1997 FORD MUSTANG Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE ANY VEHICLES OVER TEN YEARS OF AGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 1997 FORD MUSTANG. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. AT FIRST, WHEN STARTING MY CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER YET THE CAR WOULD IMMEDIATELY DIE. AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS, THE CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY START AND STAY STARTED. NOW, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY CAR, THE ENGINE TURNS OVER YET THE CAR DIES IMMEDIATELY. IN MOST CASES, THE CAR DOES NOT START UNTIL IT HAS BEEN SERVICED. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 3 SERVICE PROVIDERS (INCLUDING FORD), WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND/OR FIX THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, FORD REPLACED MY AIR FLOW VALVE AND SENSOR AND JUST AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP AND DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I WENT INTO A STORE JUST TO COME OUT AND FIND THAT MY CAR WON'T START. ONCE STARTED THE CAR ALWAYS CONTINUES TO RUN WITH NO PROBLEM. PLEASE PLEASE HELP! *TR

Mileage: 82,100

EXCESSIVE RATTLING..ROUGH IDLE..WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING..A SLIGHT "HUMMING" CAN BE HEARD OVER THE DUAL EXHAUST..NOTHING MAJOR HAS HAPPENED AS OF YET.*AK

Mileage: 105,600

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOWOUT. *AK

THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. *AK

CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. HE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH THE RETRO FIT MANIFOLD WHICH WAS ALUMINUM AND PLASTIC. CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL ON THE INTERNET DEALING WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. CONSUMER SPENT OVER $600.00 FOR REPAIRS. DID NOT THINK THIS WAS FAIR SINCE FORD KNEW THE PROBLEM.*AK

HEAD GASKETS BLOWN CAUSING THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE TO SWELL AND RUB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR CLUTCH. THE HOLE IN THE HOSE CAUSED ALL THE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT AND CAUSING A MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN ON THREE OF THE SIX CYLINDERS. THE ENGINE IS A 3.8L V6 IN A 1997 MUSTANG.*AK

Mileage: 112,750

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED OVER HEATING. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED BY A MECHANINC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND LEAKED WATER INTO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. TS

THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CAB OF VEHICLE STATES' CONSUMER. CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE. PROBLEM WITH SMELL STILL EXIST. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TS

ENGINE IS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID, CAUSED BY A CRACK, HEATER IS TAKING LONGER TO GET WARM. DEALER STATED THAT OIL MAY CAUSE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIIAN AT DEALER. *AK. CONSUMER STATED RADIATOR FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER, WHICH IS ALSO CAUSING LOSS OF HEAT.*JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED. CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW COOLING FAN BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE. THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THE BEARINGS HAD SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE. THERE IS A RECALL ON SAID PART BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. *JG

TIMING COVER GASKET LEAKING MAY LEAD TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.. *AK

SUBJECT: 1997 FORD MUSTANG GT, VEHICLE ID [XXX]. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH NEVER HONORED BY THE DEALER. FORD REPLACED (FIRED) THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THIS DEALERSHIP FOR DISHONEST PRACTICES. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 5/97 WITH 13001 MILES ON IT WE PICKED UP THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AT TIME OF PURCHASE AS PER STATEMENT OF GENERAL MANAGER AT THE TIME. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

WITH 60,000 MILES ON VEHICLE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMERS EXPENSE BY DEALERSHIP. THEN 4,000 MILES LATER, TIMING GASKET BLEWOUT WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER SERVICE PROGRAM. THEN, WITH 68,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, IT STARTED VIBRATING WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AND REVVED TO OVER 6000 RPM. CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD WHERE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF COMPLETE FAILURE. *AK AIR CONDITIONER WOULD LOSE POWER AFTER 45 MINUTES OF OPERATION, DEALER STATED AN ACCUMULATER AND ORIFICE TUBE WAS NEEDED. THE CONNECTOR TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS CRACKED ALMOST IN HALF CAUSING THE CABLE TO DISENGAGE FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. *SLC

ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. PEOPLE WITH 97 MUSTANGS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THERE HEAD GASKETS CRACKING AND ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON DUE TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. MINE ONLY HAS 44,900 MILES! DO SOMETHING. *AK

FRONT TIMING GASKET FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT FROM 3.8L V6 ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

ANTIFREEZE DRIPS OUT FROM DEFECTIVE TIMING COVER, AND STARTS CAUSING A BURNING SMELL, AND SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. CONSUMER FEELS FUMES ARE DANGEROUS. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

RECALL IS FOR MUSTANGS MADE PRIOR TO DEC. 31, 1996 ALTHOUGH LATER MORE RECENT MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS, TIMING GASKET CAP, AND ENGINE ITSELF ALL FAILED ON A 1997 FORD MUSTANG LX COUPE

1. SPARK PLUG WIRE CLAMPS NOT STAYING CONNECTED TO SPARK PLUGS CAUSING ARCING AND DAMAGE TO 5 SPARK PLUG WIRES. 2. RUPTURE OF COOLANT CROSSOVER TUBE ON FRONT OF INTAKE MANIFOLD RESULTED IN ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF COOLANT ON ABOUT A ONE BLOCK LENGTH OF ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. RECALL 97M91 HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED (FEB. 1999) WITH NO DAMAGE FOUND. FAILURE OCCURRED IN DEC. 1999.

