(2000 Ranger, 3.0, 5 spd]

Morning.
So last year we replaced the head gaskets and timing chain on my truck. And has been running great.

Yesterday, however, coolant starting pouring out from in front of the engine where the water pump/timing cover is. Looks like a port, where a plug should be?

 

Can you get a picture of the area?
Or go here and circle the area you are looking at. https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK-Engines/059/VFWF/10002/-1
There is no plug on the timing cover that would leak coolant. The water pump does have a "Weep" hole to let you know that it has failed or it starting to fail and it will leak from there.

 

Thank you for the response!

It ended up being a bolt that fell out yesterday. My neighbor (who is a retired career Ford man) put a new one in it.

Will see how it goes!!

 

Great!

 

There are bolts that go directly into the water jacket that hold the timing cover on, those bolts need some RTV put on the threads to seal them up.
The RTV also keeps the threads from being welded onto the block so it can come apart next time.

There is also the chance of a very slow coolant leak, coolant flows down through the treads and out the side of the lock washer.