hi i just bought a 1998 chevy malibu. there are no signs of coolant in the oil or white smoke coming from the exaust but car would not start and it was leaking coolamt from the exhaust manifold area i

You most likely have a blown head gasket, or warped/cracked head. Not all head gasket issues cause white smoke or coolant in oil, although it seems you do have oil in the coolant. Try some NAPA "Block Tester," it'll tell you if exhaust gases are getting into the coolant indicating one of those conditions above.

Ken above is correct , first thing I thought was a blown head gasket , outside chance of a bad freeze plug in the engine .

No oil in or on anything, no water leaks? visible anyway? Sounds like your intake manifold gave out to me. Resevoir sludge? Sounds like the previous owner added wrong fluid. Doubt head gasket. Hope this helps.