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The bonne has been leaking antifreeze quite a bit lately. so much that I had to park it. and It looks like it rained infront of the car where the coolant leaked out. I went to see where it was leaking one day and by the belt, to the right of the coolant pump, it was steaming a bit and smelled like antifreeze. What is the possibility of this just being a soft plug or a bolt? and does anyone know the location of the soft plug and what size it is?

It's probably either the water pump or the heater elbows.

Right above the water pump is one of the elbows that is probably leaking. The only other thing to the right is the lower radiator hose and the radiator itself.

Have you had the UIM and LIM gaskets replaced? What about the coolant elbows?

Clean it up and fill it and look for the leak.

Another vote for the coolant elbows. $9 on Amazon for aluminum ones and a quick fix after you drain the coolant. Maybe you wouldn't have to drain the coolant to replace them, one of the more experienced members might know, but I replaced mine when I replaced the LIM gaskets and there was still coolant in them even after the radiator was drained. All you'd have to do is take off the serpentine belt, alternator and tensioner assembly, swap out the elbows, and put everything back together. Those plastic elbow are notorious for failing.

Haven't had the UIM and LIM gaskets replaced. How hard are they to do?
In regards to the water pump, how hard is it to replace myself? Just got quoted for 600 for the water pump and I feel like that is way too much.

Also what about the power steering pump, the internal bearing is bad and the whole unit needs replaced and i got quoted 500 for that.

I do have some mechanical experience just never done these exact jobs

UIM and LIM gaskets run between $200-$300 depending on the parts used and can be done on a good weekend by a first timer. More experienced people get them done in about 8 hours. Here is the Techinfo write up for them:

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... c3591.html

Here is the UIM information and why the work needs done:

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... c1061.html

As for the water pump, there is that torque axis mount that is a PITA and sometimes the welded nuts break loose in the frame to complicate things.

My suggestion to anyone doing the LIM/UIM work should just do the water pump while it is tore down. The VC gaskets are also a good one to do.

Where are you located?

Plan for a Saturday and do it yourself. You'll save hundreds. Intake manifolds are not bad to do. Having done intakes before, I could do it in an afternoon and be done around dinner. Maybe assume it'll take a whole weekend to do everything (water and P/S pumps included), accounting for hang-ups, since you haven't done it before.

I'm above chicago in the naval base, and are there any special tools i'll need? Being on base, I just have the bare minimum sockets, screw drivers, hammers, pliers,saw, and dremel and thats about it.

And where should I get parts from? autozone(or just store) or junk yard?

I would not trust any of these parts from a JY. They are normal wear items. If you read through the links I posted, there is a lot of information there. Some only recommend the GM LIM gaskets and the APN UIM. Others have used the Fel-pro gaskets and Dorman UIM.

It will be up to you and your budget as for what parts you want to use.

There are not many tools really needed. e had a guy up here do the work in his driveway with not much more than a socket se he just bought from the parts store.

I suggest taking the time and reading through both of those links before even buying parts and getting familiar with what is done. It will make things a lot easier going in.

I just put the Fel-Pro gaskets in my car and they are well built, fit well, and are working great so far. Like myfirstbonnie said, only basic tools are needed, however I did buy a torque wrench just to be on the safe side when tightening the bolts on the intakes. I found links for the water pumps and steering pumps, so here they are.
Steering Pump- [url]http://www.amazon.com/Cardone-Industries-20-895-Power-Steering/dp/B000ZH1EEO/ref=au_pf_ss_1?ie=UTF8&Make=Pontiac%7C52&Model=Bonneville%7C591&Year=1997%7C1997&carId=001&n=15684181&s=automotive/url]
Water Pump- [url]http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-252-693-Water-Pump/dp/B000C9IVFK/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1395759722&sr=1-2&keywords=water+pump+for+car/url]

Seems cheap enough for those ones, anyone know links for the UIM and LIM?

What I found for the LIM
http://www.ineedparts.com/97-03-lower-i ... 0-v-6.html

What I found for the UIM
http://www.ineedparts.com/gm-intake-sur ... d-kit.html

From my understanding these will work. What do you guys think and what else would I need with this?

Would I benefit from changing the stove pipes too? the car is gonna be 17 years old this year and i probably won't have it on for road for more than 3 more years.

Absolutely do NOT get plastic LIM gaskets. They will eventually fail and you'll have to do it again. Get the aluminum set from GM or Felpro.

This set from that same site. I don't know if the price is good or not, but that is what you are looking for.

http://www.ineedparts.com/96-08-lower-i ... yplus.html

I would not use those gaskets. Look at auto zone or advance etc and look for the fel pro metal framed ones. That UIM is the recommended one and comes with the gasket and stove pipes.

My plastic Felpros were done 7 yrs ago and are just starting to leak after 30k miles on them.
Get the metal lowers, they were not available when I did the LIM.

Alright, so I'll get the permadry one and the upper one that we put on here,
is there anything else I will need?

Coolant elbows.

And for the power steering pump you sent me, how hard is it to press the pulley on myself?

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-47065HP-El ... icleType=5

Elbows. It also has the "frequently bought together" option with the aluminum gaskets and Dorman manifold for what looks like a good price.