1997 Ford Thunderbird: engine overheating

Filed Jul 3, 2011 · Body, Engine · 55,770 miles · MI

The plastic intake manifold on my 1997 ford thunderbird cracked spilling out all my coolant and causing my engine to overheat, this is a design flaw that should be coverd by ford motor company, this happend while driving down gratiot ave. In roseville mi at 40 miles per hour with no previous warning, this failure happend 7/3/2011 saturday over the forth of july weekend, where I couldn't get it to a open ford dealership, now I connot use my vehical for work monday 7/4/2011. Will this repair be coverd by ford motor company?

Filed Aug 31, 2007 · Engine · 57,000 miles · WV

Tl*the contact's daughter owns a 1997 ford thunderbird. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle overheated and the contact noticed that antifreeze was leaking. Her daughter noticed a crack on the intake manifold, which she believed may be the cause of failure. As of august 31, 2007, the dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The failure mileage was 57,000 and current mileage was 60,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2006 · Engine · 72,950 miles · NC

Intake manifold split causing coolant leakage.

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Engine · AZ

Dt: 1997 ford thunderbird lx v8 4.6 liters. 1997 ford thunderbird lx had a coolant leak. The plastic intake manifold overheated. Could smell antifreeze when getting out of vehicle. The antifreeze was leaking in three places. Vehicle had the original parts. The consumer was the second owner of the vehicle. Had not contacted the manufacturer. Did have someone look at vehicle , who confirmed that the intake manifold was plastic and vehicle was leaking antifreeze, and that the o rings needed to be replaced. Manufacturer was aware of this problem. The consumer found on the internet that a technical service bulletins was sent out on february 2, 2002 discussing this problem. However, the consumer was unaware of the technical service bulletin.

Filed Jul 30, 2005 · Engine, Suspension · 33,573 miles · CA

To whom it may concern! My 1997 ford thunderbird is not listed why? I have a lot of problems with the smog stuff every year I pay a lot of money. When temperatures are hot outside over 90 the engine light comes on and says service engine, or when I go up a long hill and my car overheats the engine light comes on and says service engine and it is always about an oxygen sensor or other smog related items that always cost $300 to $650 I am going b broke being on a fixed income. Ford can't fix my front end vibration I had all alignments done wheel balancing 4 times nothing helps. My steering wheel vibrates also. Please help! Manfred gauer .

Filed Sep 7, 2004 · Engine · 65,490 miles · GA

The intake manifold was defective. All of the coolant leaked and subsequently the vehicle was towed. The dealer stated the defect was outside of the seven years of the original recall.

Filed Sep 19, 2003 · Engine · 48,000 miles · WA

Engine developed a coolant leak due to a split in the plastic intake manifold. Recall 97m91 which is only good for 7 years from the start of the original warranty was up 2 days prior to incident. Fomoco and dealer wouldn't cover, to bad for me. Recall doesn't cover replacement unless it is leaking within that 7 years. Design has been changed to an aluminum crossover that hopefully wont split and costs approx $800 to fix.

Filed Aug 8, 2003 · Engine · 62,000 miles · AZ

Fatigue crack in intake manifold of 4.6 l engine that that caused loose of coolant and the engine to over heat. My 1997 ford thunderbird is not part of the recall even thought it has the same engine and defective manifold. Repair cost is $600.00. Ford already has a recall and the follow was coped from source: ford motor company documents ford motor company will extend the recall (01m02) on 4.6l v8 equipped vehicles with plastic intake manifolds. Some of the composite intake manifolds used on 4.6l sohc engines may develop fatigue cracks at the coolant crossover duct. This condition could result in engine coolant leakage which, if not serviced, may cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure. The updated recall now includes: " certain 1996 through 2001 model year crown victoria police interceptor " certain 1998 through 2001 model year crown victoria with taxi " certain 1998 through 2001 lincoln town car limousine and livery prep package " certain 1996-2001 crown victoria taxis, police cars and lincoln town car limousine and livery cars. " certain 1996 through 1997 crown victoria police interceptor vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the st. Thomas assembly plant from the beginning of production for the 1996 model year through january 28, 1997. " certain 1998 through 2001 crown victoria police interceptor vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the st. Thomas assembly plant from november 22, 1997 through december 15, 2000. " certain 1998 through 2001 crown victoria taxi vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the st. Thomas assembly plant from november 22, 1997 through december 15, 2000. " certain 1998 through 2001 lincoln town car limousine prep package and livery vehicles with 4.6l sohc engines built at the wixom assembly plant from november 22, 1997 through december 15, 2000.

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Engine · 60,000 miles · AL

Per consumer vehicle is not part of the owner notification for the intake manifold coolant leak # .97m91, but vehicle is experiencing the same failure.

Filed Apr 21, 2002 · Fuel system · PA

Intake manifold failure with coolant leak to engine compartment.. Car was subject to a ford service bulletin recall in 1998 for intake manifold replacement to prevent future failure. Unfortuneately, the replacement intake manifold failed at the same glued seam that was the basis for the recall by ford.

Filed Nov 18, 1999 · Engine · MI

Radiator began leaking coolant. Car run hot. Previously engine manifold cracked. At that time(october 99), engine ran hot and smoke was coming from under hood. They replaced the manifold and then the radiator malfunctioned. The engine is now running harder and the noise level is higher. I fear that with the car overheating so many times permanent damage may have been done to the engine heads. The car is almost out of warranty and I fear I may get stuck with an engine repair job after the warranty expires.

Filed Mar 1, 1998 · Engine · NJ

Fatigue cracks in the composite intake manifolds may result in an engine coolant leak on 4.6l sohc engines.