Intake manifold

[Socomnick]

Hello im new to this forum, I seem to have a problem this morning I noticed a large amount of Coolant fluid in the floor. Me being 16 and not knowning much about cars asked my next door neighboor him being a mechanic. He told me the intake manifold on my 1997 mercury grand marquis was cracked and that it was plastic. Does anyone here know if Ford or mercury will repair my vehicle for their faulty manifold or if there are any non plastic intake manifolds for my car like alluminum.

[6502dude]

For coolant leakage, look at condition of hoses, radiator, area under water pump as possible source of liquid on floor.

If coolant is on floor in car - heater core needs replacement.

Put cardboard under care over night to help to track source. This may help to locate specific area providing drips do not flow along suspension.

Not sure about water jacket presence thru intake manifold.

[Socomnick]

Thanks I called some of the local parts stores and bought a intake manifold with the alluminum crossover for 300 dollars and called a mechanic and said labor will be 200 so ill have the manifold in the car for 500 thats much less than the ford dealer told me they would install it for they asked for 10305 dollars.

[incucrash]

I don't see how that's an intake problem, coolant on the floor is a rotted out heater core, it's a pain to install, but I did it on mine, i'm 21 now but did it when I was 19.

Complete front dash needs to be loosened/apart, buy the book for the car, it'll explain it all....

Older Marquis got alot of coolant problems, but the engines are bulletproof

[6502dude]

Originally Posted by incucrash

I don't see how that's an intake problem, coolant on the floor is a rotted out heater core, it's a pain to install, but I did it on mine, i'm 21 now but did it when I was 19.

Complete front dash needs to be loosened/apart, buy the book for the car, it'll explain it all....

Older Marquis got alot of coolant problems, but the engines are bulletproof

Orginal post indicated that coolant was "in" the floor. It must be very porous :-0

Sounds like Socmnick has a handle on the fix needed for coolant leak. In 1996 Ford switched to plastic intake manifold.

On heater core replacement, I agree this job is a huge PITA. Dealers often want 6+ hours labour for job.

BTW, most instruction manuals on procedure state that 3 nuts are to be removed below wiper moter. Only one needs to be removed (it secures left end of plenium). It is 5/16" and unless one has itty-bitty hands, you will scrape knuckles removing it.

[Socomnick]

Now that I took the car to the mechanic. The car ran real rough so I took it back to mechanic and they ran a diagnosis and he said that Fuel injector #1 and #4 had missfires He also said something about p1270 Something about the Engine Rpm | Speed Limiter Reached.

[leftturn43]

Ford is making good on these 4.6 cracked manifolds in an attempt to ward off a class action suit. So save all your parts and receipts.

Join my yahoo support group, do a group search under Cracked Mercs. If you can't find it, email me directly.

Rob

[email protected]

[Averagejo]

I had to change the intake manifold on my '97. It cost $250 for the manifold and took 4 hours to replace. The ford dealership wanted $850 to do it. It only required a couple of special tools and wasn't too difficult. (I would do it for $600 profit ALL DAY EVERY DAY!) Anyway, mine was leaking about 3 oz. a day from the rear. (inlet that goes to heater core) I read on the web about a lot of people that have had problems with the manifold, but my car is 10years old and has almost 100K, so I'm not too upset.

[HEMIDAZE]

leftturn43, actually ford agreed to fix the manifolds as a result of a class action law suit. I don't remember the exact settlement but the warranty on the manifold was extended to 7 years. (Mine was out by a couple of months) Then it was only covered if you had it fixed at the dealer. As a side note, the fleet vehicles were already covered prior to the suit (police, taxis, etc).

As far as a coolant leak on the floor it is most likely the heater core and not the manifold. Take it back if you can.

[sheebeehuh]

All you ever wanted to know about the intake manifold problem and how to fix it...

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