Subject: Intake manifolds for 4.6L V8s
Date: 12/11/2002

I own a 97 Mercury Grand Marquis, on Dec 7 I was on my way
home from the mountains which is about 200 miles from where
i live and the intake manifold cracked, the intake manifold
on the 4.6l cars runs the antifreeze through it. I did some
research and it appears this is a big problem with that
manifold beieg as it is made of PLASTIC. I called ford to
see if there was a recall and they asked for my V.I.N. I gave
it to them and there was no recall even though they had
recalled it in 1996. In 1996 they recalled the plastic
manifold but yet kept using it in 98 an later models. A new
manifold for my car is 305.00$ not including labor. So in
short anyone with a 4.6l engine watch your manifold it cracks
right behind the alternator.By the way the plastic is called
zytel, manufactured by Dupont and the manifold is manufactured
by a company called Montaplast, and they are the only ones who
make the manifold so there are no after market parts. I did some
more research and found out Ford will be using plastic manifolds
for a lot more of their cars.

From: "Ford Division" 
To: "Jerami xxxxx" 
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: Re: 1997 / Mercury / Grand Marquis Vehicle Parts/Accessories
Questions


Dear Jerami,

Thank you for your message of 12/11/02 regarding your 1997 Mercury Grand
Marquis.  We appreciate the time you have taken to write us concerning
the intake manifold.

We regret the circumstances that prompted you to write us.  Ford Motor
Company prides itself on the quality and design of our vehicles.

As previously communicated to you on 12/10/2002, we feel that every
consideration has been given to this matter and was appropriately
addressed in our prior response.  At this time, our decision will not
change.  If any additional information regarding this matter should
become available in the future, please let us know.  This will be our
last written communication to you on this concern; however, if you would
like to discuss this matter any further, please contact us directly at
our Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-392-3673.

We encourage and welcome you to communicate with us again via e-mail
should you have a different issue or inquiry.

We do appreciate the fact that you are a loyal customer, and we
apologize that we have not given you an answer that you are satisfied
with.  We thank you for the opportunity to address your concerns but
unfortunately at this time, there is no change in the previous decision.
We certainly do want to thank you for taking the time to contact us and
letting us know what your concern was.  We do appreciate your feedback,
and hope that you will continue to be a loyal Ford customer.

At Ford Motor Company, we consider the satisfaction of our customers as
one of our most important objectives.  If you have any other inquiries
or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to
address them.

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.

Sincerely,
Corrina
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
The answer I recieved was not a satisfactory answer what are you going
to do
about the problem, i would like reimbursed for the cost of the repair i
have
already taken steps and contacted a lawyer. I believe your company knows
the
firm, as they are in lidigation with Ford in the firestone/explorer
case. I
have also contacted the media about this problem. I am not just going to
drop this matter and go away, there are more documented cases about the
intake manifold, I am sure another smudge on the Ford name will not
bother
you. The reply I recieved from your so called customer relations was as
follows "there is no recall for your V.I.N.". Do relly believe that
anyone
would be satisfied with that response? Well i am not Ford will answer
for
this some how, i will personally make sure you do not just blow people
off
on this matter. You went in the wrong direction with this, your company
had
previous knowledge of the deffective intake manifold and continued to
use it
anyway.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ford Division" 
To: 
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: 1997 / Mercury / Grand Marquis Vehicle Parts/Accessories
Questions


Dear Jerami,

Thank you for your message of 12/10/02 regarding your 1997 Mercury Grand
Marquis.  We appreciate the time you have taken to write us concerning
the intake manifold.

We understand your concern for the safety of yourself and your family.
Ford Motor Company shares this concern and will strive to maintain your
trust in our products.

The circumstances that you have outlined in your original e-mail have
been given careful consideration.

Our records indicate that on 12/10/2002,  you contacted the Customer
Relationship Center (CRC) via phone and our Customer Service
Representative provided an answer to your concern.

If you require further information in regards to this matter, we would
appreciate you letting us know.

Ford's goal is to make your ownership experience an enjoyable one.
Customer satisfaction is our number one goal.

At Ford Motor Company, we consider the satisfaction of our customers as
one of our most important objectives.  If you have any other inquiries
or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to
address them.

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.

Sincerely,
Corrina
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Title: Mr.
First Name: Jerami
(...)
Vehicle Owner: Yes
Telephone Number: xxxx

Model Year: 1997
Brand: Mercury
Model: Grand Marquis
VIN Number: xxxx
Mileage: 68285


Category of Query/Concern: Vehicle Parts/Accessories Questions
Site Escalating From: ford
Description of Issue/Concern: your plastic intake manifold craked why
has it not been recalled when you recalled it for 96 model cars. you
kept using a deffective part even though you knew it was deffective. I
want reimbursed for the cost of the repair since my manifold is being
replaced due to a 4" crack that is right behind the alternator.
Entire Conversation:

I have consulted a products liability lawyer and have contacted the NHSTA,
this matter is not closed. You will not just keep blowing people off on this
I am coming after Ford with a vengence now! I will not stop until this
problem is handled as it should be, when Ford covers the repair. I also know
Montaplast is going to be making alot more intake manifolds for you out of
Zytel aka glass reinforced nylon 66 and you will soon be switching to nylon
6 an even cheaper method of production.when i get this rolling you are going
to have real problems. Quality is job #1 my ass. Made in america use to mean
something now if you want quality you have to buy Japanese.