Ford 4.6L Plastic Intake Manifold Cracking Issues
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Off Topic
Forum Discription: Anything non-Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35422
Printed Date: January-22-2025 at 11:58am
Topic: Ford 4.6L Plastic Intake Manifold Cracking Issues
Posted By: davidg
Subject: Ford 4.6L Plastic Intake Manifold Cracking Issues
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 7:16pm
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I have a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer w/ a 4.6L V8 in it, and 150K miles on it. The heat mysteriously went out this winter. Also noticed last summer antifreeze puddling under the car in weird places. Finally figured out that the glass reinforced nylon intake manifold is cracked, and leaking. Has anybody replaced one of these in an Explorer or Mountaineer? Ford wants $470 for a replacement part, and I can get a Dorman aftermarket for $230 at AutoZone. I would be interested in hearing any stories on your experience doing this job. Once I get this done, I will have replaced 70% of the parts on the car, and it will be like new  Probably should have traded it off a few years back before I put all the sweat equity into it. I generally like Ford products, especially their classic iron, but, between the infamous plastic panel that cracks on the back, and this plastic intake, I am a bit miffed with old Henry. Plastics.....Ugh!! |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 7:30pm
Dave, Autozone!!! You're in trouble!! Find out who molds the part and go in the back door!  ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
davidg wrote:Posted By: Tim D
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 7:44pm
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Probably made in Mexico. ------------- Tim D |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 8:00pm
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Try Rock Auto - you'll have to wait a couple of days for shipping, but they also sell Dorman replacements. COuld be cheaper than AutoZone too. Good luck... plastic intakes don't sound like a super bright Idea in my mind, is there an aluminum replacement? |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 8:24pm
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Check http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmercury+mountaineer+intake+manifold.TRS0&_nkw=mercury+mountaineer+intake+manifold&_sacat=0" rel="nofollow - ebay too Dave,quite a few different prices. Don't forget you'll need new injector o rings too. Some look to need an alternator bracket and I see on youtube that there is a crossover pipe from the front of the engine to the rear underneath the manifold that can go bad also. I knew there was a reason why I traded the Lincoln ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 8:50pm
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David what is the infamous plastic back panel to which you refer? I'VE got a 2003 v 6 Ranger Edge with 197,000 miles, so far so good although the transmission thunks a bit every now and then. I guess this is a threadjack, but there is an old wives tale that you shouldn't change fluid in a high mileage transmission cause it will stir up all the shavings and crap and create even more problems. Opinions? ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 9:21pm
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that many miles I'd drop the pan and change the filter if you were to do anything at all. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 9:50pm
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Pete....AutoZone rocks! My neighbor works there, and he knows his stuff. He always helps me out. So, I got to throw him some business for the local stuff when I can't order from Rock Auto. But, I do get what you are saying. Where do you buy parts from? Kris....I normally order from Rock Auto. Great prices! But, they didn't have this part, at least that I could find. Dorman 615-175. I was curious as to what their price would have been too. A-Z has it in stock, so, for a few bucks, I will pick it up locally, as I may need to return it as well due to some confusion on intakes which will fit this application. Jeff.....'02-'05ish Explorers, and Mountaineers have a rear panel under the back widow that always splits down the middle. Looks like HELL, and very poor design. Ford redesigned it out in '06 or so. Start looking at the rear of older Explorers and Mountaineers. You will see it. Gary....You sold the Lincoln? What did you do, go with a Caddy for all your towing needs? Also, all the intakes on ebay are the Dorman part I mentioned above. Prices all over the place for the same part. I will go local on this in case I need to return it. Ford is VERY proud of their part getting 2X times what most charge for the Dorman.
