Sorry for a new thread on this, but the existing ones all seem different than my situation. My ultra gauge says I am not overheating. it reads the consistent 194 it has since I started using it two years ago (peaks sometimes at 201 at a drive through). Suddenly I'm leaking coolant that lands on the front prop shaft so it must be coming from the rear passenger side of the engine. Also, as I was investigating the drips at idle, I noticed that the heater was not blowing cold, but when I drove around the block, it suddenly began to blow hot. I really don't want to deal with a head gasket but what else could it be?

 

And I guess it could be helpful to know that this is an 02 with 100K on the engine. Some research indicates the possibility of freeze plugs. Replacing these sounds just as bad as gaskets. I suspect a bad thermostat may be forcing coolant out in a weak spot??

 

Rent or borrow a cooling system pressure tester.