Coolant leak from metal pipe under front intake manifold?

[CurbsEnthusiasm]

Never seem to have a successful mechanic experience.

I took my LX to a Lexus/Mercedes specialist yesterday and had him install an OEM timing belt kit/water pump etc etc...all the goodies.

When I arrived home coolant was dripping rapidly near the rear of the engine where it connects to the trans...also a bit in the front.

I brought the 100 back to him this morning and he was admittedly embarrassed and apologetic. I left and he called back saying it would take all day.

Picking up the car he tells me he took everything apart again and put new seals on the water pump and it was still leaking.

He says he discovered an almost needle like pin hole in a metal heater pipe directly under the intake manifold (he believe removing the water pump pushed a failure it was going to have eventually).

His solution without removing the intake manifold was to bypass that heater pipe and plug it for the time being. I'm told all I lose out on is my heater (which for now doesn't matter in South Florida). He wanted $400 to repair it but said I should wait until I decide I need a heater...

Anyone know exactly what metal pipe he is referring too? I've seen posts referring to the heater T pipe connectors but never the front metal pipe.

 

[OuttaTown]

I had a leak at the front of that same metal pipe after I did my 90k job. In my case it was a small o-ring where it entered the back of the water pump that hadn't seated properly and leaked badly. In the below photo, it is the pipe going left to right along the closer head, with the o-ring end hidden. I had to pull the intake, remove that pipe and fit a new o-ring from this side. MUCH easier than removing all of the new stuff I had just installed. Maybe 2-3 hours. I tend to think the o-ring is more likely that a leak sprouting mid-pipe, but the only way to know is to inspect the pipe. Good luck.