I am losing antifreeze and I believe it is comming out at the front of the block somewhere underneath the water pump or under the thermostat. I can see the leak but not exactly where it is comming out. My mechanic says due to bad design that the seal that is made with the gasket is bad and they leak often. Anyone know anyway of stopping it? I just had a new radiator put in about 4 months ago and I cannot keep dumping antifreeze in it. Can I do the fix myself and how much time is involved. Thanks. ep.

check the black, round donut rubber gasket at the top of the water pump where it meets the block.
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1990 740GL Wagon 235k AW70L B230F 8 Valve Non-Turbo Rex/Regina Non-EGR R-12

For starters, you need to find the source of the leak. You should be able to do this visually and/or by feeling around under the pump and thermostat housings. Fixing a leak at the thermostat is easy, a new gasket and retighten. I like to use some RTV on the housing, too.

The pump is another matter. It could be leaking out the gasket, the weep hole on the propeller shaft or from the pipe that exits out the back of the pump. Fixing any of these leaks requires that you remove the pump in which case you may as well replace it (if its leaking out the weep hole you have no choice). It's considerably more involved that the thermostat. If you are mecahnically inclined it's very doable. If not, pay someone to do it.