Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: coolant, heater hoses, belt pulley

Question
I drove my 97 Buick Century into the drive way yesterday, shut off the ignition, unloaded a few items, then started it up again and drove into the garage.  When I shut it off in the garage, I thought it smelled hot, even thought I could smell antifreeze.  When I looked outside I noticed a spill of antifreeze on the driveway, probably a cup full. As we are getting ready to drive it about 600 hundred miles, I am concerned.  Any ideas?  Thanks, Ricky  

Answer
Hi Ricky,
Get under the car, and with a good light, see where the coolant is coming from.
There is a little weep hole in the water pump housing, behind the belt pulley. Be sure to locate that hole, and see if coolant is coming from it. If so, a new water pump is in order.
Also, check all the radiator and heater hoses, as well as the radiator itself.
Kook at the fittings where the heater hoses connect, and the intake manifold and thermostat area.
And don't forget to look at the area near the heater housing, in case the heater core is leaking.

Van