Coolant leaks
 

99 GT owner here... Yesterday I noticed my engine was steaming (usually not a very good sign) and after a rush home and glancing over the engine I found that coolant was dripping from what seemed to be the intake manifold onto the engine block, and evaporating to cause the steam... Trying to find where this came from, i am relatively sure that it is a crack just behind the thermostat... but I'm not positive coolant even flows there. Could this be anything else or am I going to have to replace my intake manifold? Anyone know of the best way to check?

Re: Coolant leaks
 

You are probably not going to get it fixed until you replace the intake manifold. I have a 97 and a 98, have had to replace both. The thing is made of plastic, and the front runner carries water across the engine from one head to the other. The Ford replacement NOW has a metal runner on the front, aluminum I think, so when you replace it you are done. When I did my first one, the replacement was another all plastic intake, so I fully expect to get to do it all again some day.

Re: Coolant leaks
 

Ford knows they have a problem there, it happens VERY frequently. Order a new intake "kit" from Ford, usually about $500 or so, but you get EVERYTHING you need in the kit, new thermostat housing, intake manifold, engine cover, all kinds of goodies in the kit.

Re: Coolant leaks
 

In my opinion,
The "fixed" 99+ PI manifold isn't much better than the known crapbucket 96-98 piece...

Yes, it does hold up better, but I've still seen them go belly up more than once...

If you think you may go forced induction someday... and if you have the cash, I would seriously look at the Bullitt intake setup...

Re: Coolant leaks
 

Hello, I have the same problem with my '97 Cougar, doing some research I found this intake replacement for $217.56, the manufacturer is DORMAN, PN is 615-178, www.autopartsgiant.com.

Does any body has any input on this? Good, Bad?

I don't expect power gains or something like that, I just want to fix the coolant leak.

Thank's in advance.

Re: Coolant leaks
 

Check with Ford, I think my last one was $225 and it was a genuine Ford part. Probably made by DORMAN, lol.

Re: Coolant leaks
 

5_0SMURF,

Here's a link to the part at Sean Hyland Motorsports...
http://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/...oducts_id=1057

As long as you don't go forced induction, you should be OK with this...

(I am ASSUMING it will work with your Cougar... I would verify that fact before purchase...)

Re: Coolant leaks
 

I have had the same problem on my 97 and it is a free fix from ford. It is free because it is a recall from ford. Just waanted to let you know. BML

Re: Coolant leaks
 

Thank's a lot guys, I'll call the company to be sure it will fit the Cougar before buying a wrong part.

Thank's.

Re: Coolant leaks
 

The recall affects 96-97 SOHC 4.6L Mustangs...

Cougars may or may not be included...

A side note:
98 4.6L Mustangs are not included in the recall although the part is the same... I found out the hard way when my 98's intake blew...
go figure...

Re: Coolant leaks
 

If you b*tch long and hard enough...Ford will replace it. My 99 Crown Vic exploded and it was like pulling teeth but Ford replaced it.

It's funny how Ford tries to hide defects, it took my friend 1 year to get Ford/Mercury to finally admit that his 2000 Cougar was 1 of many lemons (the 2000 Cougar has a known fuel pump/line related defect).

It wouldn't hurt to try talking to Ford direct...