1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS, WHEN UPON WAKING AT AROUND 3:50 AM ON SUNDAY MORNING, I SMELLED A STRANGE ODOR EMANATING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE. AS I INVESTIGATED, I SOON FOUND OUT THAT THE SMELL WAS NOT IN THE HOUSE, BUT OUTSIDE, AND THAT'S WHEN I FOUND MY CAR ABLAZE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN CALLED BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT IT WAS, AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. NO POLICE CAME, AND NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE ONLY INFORMATION GIVEN TO ANY OFFICIAL WAS MY NAME, MY CELL NUMBER, THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER, AND POSSIBLY THE VIN. THE 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

IF DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPLASHES WATER ONTO SERPETINE BELT, RESULTING IN TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL/ ALTERNATOR CHARGE, AND AIR CONDITIONING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.*AK

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS FAILED MORE THAN ONCE; THEREFORE, LEAKING A CONSIDERABLE AMOUUNT OF CARBON MONOXIDE WHICH CAUSES PASSENGERS AND DRIVER TO BECOME SLEEPY.*AK

PROBLEM MENTIONED ON VISIT IN DECEMBER 01. MY SON AND I EXPERIENCED CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING ON A TRIP TO CHICAGO 3/15/02. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR VEHICLES IN THE RURAL AREA IN WHICH I LIVE. I FEEL A SERVICE ALERT SHOULD BE SENT FOR SIMILAR AGE MAKE VEHICLES THAT COME IN FOR SERVICE. ESPECIALLY IF THEY MENTION A TICK IN THE ENGINE. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF CRACKED EGR TUBES? NLM

CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVE BELT FAILED. *YH

CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVE BELT FAILED. *YH

I DON'T KNOW THAT IF THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE I NEED TO BE, BUT MY SUV HAS QUITE A BIT OF RUST UNDERNEATH AND IN THE WHEELS, I CAN SCRATCH SOME OFF WITH CHIPPING COMING OFF, I HAVE MET WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FORD REP, THEY SAY I HAVE SURFACE RUST AND IT WON'T RUST THREW THE STEEL, IN MY LIFE TIME, AND I AM UNEASE ABOUT THAT, MY SEAT BELTS HAVE A SMELL TO THEM AND I FEEL LIKE IT HAS HAD SOME WATER DAMAGED TO IT, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT, THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE GASKETS, OIL PAN, CRANKSHAFT REAR SEAL, AND REAR MAIN SEAL, AND IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR A POPING SOUND. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO NEXT TO GET THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS MUCH RUST, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME, AND GIVE ME THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GO NOW. I THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE WILL HESITATE OR STOP MOMENTARILY WHEN VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STARTING TO ACCELERATE. MERCURY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *AK.ET

RADIATOR LEAKS AROUND THE PLASTIC TANK WHICH IS CONNECTED TO CORE OF RADIATOR. PROBLEM HAPPENS ONLY WHEN WEATHER IS COLD. ONCE VEHICLE HAD HEATED IT DID NOT LEAK. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP & INFORMED VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY & NO RECALLS OR BULLETINS ON VEHICLE. *AK *ML

WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK *ML

VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING COMPLETEY FOR UP TO 1 MINUTE AFTER GOING THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER. LOSS OF STEERING AT SPEED IS VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL CLAIM THIS IS FORD-WIDE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN SEVERE ACCIDENTS.

GASKET ON THE MANIFOLD FAILED. YH

THE MANIFOLD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS A BAD LEAK. YH

OIL PAN DRAINPAN FLAWED FROM FACTORY.

ENGINE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING GAS FUMES INTO THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY SHUTS DOWN IN RAINING WEATHER, NOT ABLE TO RECTIFY.