Chrysler Repair: leaking coolant from near fuel filter/ n that area, overheating., chrysler labaron, electric fuel pump

Question
we have a 87 chrysler labaron, 2.5 4cyl. noticed it smoking yesterday after we turned it off.  could smell antifreeze. when we looked there was a leak located on the driver's side by the fuelfilter, there r some connections there that we don't know what they r.  could u please explain to us what these parts are and if they can b replaced pretty easy.  thank u for your time.

Answer
Hi Kimberly,
There are two types of set-ups for an '87 LeBaron (depending upon whether you have the 2 door coupe or convertible, or the 4 door GTS), I believe, because the former has a fuel injected engine with an electric fuel pump and the latter may have a carbureted engine with a mechanical fuel pump. The fuel filter in the former is under the car near the tank, while the one for the latter is as use described it to be on the side of the engine facing the radiator and on the driver's end. I assume that latter set up is what you are speaking about. (Sorry to belabor this point but I need to be sure which set up we are speaking about.)
I too have a four cylinder engine like yours, and it sounds like what you have there is a leak involving the thermostat housing which is located between the 3rd and 4th spark plugs. It has two large hoses and a flange that is bolted to the front of the housing where the thermostat is located. Any of those hoses/clamps or the flange could be the site of the leak and it should be a very easy fix. If the hoses aren't cracked and leaking, then simply tightening the hose clamps should fix that sort of leak. The flange has a couple of bolts that you could check for tightness, and if that doesn't fix the leak then you can get a new gasket for the thermostat flange, remove the bolts, and replace the old gasket. So look closely at that housing area and see if you can tell exactly which joint is leaking. Let me know if I have misunderstood where the leak is, but if I have it correct I believe this is a minor problem that you or a competent mechanic can fix easily.
It the leak is due to a cracked hose, then the hose will need to be replaced, but that too is easy.
If the the leak has caused air to enter the thermostat housing (or you have to open the flange or replace a hose) you may notice that subsequently your temperature gauge is reading high even though you replace the lost coolant. In which case you will need to do a little procedure designed to release the air from the housing. If so, let me know and I'll tell you how to do that. Or the mechanic should know how to do that, but if not I'll explain it to him/her.
Roland