The following information was obtained because I had this problem with my Crown Vic (same engine, 4.6L).

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March, 1999

To:
All Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers

Subjects:
Owner Notification Program 97M91 Supplement #2 -- Certain 1996-1998 Crown Victoria Taxi, Town Car Limo Prep & Livery Package, 1996-1997 Thunderbird, Cougar and Mustang Vehicles Equipped With 4.6L SOHC Engines - Intake Manifold Additional Coverage.

REFERENCE
Owner Notification Program 97M91, Dated January, 1998
Owner Notification Program 97M91-S1, Dated May, 1998

OASIS
- YES

OWNER LIST
- YES

PARTS RETURN
Yes, Return Removed Intake Manifold Assembly

PROGRAM TERMS
- 7 Years from Warranty Start Date, Regardless of Mileage

AFFECTED VEHICLES
Certain 1996, 1997, and 1998 Crown Victoria Taxi vehicles with 4.6L SOHC engines built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant from August 8, 1995 through November 22, 1997.

Certain 1996, 1997 and 1998 Town Car Limo Prep and Livery Package vehicles with 4.6L SOHC engines built at the Wixom Assembly Plant from Job #1, 1996 through November 22, 1997.

Certain 1996 and 1997 Thunderbird and Cougar vehicles with 4.6L SOHC engines built at the Lorain Assembly Plant from July 31, 1995 through June 24, 1997.

Certain 1996 and 1997 Mustang vehicles with 4.6L SOHC engines built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant from August 1, 1995 through June 24, 1997.

REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM
Fatigue cracks may develop in some of the composite intake manifolds used on the 4.6L SOHC engines installed in the affected cars. This condition may result in engine coolant leakage which, if not detected or ignored, will cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure.

SERVICE ACTION
Owners of the affected cars are notified that additional coverage for this specific condition is being provided for 7 years from the vehicles warranty start date (no mileage limitation) and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.

REFUNDS
Ford will refund for owner-paid repairs directly caused by this condition which were made before the date of the Owner Letter (or after the date of the Owner Letter if an emergency repair was made away from the servicing dealer)

QUESTIONS?
Claims Information 1-800-423-8851
Other Recall Information 1-800-325-5621
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Even though my Crown Vic had this exact problem, it wasn't covered by this extended warranty because it wasn't built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant. I thought this really sucked, but I didn't expect the dealership to eat the cost of the repair just because it was built at the wrong plant.

I ended up changing out the intake myself, after buying a new one.

Anyway, here's the info, verbatim, from the letter my dealership gave me advising of the Owner Notification.

Hope it helps!

Stewart

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If you go fishing, bring a fishnet you might catch a hummingbird

1990 Platinum GT (my poor baby's sheet metal has been violated!)
- Some mods, but not enough!
1996 Blue Crown Vic
- Suspension and exhaust mods, but nothing else...YET!
M&M Member #437
Blue Oval Believer, thru and true.