Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Coolant leak - 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora, 1995 oldsmobile aurora, path of least resistance

Question
The 95 Aurora has the 4.0 liter V-8, front wheel drive. I have a major coolant leak. I cannot see where it is coming from. It appears to be leaking somewhere between the back of the V-8 and the transaxle (transmission). The exhaust pipe from the front exhaust manifold goes down, then horizontally through a space in the oil pan and then up and over the transmission. There is a bracet right below the exhaust pipe that fastens the oil pan to the transmission. The coolant actually runs down the rear side of the exhaust pipe where it is goes up over the transmission and then leaks off the bracket. I cannot see above or around the exhaust pipe because of the oil pan and the transmission. Are there any hoses in that area that may have ruptured or could it be a frost plug that has deteriorated? Have you ever known of a situation where either the engine or transaxle had to be removed to fix a coolant leak? Thanks for yor help. Dan

Answer
hi dan the 4.0 is a rough one i feel for ya lol..well my first suspect dan would be the intake gasket this is a fairly common prob with the arora.there is no hoses in the paticular you are referring to.however antifreeze will take as electricity the path of least resistance.so it could be either intake gasket or head gasket and yes some repairs on that vehicle involveing cooling system probs will equire the removal of the engmn or trans but i would not suspect that.from the description you gave.hope this helps if not let me know i know some experts on aroura,s  see ya bill