Major Coolant Leak...among other things.

I have a 1996 Grand Am 2.4l 4 cyl with 137k miles. It has developed a bad leak (heavy drip after turning car off) of coolant. The leak is towards the back of the engine in the middle. People have suggested that it may be a faulty water pump..but I have driven the car for days...and it stays within normal engine temps and the coolant level stays above minimum (I have added some coolant, but not much), it is my knowledge that is can be impossible to drive with a bad pump? Is this a common problem and if it is...where should I start?

Problem #2...I believe my starter is failing. The reason is maybe 10-15% of starts is gives me a "scare" that it won't start by not giving a normal starter sound (crank), more of a nasty whirl..Are there telltale signs for a novice if the starter is most likely the problem and is it hard to replace for a DIY'er (and cost).

Well...this is my 1st post and I am exited to be here...thanks!

Aaron

Could be water pump, fluid may be tracking and not falling directly below it. I would take a look at pump (on passenger side on engine) and see if there is any wet spots below it (in particular the weep hole in pump assembly).

Hmmm.....I don't understand it! The leak has stopped on its own. I have driven it daily the last few weeks (70 miles round trip/day) and I can't "get it to leak." Is this common or what is usually the cause if this happens? Oh...and I replaced the starter with one from a junkyard (for a mere $40 and all is good now! :)