1990 ford ranger, bad leak

My ranger has a bad leak underneath the radiator hose. It appears to be coming from the seal around the middle of the engine. I am a mom, not a mechanic, but my son and I would like to save this old truck. Is this a serious problem, gasket, or does it sound worse? Water gushes out as fast as i put it in and when the engine is running, the belt sprays the water up onto the inside of the hood. There appears to be no oil in it, just water. Any suggestions from you worldly and very brilliant guys?

Wrong forum, methinks!

(But, by the way, it sounds like your water pump is shot. If so --- allowing for the fact that I've never worked on a Ford Ranger ---- it's probably not too big of a job to replace --- unlike the Honda Accord's !!!)

It doesn't sound too serious, I'd bet its your water pump. You will probabally get more help in the ford ranger forum.