Ford Mustang GT overheating problems

Filed May 26, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · CA

My 2000 mustang gt overheated while I was driving back home, on a ten mile journey a couple days ago. Until this incident, my mustang had never overheated. I bought the car last sept. I used hose water at gas station to cool it first on hood then once my engine looked cooler, I filled the radiator (thinking we'd flush the cooling system when I got it home) water emptied as fast as I poured it in, from intake manifold behind what looks like the thermostat housing. My car is my only transportation. Now I'm not sure what to do. Because I used all my money to buy this car. I can not afford to fix this. My situation appears identical to several on your site, such as this one I just copied from one of the complaints posted:oct 08, 2013 - lexington, sc - engine and engine cooling while driving vehicle, engine began to overheat. Steam rolled from under the hood. Discovered crack in manifold where it connects to thermostat housing. Coolant dripping on the engine; I do not know if internal components are damaged.

Filed Oct 8, 2013 · Engine · 140,000 miles · SC

While driving vehicle, engine began to overheat. Steam rolled from under the hood. Discovered crack in manifold where it connects to thermostat housing. Coolant dripping on the engine; I do not know if internal components are damaged. Researched it online and found that there was a recall on this model and that ford corrected this in subsequent models by changing manifold to aluminum from the plastic. Ford will not honor recall for my vehicle. They are claiming that my vehicle isn't on the recall despite the fact that my car contains the same part that has been recalled.

Filed Dec 4, 2012 · Engine · 102,000 miles · PA

Cracked intake manifold caused var to overheat.

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Engine · 107,781 miles · RI

I just had to pay approx $700 to replace my intake manifold which cracked and caused a coolant leak. Upon fixing this issue, I was informed that this was a ford recall a few years ago. Seeing as this part has never been replaced on my vehicle, I would like more information on this recall and what can be done.

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Engine · NV

The plastic intake manifold cracked and leaked coolant onto the engine and other related components. Car died on freeway. The plastic intake manifold cracks. The coolant will leak onto the top of the block and then down the back of the engine. This intake design is a known defect by ford. Below is an "owner notification letter" from ford: 97m91 april, 1999 ford motor company is providing a no-charge service program number 97m91, to owners of certain 1996 through 1998 crown victoria taxi, town car limo prep & delivery package, 1996 and 1997 thunderbird, cougar and mustang vehicles equipped with 4.6l sohc engines. This service program provides additional coverage for the intake manifold. Reason for this program fatigue cracks may develop in some of the composite intake manifolds used on the 4.6l sohc engines installed in the affected cars. This condition may result in engine coolant leakage which, if not detected or ignored, will cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure. What we will do if the engine of your car should develop a coolant leak at the intake manifold cross over coolant passage, located directly behind the alternator, your dealer will verify the condition. If the coolant leakage is from the location described above, your dealer will replace the engine intake manifold assembly free of charge. This no charge coverage is available for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date (no mileage limitation) and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners. My complaint is that my mustang did not leak at the given 7 years and now ford motor company will not do anything. Everyone who owns these defective vehicles should have a replacement made available to them regardless of when the failure occurred. It is a safety issue, as stated in above letter from ford.

Filed Nov 15, 2011 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford mustang gt. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle began to overheat and steam was escaping from under the hood. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that the plastic riser on the back side of the manifold and the heater hose were fractured and water was leaking from the heater hose. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and was inspected by an independent mechanic. The mechanic was able to attach the hose back onto the vehicle. In addition, the intake gasket was leaking anti freeze and water where the manifold was attached to the cylinder heads. The mechanic advised that the intake manifold was fractured and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2010 · Engine · 127,000 miles · NC

Driving down interstate when started smelling antifreeze. Thought it was coming from a car in front of me. All gauges were fine with no indication of an engine problem. I drove for several miles before I began to notice engine trouble. By this point all the water had been pumped out of the motor. All engine gauges continued to read fine. After pulling off side of the road and diagnosing the problem I discovered that the heater hose outlet on top of fords plastic intake had broke off. In order to fix this issue you have to replace the entire intake. This could have been much worse as when I stopped I could have been burned, also when I finally noticed it was my car smoke was filling the interior through the heater vents. I still don't know if the motor is alright as it severely overheated. Bare minimum is over 800 to fix if there is no motor damage.

Filed Aug 29, 2008 · Engine · 125,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang gt. While driving various speeds, the vehicle idled roughly, overheated, and hesitated. The dealer stated that coolant was leaking from the intake manifold crossover channel. The technician also stated that there was a ford safety campaign that pertained to the failures he was experiencing. However, the stipulation of the safety campaign state that the vehicle must be within seven years of the original purchase date. The vehicle exceeds this stipulation by six weeks. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 131,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2008 · Engine · 19,000 miles · NY

At 19,000 miles my car began overheating during the test drive and had radiator fluid spilled in the engine compartment. Inspecting the upper radiator hoses one of the clamps was broken. While replacing the clamp I discovered that another one was broken as well. A search online of complaints about this problem revealed similar complaints. I no longer have the old clamps.

Filed Dec 24, 2007 · Engine · 91,833 miles · FL

1999 ford mustang gt appears to have crack in plastic intake system, and is losing coolant. Previously owned a 1997 mustang gt, and this was replaced under a recall. I can not find any info relating to the same problem with the 1999.