I am having a hard time locating the source of my engine coolant leak on my 1998 Malibu V6 3.1L

I dont believe its the radiator hose, I replaced it anyways. Here are two pictures of where pools of coolant occur.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m105/jedidrw/DSC_0247.jpg


http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m105/jedidrw/DSC_0248.jpg

Just today my engine started to tick and ticks faster as the RPMs go up, changed the oil and its a bit quieter. I am at 100k miles and I know it is time for a tune-up. From the manual it only recommends changing the spark plugs and checking the wires. Any suggestions on what should really be done and the approx cost?

Thanks for any input!

Ticking noise went away with an oil change :-)

Most likely your intake gasket. VERY common on those.

Lower Intake manifold gasket is the culprit, replace it with Fel-Pro's revised gasket. The Dex-Cool Coolant degrades the original factory LIM gasket due to it being partly made of plastic, the Fel-Pro one has rubber.

The ticking is typical with the 3100 and most of them you'll hear it on start up till the engine warm up then it's quieter.