1997 Mercury Cougar: engine overheating

Filed May 22, 2006 · Engine · 77,400 miles · LA

I have a 1997 cougar xr7 with a 4.6 liter v8. Around july 1, 2001, the intake manifold on the car cracked causing it to overheat. I had the car fixed, not knowing there was a recall on these intake manifolds. In march of 2004, I found the recall letter sent to me by lincoln mercury. I contacted the service manager, tim coats, at what was then ruston ford (I knew him as he did most of my vehicle's warranty work when he was at the lincoln mercury dealership in monroe, la.). I told him about the letter and I still had all my receipts. He sent everything in to lincoln mercury and I was reimbursed. The recall was good for 7 years, unlimited mileage beginning in february 1998. Last february, I was told my car was leaking antifreeze. As it was repeatedly pressure tested, and did not loose pressure, we could not find the source. Finally, in june of last year, that intake manifold cracked. Both intakes that cracked lasted approximately 70,000 miles and/or 4 years. I contacted the lincoln mercury dealer in minden where I got the part and was told that the warranty had expired and there was nothing lincoln mercury would do. I have since called lincoln mercury customer service 3 times and they have told me there is no current recall on the car and due to the mileage, there is nothing they will do. So, I replaced this intake with one from o'reilly auto parts. I have know found out this one is cracked and leaking. O'reilly will warranty the part, but I have to submit the bill for labor with the defective part and hope they will reimburse. Each time this happens, the labor runs around $250 - $300. Then, it has to have new plugs and wires as they get wet. All I know is there is a serious problem. This will be the fourth intake manifold in 9 years, the car has 175,000 miles on it and I have to keep it until the first of next year. I no longer feel safe as you never know when the intake is going to crack. The VIN # is [xxx]. Nm

Filed Mar 23, 2006 · Engine · 107,710 miles · FL

1 .heavy loss of coolant,spraying all over engine area continuously and would not maintain proper levels. 2. Car overheating and risk of burning up the engine. 3. Replaced "plastic" manifold,coolant,thermostat and gasket. This manifold was a class action lawsuit against ford motor company that I contacted after the incident and was told my VIN did not fall into the category. I now looked it up and it certainly does. The outcome of the lawsuit had dates involved and my incident happened seven months after the judges decision of seven years after the warranty. After calling ford and speaking with 3 "customer service" people their script was the legal decision and they (ford) was not going to do a thing for me. How many people are out there that had this happen and have no idea of this "plastic manifold" that should have never been in the car and paid good money for something that ford caused and now will not stand by their product.

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Engine · FL

The intake manifold cracked, causing the coolant to leak out. Could cause the engine to overheat. Consumer will contact the manufacturer.

Filed Sep 21, 2004 · Engine · 138,434 miles · FL

The manifold cracked in the same location, overheating the car for the second time. *bf the intake manifold was made of plastic and was recalled. The new manifold was also made of plastic and over time it also failed. The consumer feels the dealer should have installed the new re-designed two piece, half plastic half metal manifold.

Filed Aug 31, 2004 · Engine · 138,434 miles · FL

Problems with plastic intake manifold.*mr the manifold which was replaced under recall cracked in the same location as the previous faulty manifold which caused the vehicle to overheat.

Filed Jul 21, 2004 · Engine · 143,000 miles · GA

The plastic intake manifold on my 1997 mercury cougar failed on 7/13/2004. The coolant leaked into the spark plug socket and grounded the number 2 spark plug, leaked coolant over engine. Left my wife stranded with undriveable car. Subsequent examination of the engine by an ase mechanic revealed a fatigue crack in the intake manifold near the cross-over tube. This is clearly a design flaw. It will cost over $900 to remove and replace the faulty intake manifold. The old part will be available after repairs are affected.

Filed Jun 20, 2002 · Brakes · SC

Front hydraulic disc rotors are 1/2 inch bigger that rear rotors which causes rotors to warp. Brakes overheat, steering starts shaking, and front end will nose dive if vehicle brakes too hard, causing wheels to lock up. Dealer notified. Please provide more information.