Six problems related to carburetor have been reported for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While in shop for unrelated repair, mechanic noticed the plastic intake manifold was leaking coolant. Please provide additional information. Ts.
Vehicle is equip with a plastic intake manifold. While driving the plastic intake manifold cracked and leak coolant onto the engine. Which could of resulted in vehicle fire. Dealership indicated that this is a common problem. Please provide more details. Mr.
Intake manifold failure with coolant leak to engine compartment. . Car was subject to a Ford service bulletin recall in 1998 for intake manifold replacement to prevent future failure. Unfortuneately, the replacement intake manifold failed at the same glued seam that was the basis for the recall by Ford.
According to holman Ford service technician, the Ford Thunderbird intake manifold will crack at the seam next to engine top, causing a cooling fluid loss.
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway, climbing up a hill and going up a mountain, and without prior notice there was white smoke coming from underneath vehicle. Transmission coolant was leaking from underneath. Vehicle was taken to a gasoline station, and mechanic told him that intake manifold in engine was made from plastic and causing the problem. Intake manifold split open.
1. Plastic intake manifold failure - covered by general recall 97m91, although similar plastic engineering is applied to both valve covers but is not is not covered by recall. The Ford service rep informed me that the heater core will blow soon too. 2. The brakes/rotors have been a chronic problem - this is my 2nd Thunderbird - both cars had the same type problems. I have replaced rotors, brake pads repeatedly without solving the problem. The car has severe front end vibration which is makes the car unenjoyable and dangerous. I have changed tire sizes and brands 4 times. The consumer reports research that I have done on this car causes me to be afraid of it. 3. The cruise control defect was also dangerouts, but it was repaired satisfactory.