1998 XLT 3.0 2WD.

I've read a lot about the water pump and timing cover gaskets being major culprits, but it's hard to pinpoint this one. There is coolant sprayed everywhere in the engine bay, because wherever it's coming from, it's getting on the serpentine belt.

When it gets on the serpentine belt, the belt squeals loudly. It is not a constant flow, as it's not always squealing.

The engine heats up, reaches a certain point, heater blows hot air, then the water temp gauge dips, the heater blows cold, and belt squealing starts. After a few minutes the squealing usually stops completely and the heater resumes blowing hot air.

The majority of leaked coolant that I can see is on the front of the passenger side of the bay, sprayed all over everything, but mostly on accessories and low on the passenger side of the radiator itself. Underneath the truck the passenger side of suspension is dripping wet with coolant.

Does this sound like a timing gasket or water pump leak? From what I can see of the water pump, it's dry. I've felt around the passenger side (upper) radiator hose and while there is some splatter on it, it doesn't seem to be the origin of the leak.

Right now I'm planning on replacing the radiator, upper and lower hoses, thermostat, and radiator cap on Saturday morning. Should I just go ahead and do this, or how should I modify my plan of attack? Ordered all the parts from Amazon so it'd be easy to return anything I don't wind up needing.

 

Most likely a hose, it swells with the pressure after coolant warms up and then sprays it out

Rent a cooling system pressure test kit, $20
It installs in place of the radiator cap
It has a hand pump and a pressure gauge

Pump up pressure to 20psi and look for the leak
Way way easier to find a leak on a COLD engine

Pressure will drop if you have a leak