leaking coolant, no water circulating but heater blows hot?

[Sammy76]

So since you guys are so awesome I'm kinda stumped here, maybe you can help. My 97 4.0 has been smelling kinda hot after driving for awhile but the gauge doesn't show higher than 1/3 . Today I notice coolant dripping from around the front passenger side and its feeling really hot. Not leaking from a hose but probably the plastic tank. While trying to locate the leak I took the cap off and notice the coolant isn't circulating. at first I thought maybe the thermostat was bad but the upper hose is hot and the heater blows hot air!
So, I'm not sure if I have a bad water pump and crapped out temp sending unit? Or could it still blow hot air with a stuck thermostat? any suggestions on how to test the water pump? I can't afford to take it to a shop rite now so any help is appreciated.

 

[swshawaii]

OHV or SOHC? If you have the SOHC check the commonly failed lower thermostat housing. OEM upgrade linked below.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239493

 

[Sammy76]

Sohc, I believe its leaking from the radiator, seems to be pooling under it on the support shelf. I'm gonna pull the shroud and verify. Ill check the lower thermostat housing though as I know they are a common failure spot. Really stumped though on how to check the water pump?? pretty sure if the stat is bad you wont have heat, but it doesn't register as overheating and I don't see any leaking from the pump. Also didn't hear the usual squeal like a bad water pump.