Chrysler Repair: Leaking Water from 94 Lebaron, lebaron convertible, mounting bolt

Question
My dad is trying to fix his 94 Lebaron Convertible.  The temp runs hot and water is continuously leaking and running out on the drivers side in just a few inches from the front tire.  It appears to be originating from just above a water hose connector on the right side of the motor housing between the two soft plugs.  The problem began last fall and the car sat unused over the winter.  All the antifreeze drained out at some point and prior to starting it today, we had to refill with a full gallon of fluid.  After iddling for 2 minutes, water was pouring out again.  My dad is thinking it could be a cracked head.  Could it be something else?  What tests could we try?  We do not have the owners manual for the car and need suggestions.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Marci,
I can't be sure where the leak is, but I think it might be something fairly easy. If the leak appears to be coming out between the two banks of cylinders, in the space between the intake manifold and the top of the block, then it could just be an O-ring(s) that is fatigued or the bracket that maintains the connection between the two pipes that are sealed together by that ring which has loosened enough to allow the seal to leak. The large hose from the bottom of the radiator goes into the pipe which goes into that opening in the engine and that pipe connects to a similar pipe that is hidden from view which goes to the water pump intake at the front of the engine (also hidden). So you will see a bracket on the pipe that is attached to a transmission mounting bolt which if you remove will allow you to separate those two pipes and replace the o-ring. The hidden pipe has a bracket that is held by a bolt on the back of the engine block and if you remove that you can extract that hidden pipe and at the other end of it there is another identical o-ring that seals it to the water pump. I guess I would look carefully to see if the leak is at the closer joint or the waterpump joint at the front of the engine, or just replace the closer o-ring and see if that stops the leak and if not, then remove the hidden pipe and replace its o-ring also. Tighten the mounting bracket bolts to 8 foot-pounds.
I hope this is the cause of your problem as it is a very easy fix compared to the alternative of a cracked head. You would not expect a cracked head unless the engine was allowed to overheat badly.
Let me know what you find or have a question.
Roland