It is a silent recall, they wont fix anything till it actually breaks. I think it is good for seven years but I could be wrong. Yes your 98 is in that class.
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'97 GT with 80mm C&L MAF, C<rue-Flow CAI, MAC 70mm TB, Superchip, 180 thermo, B&M Ripper, King Cobra Clutch, FRPP aluminum quad/adj cable, MAC O/R H pipe, MIL's, Flows, Granatelli Solid control arms, FRPP 4.10's, FRPP aluminum driveshaft, Fidanza aluminum flywheel, FRPP 9mm wires, TMD aluminum U/D pulleys, Steeda full length SFC's (welded in), and 17" polished aluminum Cobra wheels with Nitto 555 Extremes, Kenwood/Alpine sound. Waiting for install: PI intake.
It wasn't necessarily a recall. As Twokings said they won't fix it unless it breaks. However, the recall only covered the 96 and early 97's. In late 97 the problem was supposed to be fixed, so the later 97's and 98's are SOL (unless you can find a cool dealership that will do it anyways).
How does your coolant level look? Can you smell burnt coolant at all when or after you're driving? Are you noticing any leaks anywhere? Check your plugs and see if they have any coolant on them.
The recall is to replace the intake due to cracks forming in the coolant passages, mainly in the front close to the altenator. Please see http://www.alldata.com/TSB/19/001949C9.html for the TSB number.
Originally posted by ajcolv It wasn't necessarily a recall. As Twokings said they won't fix it unless it breaks. However, the recall only covered the 96 and early 97's. In late 97 the problem was supposed to be fixed, so the later 97's and 98's are SOL (unless you can find a cool dealership that will do it anyways).
How does your coolant level look? Can you smell burnt coolant at all when or after you're driving? Are you noticing any leaks anywhere? Check your plugs and see if they have any coolant on them.
Wow I learn something everyday. I was under the impression it covered all the 97's and 98's...hmmm...I have given bad advice...time for a spanking.
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'97 GT with 80mm C&L MAF, C<rue-Flow CAI, MAC 70mm TB, Superchip, 180 thermo, B&M Ripper, King Cobra Clutch, FRPP aluminum quad/adj cable, MAC O/R H pipe, MIL's, Flows, Granatelli Solid control arms, FRPP 4.10's, FRPP aluminum driveshaft, Fidanza aluminum flywheel, FRPP 9mm wires, TMD aluminum U/D pulleys, Steeda full length SFC's (welded in), and 17" polished aluminum Cobra wheels with Nitto 555 Extremes, Kenwood/Alpine sound. Waiting for install: PI intake.
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
97m91 April, 1999
Your Vehicle Identification Number: 12345678901234567
Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345
Ford Motor Company is providing a no-charge Service Program Number 97M91, to owners of certain 1996 through 1998 Crown Victoria Taxi, Town Car Limo Prep & Livery Package, 1996 and 1997 Thunderbird, Cougar and Mustang vehicles equipped with 4.6L SOHC engines. This service program provides additional coverage for the intake manifold.
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.
WHAT WE WILL DO
If the engine of your car should develop a coolant leak at the intake manifold cross over coolant passage, located directly behind the alternator, your dealer will verify the condition. If the coolant leakage is from the location described above, your dealer will replace the engine intake manifold assembly free of charge.
This no charge coverage is available for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date (no mileage limitation) and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
PLEASE KEEP THIS LETTER. If your car's engine intake manifold should exhibit the above condition within the 7 year coverage described above, contact your dealer. Show the dealer this letter. The dealer will replace the intake manifold assembly after verification of this specific condition. If you should lose this letter the dealer will still honor the provisions of this program.
REFUNDS
If you paid to have the engine intake manifold replaced due to a leak at the cross over coolant passage before the date of this letter, Ford is offering a full refund. For the refund, please give your paid original receipt to your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer. To avoid delays, do not send receipts to Ford Motor Company.
CHANGED ADDRESS OR SOLD THE VEHICLE?
Please fill out the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us if you have changed your address or sold the vehicle.
We are taking this action as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain owner confidence in our products. We hope this program will confirm your continued satisfaction in your Ford-built vehicle.
Hello,
I have a 96 G.T. My Intake cracked last year. Called the dealership and they asked for the vin number and said It was under some kind of program ? They paid for towing and everything. The bill came to just over $400.00. No charge. It was cracked just behind the alternater. Walt.
I think that my manifold has cracked as well but my warrenty expired last August. I want to know if anyone has had Ford still covering all or at least part of the repair costs.
Roxy
ford will pay for these repairs up to 10 years from original warranty start date .. even if it is a silent recall
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88 LX Hatchback .... FRPP sub frame connectors , FRPP strut tower brace , Ford racing spark plug wires , MAC cold air intake , Ravin mufflers , pony's , BFGoodrich G-Force T/A's... so much more i have to get ...
sorry my bad ... as written in a pervious reply .. its 7 years from the original warranty start date
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88 LX Hatchback .... FRPP sub frame connectors , FRPP strut tower brace , Ford racing spark plug wires , MAC cold air intake , Ravin mufflers , pony's , BFGoodrich G-Force T/A's... so much more i have to get ...
I have a 98 GT and my intake cracked last month. I dealt with ford about the whole situation and 98 GTs ARE NOT covered underneath the recall. I had them search high and low for something that would warranty this defect. but no. They told me that all 96 and some 97 are covered but no 98s. Fortunately i had an extended mile warranty that covered it.
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1998 GT black
Flowmasters on Pypes Off-Road X-pipe
Steeda Double Hook Clutch Quadrant, Firewall Adjuster and Adjustable Cable, King Cobra Clutch
Eibach Pro-kit, Mach 1 tokicos
Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter, BBK UCA's & LCA's, All polyurethane bushings and isolaters
"I don't know which is louder...my exhaust or my stereo..."
to all the peeps out there wondering if your intake has cracked......you willl KNOW when it happens...trust me...
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1998 SVT Cobra #4941 of 5174 built on June 19,1998
4.30s, Speedcal, WMS CAI, Pro 5.0 shifter, Sniper Tuner, March pulleys, Mac O/R H pipe, Flowmaster orig. 40's, King Cobra clutch, D/S rotors, FRPP 9mm's, Max. Motorsports C/C plates, Termy front control arms, H&R SS springs, MM solid steering rack bushings, Tokico HP struts and shocks, Mac subrames, HID Bi-Xenon 6000k kit, Saleen 18" wheels, Saleen S-281 spoiler, sequential tails
Up Next: Termi diff, 31 spline Axles, LPW girdle, MM LCAs
^hahaha, yeah when all the anti-freeze pours out of you engine, and your low coolant light comes on, and then you smell the refreshing scent of anti-freeze (mapple syrup) filling your car.... along with the smoke... it is really a wonderful experience. I dont think you would be able to overlook it.
intake recall 
