etc. The resevoir is empty, top hose soft (empty) so I had it towed in. Would a water pump leak intermitently like this? I may have a leak at the back of the manifold and throttle body, but these are not the problem. My leak is much lower. My wife said steam was rising up from the vicinity of the oil filler cap but coming from lower down. Any ideas?????[/b]

I have the same symptoms.