While traveling in Canada, I noticed white smoke suddenly appear coming from my exhaust. I was about 200 miles from home at the time. I pulled into a service station and later learned that I had a hole in the intake manifold that caused my engine to immediately overheat. I had since, phoned Ford motor and inquired on this problem to see if there is a recall. I had learned of many instances of this same problem on many 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis'. Ford informed me that there are no recalls regarding this.

- Waterford, MI, USA

Vehicle is having a problem with the intake manifold which is made of plastic. It leaks and eventually the vehicle stops running. Owner has been left stranded due to the plastic manifold melting and cracking. Provide further details.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

The consumer noticed a leak coming from underneath vehicle. The consumer let the engine cool because he thought it was the radiator. The added water and continued to drive, then the temperature gauge started to rise. The vehicle was towed to a Mercury dealer. The dealer informed the consumer that the intake manifold had a crack in it. Plastic tubing inside metal casing was cracked according to the service manager. Service manager also suggested that the water pump be replaced.

- West Orange, NJ, USA

Entering the freeway I noticed white smoke behind the car. I watched the temperature. And nursed the car to exit. I discovered a broken intake manifold, the same defect and problem that Ford is fixing for police and taxis. I had to have the new style intake installed with the aluminum water cross over. Now three months later I have a blown head gasket. I think that is also a problem caused when the intake broke, and caused the engine to overheat. Ford has been aware of this problem before 1990, but continued to use defective parts past my model year.

- Howell, MI, USA

The intake manifold melted twice without warning. As a result the vehicle became inoperable. Please provide additional information.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Plastic intake manifold on my 1997 Mercury grand marquee melted on Arizona freeway. By the time I could safely pull over, my car had lost it's coolant and caused the engine to be damaged beyond repair, Mercury knew if this problem but did not notify me. The result was a new engine at a cost of $4871.45 I feel that the Ford motor should have paid for some portion of this repair. I had taken my car in for all the scheduled maintenance at the required intervals and was never made aware of this condition.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Air from air conditioner turned warm; temperature gauge went up to its highest level; pulled off to the side of the road. Got out of car and observed steam as well as leaking antifreeze. Called for tow truck which took car to the nearest auto repair. Technician not available. Car then towed to Ford mecury dealership in bakersfield, ca where the problem was diagnosed as a crack in the manifold. Replaced the manifold at a cost of $1600!!!!

- San Diego, CA, USA

While driving vehicle overheated and stalled. Vehicle was towed to consumer's house. However, consumer restarted the vehicle, and drove it to the dealership. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership they noticed that intake manifold cracked, and need to be repaired. Manufacturer was aware of this problem, but was only paying for the repairs on fleet vehicles.

- Bridgeton, NJ, USA

Plastic intake manifold has a crack in it located in the front part fo manifold, behind the alternator.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis intake manifold failure.

- Sandy Hook, CT, USA

Intake manifold from factory faulty-made of plastic that tends to crack when vehicle gets hot. Mechanic told me that this is a common trait in Ford 4.6 liter engines and their customer service dept. Refuses to acknowledge. This problem is going to cost each customer approximately $750 to fix.

- Taylor, MI, USA

Cracked intake manifold is leaking antifreeze.

- Sterling, VA, USA

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis ls, 81,000 miles; the intake manifold failed unexpectedly with a crack in the plastic coolant crossover. The coolant sprayed all over inside of engine compartment. I understand that Ford recalled these type vehicles from fire, police and other service related agencies. I wonder how many crashes this defect has caused" wonder why Ford doesn't consider its other consumers? we have to pay for this in more ways than one; I.e., money, emotional trauma, lost time from work, etc.! wonder where you find out if there are any class-action lawsuits" going there now!

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

While driving at 50 mph smoke started coming from under the hood. The plastic intake manifold cracked, and water went all over the engine. Dealership installed an aluminum intake manifold.

- Helendale, CA, USA

I guess we were lucky. At 105,260 miles, during the test drive after a major tuneup, the plastic intake on our 1997 Grand Marquis intake manifold cracked. The mechanic was almost at the shop, so no other damage was done except to our pocketbook. Upon looking at the consistency of the manifold failure, and that the plastic manifold, if the vehicle was out of warrenty, has been covered for cars in service, such as police cars, but not for passenger cars, and that Ford Motor Company has known about this defect for some time and, from what I can determine, did not issue any recalls, I'm inclined to believe this is a class action law suit waiting to happen.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

While driving consumer noticed black smoke coming from the engine. Pulled the vehicle over, opened the hood and noticed that the intake manifold failed.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

97 Mercury marquis gs, it has 91K mi on it. The intake manifold failed unexpectedly with a crack in the plastic coolant crossover. The coolant sprayed all over inside of engine compartment. It was the weekend I was on a rural highway in the sticks with my two kids ages 4 & 6 in the car somewhere between boston & the university of nh. Not wanting to become stranded in sub zero degree weather in the middle of no where, I managed to crawl it into the driveway of a local mechanic where it died & would not start, the motor was super hot! the mechanic added coolant managed to get the engine turn over after sitting for the weekend & called to tell me the plastic intake manifold was cracked & that is was not covered under recall by Ford. It cost me over $1200 for the expenses incurred as a result(parts & labor, hotel & rental car expenses). The engine miraculously has been running fine for close to a year now with a newly factory redesigned (aluminum coolant crossover) Ford intake manifold.

- Pelham, NH, USA

Independent shop replaced the intake plastic manifold, coolant went inside engine.

- Woodbury, NJ, USA

Owner said intake manifold cracked.

- Memphis, TN, USA

Vehicle overheated while driving due to a crack in the intake manifold. The consumer was driving the vehicle when she smelled anti-freeze, she pulled over and then the vehicle over heated.

- Cisco, TX, USA