I was going to ask which car you’re looking at here but now I see a blue SS in the so I assume that your new SS has the leak.

Have you already checked the coolant level? (Maybe discussed in another thread?)

That noise sounds like chains, but it could be some sort of valve noise too. I wouldn’t make any final decisions until removing the valve cover.

How much leak? Lots of water pumps are replaced unnecessarily because of a little dribble. If you wind up doing the chains, if there’s any question about the water pump you might as well replace it, but make it a good one.

 

Usually the lifter noise in an SS is the HPFP as FMG mentioned earlier and he otta know, he’s got an SS!

 

I heard an SS once that had lost the black foamy sound insulator over the HPFP. What a racket! Fortunately, mine's intact. Still not terribly quiet.

 

There more proof, it’s most likely not valve train noises.

 

This was your first post.
I asked....
and you say this.
You seem to be confused.

 

Fan should turn on at about 219F off at about 180F, only run after shutdown if the temp is veeeery high. Fan should run if AC is on.
SS might have different temps, but the proper 180F t-stat dictates the 180F turn off, its job is to keep the temp ABOVE 180F.

 

I think I'll just have the local mechanic diagnose it. My lt with 220k has 0 issues... idk where to start on this one

 

Ok, but remember, he doesn’t know the Ecotec 2.0 like we do, the different sprockets! The water pump whine from the balance shaft chain tensioner ratcheting to tight! The front guide upper bolt and the ZZP new front guide. You can’t just jump in cold feet, but you can ask us questions and we’ll tell you what to look for and what to expect when you do the job.

 

Did you even look at the heater hoses?

 

I did not. Sorry. You'll have to walk me through this step by step