98 5.0 Mountanier spraying coolant.

[shadetreebronco]

A friend of mine has a 98 5.0 with 130,000 . He says there is antifreeze spraying out somewhere on the passenger side front of the engine. He checked hoses.
He thinks head gasket.
My questions are how common is it for a 5.0 head gasket to blow antifreeze out in this location?
Is the 98 Merc. 5.0 a GT-40 type engine?
I have read about intake and timing cover problems also.Any input on common problems and experiences would be appreciated.
I will be looking at it soon . It hasnt ran in a few moths so it may or may not be worth making him a offer.

 

[adsm08]

A head gasket would be an extremely uncommon place to get coolant spraying.

I would much quicker suspect a freeze plug, they can rot and get pin holes that will spray.

Get a pressure tester and pump the system up with the engine off, it can make it easier to find a leak when the fan isn't spinning.

 

[shadetreebronco]

Didnt think of doing that .
Thanks.

 

[shadetreebronco]

Well looks like it may be the thermostat bypass hose or connection. I took a chance made a offer .