2000 Water pump

My wife called me at work today and said " there is something leaking out of the van". When I got home I looked underneath and sure enough, its leaking coolant. I am assuming it's coming from the water pump, it's dripping off the frame on the right side. I am about to do the isolator bolt fix so I went to the Ford dealer to check on parts. I told the guy there about the water leak and he said it's probably coming from the intake. It looks like too much water to me to be the intake. Do you guys think it's the water pump gaskets? or are the things like a chevy V8 when the water pump starts leaking it's the pump thats bad? Also when I asked him for a gallon of coolant for it he brought out a jug of green. Which coolant is suppose to go in it? whats in it looks kinda gold or something but definitely not green.I just looked and the pump is dry around the weep hole on the top.

The Gold coolant is the G-05 type coolant.
The Zerex website does show 2000 model year as being still with the traditional GREEN coolant.

I would look more into the source of the leak.
The front cover gasket is known to leak on the 3.8L motor.
The water pump and oil pump are mounted to the front cover.

Look over the hoses.....lower radiator hose......and the heater hose....as well as the metal pipes around the water pump.

Replacing the water pump requires you to lift the motor up about 4" to clear the unibody frame member that is right next to the pump pulley.
So the water pump replacement job can be a pain to do yourself.

The front cover gasket is a MAJOR repair job....gasket is cheap but it is a major labor job......raising the motor as with the pump job.....and a BUNCH of other stuff.

I am not saying that the problem is not, as you suspect, the water pump....but it would be best to be sure before buying parts and starting the job......only to find out that something else is the cause of the leak.

I took it to the Ford dealer yesterday to have them diagnose where the leak is coming from. They said they couldn't be sure so they put the dye in it and told me to drive it for a 100mi then bring it back. They mentioned the intake gasket but I'm not convinced, it seems like too much water for the intake. The strange thing is I can drive it and park and it will leak a pretty good little puddle then I can drive it again a little while later and park and it leaves nothing. When I get it straightened should I drain the G-05 coolant and refill with the green?

If it has G-05 in it.....I would leave it in there.
I actually flushed my '96 (which came with green) and replaced it with the G-05.
They recommend not mixing the 2 types......and if one does not get all the green out......when replacing with G-05, the recommend that one use the shorter (2 year) lifespan.
G-05 is supposed to be a 5 year life....but if mixed with green.....it is to be treated as a 2 year coolant (which is what the green coolant is rated for).
Anyhow, the G-05 has been fine for the 3 years that I have had it in there.
BOTH the "traditional green" and G-05 have some silicate that provides imediate protection.

A "Dexcool" or "Dexcool type" of coolant (which is the most common out there right now......even the yellow Prestone Jug that used to be green coolant is a silicate free coolant now)......would NOT be as good for our windstars.

The lower intake manifold gaskets are a known common leak point......and it is possible for a leak to run down......being hard to locate the source.
It is good to hear that they are doing the dye......to determine where the leak is...instead of throwing parts at it.
If it is the water pump.....fine.....one can address that....but it would not be good to have a perfectly good water pump replaced......only to find that it did not solve the problem and now you have to spend a bunch more money.

Thanks for your help wiswind, I had decided if it was the water pump or timing chain cover I would let Ford do it. If it's anything else I will do it. Hopefully it's the intake gasket and I can knock that out the same time I do the isolator bolt fix. I have already added some of that prestone coolant that will supposedly mix with any type. Should I completely drain when I get all this stuff straightened out and refill with G-05? Thanks again wiswind.

If it has not been done, it is due for the coolant to be changed.
I would not use any chemical cleaners.....just change it.
I personally like the G-05, but either the traditional Green (ONLY if your vehicle came with it) or G-05 will be fine.
However, I would hold off until you get the leak repaired......and do it at that time.
If it is the front cover gasket or intake manifold gasket, a oil and filter change is a MUST before starting the engine.

The Ford dealer called me today and said my water pump is cracked. They said because it was cracked is why it would leak a lot sometimes and not much at all other times.They said just under $500.00 for them to do it, which included the $50.00 in time for them to find it. I guess since I don't have an engine hoist I will have to let them do it. Anyone else hear of the water pump cracking?

The Ford dealer called me today and said my water pump is cracked. They said because it was cracked is why it would leak a lot sometimes and not much at all other times.They said just under $500.00 for them to do it, which included the $50.00 in time for them to find it. I guess since I don't have an engine hoist I will have to let them do it. Anyone else hear of the water pump cracking?

I seen hair line cracks near the pulley area before.. Not sure if it leaked there. Sometimes there hard to fine until they do leak. When the grease and crime builds up its hard to spot.. Talking in general about typical water pump leaks.. But they usually leak around the bearing area.