VEHICLE BROKE DOWN FROM ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER FOUND OUT THROUGH THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99B29. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TIMING GASKET COVER. *AK

VEHICLE BROKE DOWN FROM ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER FOUND OUT THROUGH THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99B29. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TIMING GASKET COVER. *AK

TIMING COVER IS ALSO LEAKING AND SAW ON THE INTERNET THAT THAT CAN ALSO CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE. *AK

THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO THE FAULTY TIMING VALVE GASKET. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A COOLANT LEAK. NLM

THE HEATER FAILED VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED THE ALUMINUM HEAD.*ET

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE CAR, AND THE ENGINE KEEPS MISSING, CONSUMER TOOK IT TO FORD 5 TIMES AND PRIVATE MECHANIC 6 TIMES, NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.*ET

NO SUMMARY

SUSPENSION PULLS TO THE LEFT. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR GRINDS. ENGINE LOSES POWER WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON. BRAKES PADS ON LEFT SIDE METAL TO METAL. SECOND BRAKE JOB. ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXISTAS.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS SOME KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE AND VEHICLE IS STALLING. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CONSUMER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

@ 7000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WENT OUT & HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 14000 MILES FRONT END MISALIGNED, NEEDED 2 NEW FRONT TIRES & ALIGNMENT, @ 21000 MILES DRIVERS WINDOW QUIT, @ 21797 BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING NEEDED REPLACEMENT PADS,@ 21000 MILES ENGINE STARTED SPARK KNOCKING & CONTINUES TO DATE. 5 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT NOT CORRECTED.@27,462 MILES DEALER DECARBONED ENGINE & AGAIN 300 MILES LATER. STILL SPARK KNOCKING. BEGINING LEMON LAW PROCESSES 3/28/99. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSING A/C TO SHUT OFF. NLM

ENGINE FAN FAILED CAUSING STEAM TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NLM

CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING HOT WITH ANIT-FREEZE IN ENGINE. CAR FINALLY OVER HEATED AND WAS TAKEN TO "BP GAS STATION, 4499 ROSWELL RD., ATLANTA GA 30342, 404/255-5341 OR 404/252-8204 CHUCK ALLEN MANAGER " MR. ALLEN 1ST SAID TIMING GASKET FAILED & WOULD COST $200 TO FIX. THEN WHEN HE REMOVED TIMING COVER FOUND A MAJOR CRACK IN IT NEXT TO A BOLT HOLE, "STRESS POINT" & THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $500 TO FIX NOW. ALSO STATED THAT THIS FAIRLY NEW CAR WITH LOW MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY A DEFECT FROM MANFACTURER. CAR HAD BEEN TO "BANNER FORD, 1665 SCOTT BLVD, DECATUR GA 30033, 404/633-4005, STEPHEN C. WATSON, SR." ON 08/18/98 WITH 34,143 MILES "CAR STILL UNDER A 3Y/36M WARRANTY" FOR RUNNING HOT & STALLING IN TRAFFIC. THEY REPLACED FULE GAGE TANK UNIT, BUT SHOULD HAVE NOTICED OIL & ANTI-FREEZ DRIPPING DID NOTHING. 10/24/98 CAR BACK TO BANNER 36,440 MILES "440 MILES OVER WARRANTY" - THEY GAVE AN OIL CHANGE & TOP OFF FLUIDS AGAIN THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS DRIPPING OIL & ANTI-FREEZE HAS NOT BEEN EITHER NOTICED OR JUST NOT MENTIONED & REPORTED. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE FINALLY GIVES OUT AND THE CARS IS "2,100 MILES" OVER WARRANTY & THE DEALERSHIP, TIDWELL, WHERE PURCHASED "SVC MANAGER" SAYS I'M OUT OF LUCK AND WITH AN ATTITUDE! COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE OR ADVISE ME, SINCERELY,.......SHELBY PEASE

VEHICLE OVERHEATS DAILY.

ENGINE PINGS UNDER LOAD AND/OR ACCELERATION BETWEEN ROUGHLY 3,500 AND 4,700 RPMS.