1997 Grand Marquis

[Dkent2]

Hey

I just got a 97 marquis as my second car it has 125K on it. I am just looking for some info on the car as far as TSB's or any thing that could be a common issue with a 97 Marquis.

Also I am looking for some minor performance upgrades, are there any aftermarket intakes or exhaust systems out for car? I have been searching on the web but I have not found any so far.

One more thing, as long as I get the oil changed as suggested and keep up with normal maintenance is there a good chance the car will last to 200K?

Thanks
Doug

[Dkent2]

I still cant find any info on custom exhausts? I want to get an aftermarket system like a flowmaster or borla, is there any thing like this available

[fredjacksonsan]

Searching this forum is a reasonable place to start to see problems. With normal maintenance, I think almost ANY vehicle should last over 200K. You may have transmission issues around 140K, so I'd keep on top of trans maintenance. For the exhaust I'd check to see if there is stuff for Ford Crown Victorias, which are pretty much the same mechanically as the MGM.

[fredjacksonsan]

I know that you can get a factory-style dual exhaust set up from most auto parts stores.

[limodrivr]

Grand Marquis is pretty fine car.
I bought a 1997 GS (now 99,600 mi), leased a 1999 LS (Leather, CD),
and drove for a limo company that was mainly Grand Marquis's.

Tendencies that I noted, based on notes painted on engine blocks by the mechanics and on my experience at the limo company:

Transmission replace around 160,000.
Engine/transmission replace 195,000 to 225,000
Upper Ball joints around 300,000 - up
My own experience: A/C failure 225,000 miles
Check engine light (maf/map sensor) - common annoyance, can
result in pinging going uphill or high speed.
A starter around 200,000 mi.


On my own 1997 (going on 100,000 mi):

Replaced intake manifold around 80,000 mi, a $500.00 expense at my
local mechanic.
Snow gets in the brakes, causing the dash light, then Mercury dealrer puts it on the computer for $75 bucks, then the problems goes away on its own.
Current problem withthe 97:
Check engine light comes on, later blinks, mechanic fixed a 'wire' (spak plug?) but it came back.
In the middle of that ('check engine' temporarily not a problem), the trans started getting flaky in overdrive between 45 and 55 m.p.h. It seemed if I would accelerate very gently in that range I could avoid the 'kickiness' in the overdrive.
Also, turning off the overdrive would stop the problem, too.


Hal

[dzus]

Crownvic.net is a VERY GOOD site for surfing info on grand marquis/crown vics.

[networkman]

Originally Posted by limodrivr

In the middle of that ('check engine' temporarily not a problem), the trans started getting flaky in overdrive between 45 and 55 m.p.h. It seemed if I would accelerate very gently in that range I could avoid the 'kickiness' in the overdrive.
Also, turning off the overdrive would stop the problem, too.


Hal

I had the same problem with mine (98 GM, had about 90k at the time). It turned out to be the torque converter. Which unfortunately is a bit expensive from 500-800 bucks but it fixes the issue and gets the mechanics a chance to check out the tranny. I love my GrMarquis, what a great car! Easy to fix, and maintain, so few problems.

[limodrivr]

Originally Posted by networkman

I had the same problem with mine (98 GM, had about 90k at the time). It turned out to be the torque converter. Which unfortunately is a bit expensive from 500-800 bucks but it fixes the issue and gets the mechanics a chance to check out the tranny. I love my GrMarquis, what a great car! Easy to fix, and maintain, so few problems.

Well, I took it back to mechanic and he replaced spark plug wires
$128 parts + 70 labor.
Seems high for new wires, probably he got them froma Ford dealer.

The car is runniing fine now.
Hal in NJ

[rjd46]

Originally Posted by Dkent2

Hey

I just got a 97 marquis as my second car it has 125K on it. I am just looking for some info on the car as far as TSB's or any thing that could be a common issue with a 97 Marquis.

Also I am looking for some minor performance upgrades, are there any aftermarket intakes or exhaust systems out for car? I have been searching on the web but I have not found any so far.

One more thing, as long as I get the oil changed as suggested and keep up with normal maintenance is there a good chance the car will last to 200K?

Thanks
Doug

Hi Doug,I,ve had a 97 grand-marq-V-8-performance -handling option for 4 years. Has 175000 miles on it. I drive about 165 miles round trip to work. No major headaches so far. Oil,filter grease about every 3500 miles. I had one transmission issue-the shift into high gear began to chatter a little. Found a factory memo about this on the web. It basically said to change trans-fluid and filters. All was fine after that. I watched my dad ( tool & die maker guy ) put 150 / 250,000 miles on all makes of cars over the years. Regular oil / filter & gas filter changes plus lube jobs kept him going with no major mechanical issues. We have a 88 jeep with 226,000 miles on it still going strong. Doing the routine maintenance does pay off in the long run. Good luck, Jack

[mollyzoe]

Originally Posted by rjd46

Hi Doug,I,ve had a 97 grand-marq-V-8-performance -handling option for 4 years. Has 175000 miles on it. I drive about 165 miles round trip to work. No major headaches so far. Oil,filter grease about every 3500 miles. I had one transmission issue-the shift into high gear began to chatter a little. Found a factory memo about this on the web. It basically said to change trans-fluid and filters. All was fine after that. I watched my dad ( tool & die maker guy ) put 150 / 250,000 miles on all makes of cars over the years. Regular oil / filter & gas filter changes plus lube jobs kept him going with no major mechanical issues. We have a 88 jeep with 226,000 miles on it still going strong. Doing the routine maintenance does pay off in the long run. Good luck, Jack

Hi Jack: I have a 96 GM I just bought. The trans is doing the chatter thing to me too. What type of trans fluid should I use and did it realy fix your problem ? Thanks Dan in NJ.

[mollyzoe]

Originally Posted by mollyzoe

Hi Jack: I have a 96 GM I just bought. The trans is doing the chatter thing to me too. What type of trans fluid should I use and did it realy fix your problem ? Thanks Dan in NJ.

I forgot to tell you I do not have the owners manual thats why the simple question, sorry Dan. If anyone has a spare please let me know, Thanks again; Dan in S Jersey.

[way2old]

Visit this site and enter the information on your vehicle. It is free also.

[bobss396]

My wife drives a '97 GS model with 102k on the clock. Aside from the all plastic intake manifold erupting like Vesuvius, the car has had little problems over the past 5 years. The manifold was covered by Ford, so that was good.

Little things have broken on the interior, like the ash tray assembly, couple of door latches, AC control knob.

The car is very comfy on road trips, has a huge trunk, not bad on gas and happens to be very fast.

Bob

[sheebeehuh]

I have a '97 GM w/ 106K miles and it's been a good car thus far. It has had some problems and needed some expected maintenance.

Intake manifold blew right at 100K miles. I replaced it myself with an upgraded unit for about $200.

I've also put on new upper ball joints, shocks, and tie rods ends as well as re-doing the front brakes; all standard stuff for a car with over 100K miles.

There is some good info at the links below if you are a do-it-yourselfer...

Intake Manifold...
http://www.autoclinix.com/Manifold.htm

Front Brakes...
http://www.autoclinix.com/Mercury/Brakes.html

Tie Rods...
http://www.autoclinix.com/Mercury/TieRods.html

Upper Ball Joints...
http://www.autoclinix.com/Mercury/BallJoints.html

If your car still has the original, all-plastic intake manifold then be prepared to replace it at some point. I would recommend doing it preventatively rather than waiting to be stranded on the side of the road somewhere. You can do it yourself in about 4 hours and for under $200. Just my 2 cents.