1997 Ford Crown Victoria: engine overheating

Filed Aug 28, 2008 · Engine · 91,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford crown victoria. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The engine then began to overheat. The contact pulled over to further inspect the vehicle and noticed steam near the engine. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that because the intake manifold was made out of plastic, it failed. The contact would have to pay over $3,000 to have the engine replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 91,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2007 · Engine · 93,608 miles · VA

I own a !997 crown victoria, which overheated due to a crack in the intake manifold. I have owned this vehicle since 4-06-2002, and did not know about the recall until I looked it up on the internet! I had to pay for the repair myself, I think I should have been notified by ford!

Filed Jun 9, 2007 · Engine · 81,991 miles · TX

1997 ford crown vic traveling east of austin tx at posted highway speed when a crack developed in the intake manifold with resulted in loss of coolant , and subsequently motor function. Towed to authorized lincoln mercury dealer in austin, and was informed by tow truck driver that this was very common defect for this model car , and suggested I contact ford people for a recall notice. Was advised by the ford representative at the 800 telephone number provided in the owners manuel that no recall was in effect however, no cost repair was available to those vehicle seven years or under. A further program through the dealers may also be available named customer satisfaction programmability this had restriction of eight years and 80000 miles. My car didn't qualified for either program due to age and mileage even though the car has meticulous being taken care of and was under 82000 miles. Upon completion of a new intake manifold installation at a cost of $1029.98 dollars it was determined the engine was a total loss as the engine must have been damaged due to loss of coolant and resultant overheating. A replacement motor was quoted at $6000 dollars on top of the already incurred $1029.98 dollar expence. The car was junk!!! I find it difficult to understand why no recall was in effect since ford knew there was a problem. The mechanic told me they had many similar repairs in their shop. Also informed all similar police models were repaired without restrictions. If this is so I can't understand why I am discriminated. I would like the ford corporation reimburse my expenses and/or give me a voucher for a substanial discount on a new ford vehicle.

Filed Dec 28, 2006 · Engine · 89,000 miles · VA

Tl* - the contact stated that the intake manifold cracked and leaked coolant. The vehicle has approximately 89,000. The contact was driving 55-60 MPH on the interstate, and the weather conditions were fair. The contact saw a plume of white smoke following behind him. The contact immediately drove the vehicle to a repair shop. There were no warning signs or signs of overheating. The dealer removed and replaced the intake manifold and added engine coolant. *ak updated 01/26/07.

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Engine · 84,000 miles · VA

The manifold cracked, engine overheated,blew heater core had to tow car miles for replacement. Parts included manifold,gaskets, heater core and hoses. This at 84000 miles and no warranty.

Filed Jan 17, 2006 · Engine · 67,000 miles · IL

I bought a used 1997 crown vic in 2005 and I noticed coolant leakage on jan 16, 2005. The leakage might have happened before I bought the car, but it was not obvious enough for people to notice the problem.

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · Engine · 78,685 miles · CA

Dt: the vehicle is a 1997 ford crown victoria. On 6-12-05 the consumer was driving on route i40 when he smelled an odor coming from the vehicle. He called the highway patrol which arranged to have him towed to barstow. The vehicle broke down because the plastic intake manifold cracked. The vehicle lost all the coolant which caused the engine to overheat. When the mechanic from castners auto service 214 south bradford avenue, placentia, ca 92870 telephone # 714‑528‑1311 was removing the spark plugs he noticed that there was aluminum flaking on them. There was no compression. He replaced the engine and all the parts that went with it on 6-15-05 through 6-30-05. Mechanic told the consumer that it would cost more to repair the engine than to buy a new one. The replaced engine was ford manufactured. Consumer has not contacted the manufacturer as of now. Vehicle was manufactured in october 1996. *ak

Filed Aug 7, 2005 · Engine · 77,000 miles · MI

I own a 1997 ford crown victoria and while driving on expressway the car overheated and I immediately pulled of the road. After towing to mechanic he immediately diagnosed the problem as a very common one. That being the plastic engine manifold that has been a part of a fully covered warranty/recall item if your vehicle was a police or fleet vehicle. The fact that it is not covered to the private car owner does not make sense. Who would think such a important component make of plastic would be acceptable to any car owner.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Engine · 51,691 miles · TX

Plastic intake manifold failed causing engine coolant loss and engine overheating. Repair bill was $721.55. Replacement manifold is a re-designed, two component palstic intake manifold/metal cross-over coolant tube. Contacted ford for reimbursement but ford refused. Wrote numerous letters and emails to ford but ford refused to take responsibility for the faulty engineering. I still have the defective manifold and continue to drive this sorry excuse of "ford quality". What a joke.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Engine · 115,900 miles · KY

Car was running normally when I gradually started to smell coolant coming from under the hood. I looked and saw coolant leaking from around the thermostat housing. I went and replaced the gasket for the thermostat and added silicone. The coolant than started to leak even worse. I looked at the manifold and it appeared that there was a small crack on the housing. I found out that via the internet and a public works tech that the plastic manifolds were defective. I called a ford dealership and they said that it was out of their 7 year warranty. They said that I would have to pay for it. A kit costs around $589 and chevron quoted parts and labor at $1,050.

Filed Mar 26, 2005 · Engine, Steering · 55,900 miles · OH

The following is a well known and well documented design crown victoria 4.6 engine failure, which ford has ignored and claimed it is "investigating" for the ordinary consumer, while providing extended warranties for police cars and taxis. Obviously, they don't want to lose this fleet market. There have even been news stories on this via nbc. The failure relates to a plastic intake manifold cracking prematurely, causing complete loss of coolant fluids, extreme consequent engine overheating, and resultant catastrophic engine failure. They sell the replacement and re-engineered part for nearly 600 dollars and charge almost 500 dollars additional to install it. This is a non-moving part which should not fail under normal use! There is even an entire aftermarket business making these parts as a replacement for less money...although I suspect most folks just pay ford to do the repair. Queries to dealers meet with a reiteration of the above information and a kind "sorry, it's not covered" reply. I believe this is a case of fraud and misrepresentation of fitness, as opposed to the normal risks of wear and tear...their policy regarding lucrative fleet extended repairs speaks to this, in my opinion. This is a safety hazard defect due to engine stalling and power assist loss.

Filed Feb 20, 2005 · Engine · 37,400 miles · LA

Cracked intake manifold discovered when car began to overheat, thermostat was replaced thinking it was a bad seal, only to discover the manifold was cracked. New manifold is on order $285 dollars, still waiting on the repair bill.