Does coolant damage car's paint like tranny oil?

Coolant seems to leak somewhere. I see almost 1/2 inch drop in coolant level in 2 months.

1992 300D. 230 k miles.

A mech who did coolant change (recommemded every 3 years) a couple of days ago, suggested replacing water pump and thermostat cover.

almost 1/2" in 2 months doesn't seem that bad to me. Mine leaks about the same.
My leak is at the top water-pump hose, driver's side, a little trickle. I just keep an eye on the level each week, keep a bottle of coolant in the trunk and top-up when needed.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

brake fluid will raise havoc with your car's finish. my experience is that antifreeze will not harm the paint. reasonable caveats apply.

Thanks.

Now the leak became worse.
The coolant level dropped half an inch in one month.

A mechanic suggested replacing water pump and thermostat cover.
Where are these components under the hood?
I want to "see" the leak location before spending money.

By the way, I ran 313 miles (60~80% highway miles) since last diesel fill up. Yesterday, I filled 12.562 galons.
So this results in ~25 mpg.
When I checked mpg last fall, it was about 31 mpg.
I wonder how my car became so worse in half a year.
I do not feel strange sound or vibration from the engine.
The coolant temperature is usually 85~90 degrees C.

My car is 1992 300D 2.5 turbodiesel. 229982 miles.

Thermostat cover and water pump will be in close proximity to each other at the front of the engine. Look where there is a junction where at least 3 major coolant hoses come together.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record