something's leaking...

[allensteiner]

...from under the plastic cover on the timing chain cover. idk if it's coolant, oil or both. is there oil inside the timing chain cover or is my water pump leaking?

[maxhopper]

The oil pump and water pump are both under the timing cover.

[kzoosho]

but arent our timing chains a wet float style?

[maxhopper]

I've actually never been in the timing chain cover of the 3.0, but I've helped a local guy doing a 3.5 swap into a 4th gen; and I know for sure that chain is dry.

[allensteiner]

The oil pump and water pump are both under the timing cover.

i hope it's just the water pump, maybe a seal or something. i guess i'll have a crappy weekend messing with the timing chain cover

[maxhopper]

Regardless of which one it is, I don't envy you in either case. There is an access plate on the timing cover for the water pump (#15 in the diagram on page EM-17 http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/1995/em.pdf). That may help in confirming or eliminating the water pump as the cause.