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Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 10:22pm
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Yea Dave I replaced it with this 2010. We drove the Lincoln for awhile but found out fast it would not make it up the drive.No heated seats since it spent all it's winters in Florida,it just didn't work for us.Back of my mind was the manifold issues and the air shocks were typically leaking. The Chevy is working out great for us,gets 18-19 mpg on the road 10/11 towing,if needed I can get a 8' sheet of plywood in it or carry 5 people and still fit it in the garage.  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 10:34pm
So this is what retirement does? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 10:38pm
Sweet looking truck Gary! I can tell you are becoming a true blue Floridian....White ride 
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Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 11:07pm
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David now that you mention it I see that crack in the rear all the time. There wasn't a recall? ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-16-2015 at 11:21pm
Age and blood thinners Pete You havne't lived then until you drive a car with a heated steering wheel which the Mrs has on hers.Yes Dave it was one of those things where I wasnt really looking for one but Ray Chevy in Fox Lake had it. Color I wanted inside and out,everything but a rear DVD,36K and 2 years left on the warranty. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 12:39am
Jeff....There was some sort of "service bulletin", or some such B^&& S&t along the way. I was too late to have them do anything for me. There was also some sort of class action suit on the manifold situation. I called the corporate Ford "Customer Care" line today to ask them about both. While the lady had me on the phone, she asked if she could tell me about my local dealers "Quick Lane" service specials? I told her sure, but, I wouldn't be able to take advantage of it....BECAUSE THE DAMN CAR WON'T RUN, AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FLIPPIN' OIL CHANGED!!!!  After she told me about the specials, she also told me she didn't see any kind of bulletins for either issue. As much as I want to buy another Ford, it's crap like this that is pushing me to buy Japanese. |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 1:14am
What a difference a thread makes. ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 1:17am
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Yea Dave he's all right with it when he's selling but when it comes to buy ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 1:19am
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My 2002 explorer had the same panel problem on the back, was out of warranty by the time I took ownership. But...if the rear widow shatters the panel is part of the insurance replacement . I recommend summer weather if you are going to have an incident. It was a drag at 20 below a year ago January. ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 2:01am
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Very good Dave! I see you have not lost your touch. Was wondering if anybody would catch my purposeful hypocrisy. Plastics are great! It is amazing how they are used, but, like anything, if they are not designed or engineered correctly, there are going to be issues. |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 9:31am
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Yikes Dave, 2003 and 150,000 miles I think you sort of missed your window of opportunity to bitch out the girl who answers the phone at Ford.
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 9:46am
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http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/185" rel="nofollow - Explanation of manifold problems. It also warns about aftermarket problems. Dave, maybe you should think again about getting that manifold from Autozone? Next time you talk to Ford, we'll hook you up with 79 to act as a mediator! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 10:12am
Alan....You can't blame a guy for trying! I didn't really bitch her out. I just wasn't my usual warm, lovable self with her. I didn't go 79 on her.I did find it a bit ironic that she was pushing the Quick Lane service while my car is down. A bit irritating! |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 10:52am
Time to cut your losses Rt 14 in woodstock will give you an easy 400 You abandoned a beloved Southwind with a lesser problem to its fate  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 11:08am
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I saw a dark green Mountaineer with a tan tailgate panel this morning. ------------- |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 12:34pm
Correction: I sadly gave it up to a warm, loving home that could give it the attention and care I was no longer able to. |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 12:36pm
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It's a parts boat rotting away in the back corner of the lot. ------------- |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 1:30pm
| Well, as long as it helped another Correct Craft to fight another day, that is the important thing. It was a noble and mighty warrior. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-17-2015 at 2:45pm
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My only point being is if you decide to fix it and then get rid of it you might not get your money out. They didn't even want the Lincoln, it was almost perfect with 85k everything on it was working. I figure someone there wanted it because they later came and offered me 2500 which I took. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: February-19-2015 at 12:52am
| Gary....I have put many new parts on this thing, I don't want to have my sweat equity go for naught. I have put new bearing hubs on, new brakes, new rotors, new rear springs, new coil pack, new front end suspension parts, and new tires. Just one more big hunk of plastic, and it is good to go. Plus, it is just a part time car for my daughter who is in college. So, I will throw a new manifold on and see how it goes. I would like to get another year or three out of it. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: February-19-2015 at 9:09pm
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I hear you. If your going to spend 230 at the zone for that Dorman why not get a hold of these guys and see if http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-4-6L-EFI-1999-04-Mustang-Qualifier-Intake-Manifold-Polished-/181502245971?fits=Model%3AMustang%7CSubmodel%3AGT#vi-ilComp" rel="nofollow - this will work? Still cheaper than oem. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |