Mercury Mountaineer 1997 - Engine and engine cooling - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Mercury Mountaineer 1997

Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
12150	11/01/1998	613170	Information concerning the replacement of the engines on vehicles equipped with a 4.0l sohc that require service. *mjs	06/19/2000
BC0190970201	01/02/1997	51057	Vehicles built prior to 10/1/96 may have been built with wrong temp gauge system parts. *jd	06/27/1997
BC1009597020	01/02/1997	51147	Vehicles built prior to 10/1/96 may have been built with wrong tem gauge system parts. *jd	06/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
14617	01/01/2001	617995	Subject pertaining to broken thermostat. *jb	04/03/2001
14583	01/01/2001	617968	Concerns with broken thermostats on engines. *jb	04/02/2001
BC1035597020	02/01/1997	51830	Radiators may exhibit a coolant leak at the end tank seals in cold temperatures. *jd	07/17/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
02221	11/11/2002	10008304	Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (cmp) installation tool correct application. *mj	07/27/2004
870197	10/22/2002	10000592	Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position (cmp) sensor synchronizer assemblies causing surge, lost of power, malfunction indicator lamp on and diagnostic trouble codes p1336, p1309 and p0340. *tt	03/25/2003
01M01	04/01/2001	619285	Owner notification program regarding additional coverage program for front cam chain guide assembly which may wear or break and cause excessive cam chain noise that does not go away after five minutes of engine operation. *tt	05/22/2001
01M01	01/05/2001	618042	Subject regarding advance notice on upcoming owner notification program which will provide additional coverage on the front cam chain guide assembly on certain vehicles. *tt	04/03/2001
14560	01/01/2001	617944	Vehicles may experience start up timing chain noise. *jb	04/02/2001
00M12	11/01/2000	616507	Ford motor company is providing additional coverage for the 4.0l sohc camshaft chain tensioner and lower intake manifold gasket. *tt	03/01/2001
983092	01/01/1998	607731	Rear crankshaft seal oil leak. *ak	02/15/2001
14048	04/01/2000	613703	Some vehicles may experience an oil leak at the rear crankshaft area after service. **mr	07/27/2000
8493	04/01/2000	613654	Some vehicles may experience an oil leak at the rear crankshaft area after service. **mr	07/26/2000
985144	11/01/1998	613280	All vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc that require engine service please note that the xl2z-6m289-aa (drive assembly-camshaft-lh) must be used on 4.0l sohc engines if replacement is required. *tt	06/20/2000
7138	10/01/1999	6090757	Service tip information when servicing the 4.0l sohc short block assembly. *tt	03/29/2000
13260	09/01/1999	6090690	Service tips information provided to assist when servicing vehicles with short block assembly. *tt	03/23/2000
13170	09/01/1999	6090518	Information regarding 4.0 l sohc camshaft bolt torque. *mjs	03/21/2000
13180	09/01/1999	6090538	Information regarding camshaft position (cmp) sensor alignment tool chart. *mjs	03/21/2000
6997	09/01/1999	6090310	Some service manuals may list the incorrect camshaft position sensor alignment tool for vehicles with various engine sizes. *tt	03/14/2000
6986	09/01/1999	6090291	Information regarding 4.0l sohc camshaft bolt torque. *tt	03/13/2000
9874	04/13/1998	601343	A new silicone gasket and sealant. *yc	07/24/1998
BC1033197020	02/01/1997	51789	Vehicles with rear crankshaft seal oil leaks. *jd	07/17/1997
BC3092970225	02/25/1997	51695	Rear crankshaft seal oil leaks. *tw	06/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
01246	12/10/2001	630515	Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure. *tt	04/18/2002
0214	01/21/2002	630001	Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area. *tt	04/11/2002
01205	10/15/2001	627927	Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174. *tt	02/26/2002
070101	07/01/2001	623810	Subject regarding owner notification program 01m01 supplement #2: revised technical instructions and new labor operation. nlm	10/30/2001
01M01	04/26/2001	620173	Subject regarding owner notification program 01m01 regarding additional coverage for front cam chain guide assembly. *tt	07/19/2001
01M01	03/02/2001	619443	Subject regarding additional coverage on the front cam chain guide assembly for rental vehicles with 4.0l single overhead cam (sohc) engines. *tt	05/31/2001
14868	04/01/2001	619337	Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0 sohc engine may exhibit a primary chain rattle noise (sometimes described as a spark knock-type noise). *tt	05/23/2001
00M12	12/01/2000	616816	Subject regarding owner notification suppllemental program for vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines - camshaft chain tensioner and lower intake manifold gasket additional coverage. *tt	03/13/2001
5272	12/01/1998	615393	Brief information regarding engine stall condition. *tt	01/16/2001
5256	12/01/1998	615373	Information on vehicles exhibiting upper engine noise. *tt	01/13/2001
4623	08/01/1998	615160	Brief information for vehicles exhibiting engine stall. *tt	01/02/2001
13300	10/01/1999	6092122	Some vehicles with 4.0l sohc engines may exhibit a vibration / moan / boom at idle. *tt	11/27/2000
13261	09/01/1999	6091661	Service tips when servicing a 4.0l sohc short block assembly. *tt	11/09/2000
5049	11/01/1998	613181	Brief information regarding upper engine noise. *tt	06/19/2000
985064	11/01/1998	613200	Repeat message regarding engine stalling *tt	06/19/2000
12174	11/01/1998	613224	Some vehicles may exhibit a hard start/long crank, cold start stall, cold rough idle concern. *mjs	06/19/2000
13527	11/01/1999	610913	Some vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines may exhibit an overheat condition that may be attributed to the thermostat. engineering is currently investigating this issue and is looking for thermostats and coolants samples from these	05/18/2000
7270	10/01/1999	6090871	Some vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines may exhibit a vibration / moan / boom at idle. *tt	03/31/2000
13172	09/01/1999	6090522	Information regarding sohc engine noise (cam chain noise). *mjs	03/21/2000
13171	09/01/1999	6090520	Information regarding 4.0l sohc engine noise (cam chain noise). *mjs	03/21/2000
13177	09/01/1999	6090532	Information regarding 4.0l sohc engine repair procedure update. *mjs	03/21/2000
6993	09/01/1999	6090303	Subject regarding 4.0l sohc engine repair procedure update. *tt	03/14/2000
6987	09/01/1999	6090293	Some vehicles may exhibit engine noise(cam chain noise). *tt	03/13/2000
99223	10/18/1999	6089683	A no start condition when vehicle is parked on an incline with the vehicle in a nose down position and less than 1/4 tank of fuel may occur. *tt	02/11/2000
99816	05/03/1999	606420	Ford motor company now recommends sae 5w-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year. *tt	08/19/1999
12624	03/01/1999	605343	Some vehicles may exhibit a hesitation / lack of power on re-acceleration after decelerating from 45 - 65 mph to a slow roll condition. *tt	06/08/1999
98211	10/26/1998	603665	Experiencing a noise and vibration during idle.	03/01/1999
BC3092970501	05/01/1997	52847	Engineering is investigating rear crankshaft oil leaks. *tw	09/18/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
BC0755961017	10/17/1996	50394	Tensioner rattle . install a 1 inch shorter motorcraft belt (p/n f19z-8620-c). *tt	04/24/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
98R03	05/01/1999	606327	Subject regarding positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) tube modification. *tt	08/16/1999
982010	10/12/1998	603695	Experiencing a buzzing or rattling noise from the exhaust system. *yc	03/02/1999
980313	04/01/1998	603507	Experiencing idle vibration / exhaust boom. *yc	02/23/1999
BC9671961001	10/01/1996	50531	Push connection between the flexible fuel vapor line at the carbon canister & the metal fuel vapor line may not seat fully on the fuel vapor line. *tt	05/27/1997
BC9668961001	10/01/1996	50529	Concern for vehicles exhibiting lean codes p0171 & p0174 (vacuum leak). *tt	05/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
981512	08/03/1998	609551	A direct replacement part for the evaporative emission canister and bracket assembly. ak	04/03/2000
982310	11/23/1998	603724	Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip. *ak	03/03/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
98R03	06/01/1999	606329	Safety recall letter informing owners of modification to the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system. *tt	08/16/1999
BC2237970501	05/01/1997	52778	Recall 97s67 - modification of the pcv valve requires a special tool whicl will sent to listed parts managers. *tw	09/12/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
BC3494972301	01/23/1997	51487	Various vehicles may experience a high pitched whistle during heavy acceleration at 3800-5000 rpm when engine is warm- to fix, remove existing muffler and replace with same part. *jd	06/27/1997
BC1019297230	01/23/1997	51551	Vehicles may experience a high pitched whistle during heavy acceleration at 3800-5000 rpm when engine is warm. *jd	06/27/1997
BC3481972301	01/23/1997	51476	Exhaust noise heard in the passenger compartment most present at tip-in a nd cruise after ssm 5238 has been performed. *jd	06/27/1997
BC1019597230	01/23/1997	51554	Exhaust noise heard in the passenger compartment most present a tip-in a nd cruise after ssm 5238 has been performed. *jd	06/27/1997
BC5238961101	11/01/1996	50848	Vehicle may exhibit an exhaust manifold impingement noise. *tw	06/17/1997
BC0481961113	11/13/1996	50760	Vehicles may exhibit an exhaust manifold impingement noise. *tw	06/17/1997

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DP05005	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	09/22/2005	01/04/2006	SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
	On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
DP05005	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	09/22/2005	01/04/2006	SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
	On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
DP05005	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	09/22/2005	01/04/2006	SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
	On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
12/13/2008		1
	We really don't have any information regarding the incident. the car had been parked outside for approximately 4 hours, when upon waking at around 3:50 am on sunday morning, i smelled a strange odor emanating from somewhere in the house. as i investigated, i soon found out that the smell was not in the house, but outside, and that's when i found my car ablaze. the fire department had already been called by the time i realized what it was, and the fire was put out. no police came, and no report was filed. the only information given to any official was my name, my cell number, the license plate number, and possibly the vin. the 1997 mercury mountaineer now sits in my driveway. *tr
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
			01/20/1999
	Radiator leaks around the plastic tank which is connected to core of radiator. problem happens only when weather is cold. once vehicle had heated it did not leak. contacted dealership & informed vehicle out of warranty & no recalls or bulletins on vehicle. ak ml
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
			05/01/1999
	I don't know that if this is the right place i need to be, but my suv has quite a bit of rust underneath and in the wheels, i can scratch some off with chipping coming off, i have met with the dealership and the ford rep, they say i have surface rust and it won't rust threw the steel, in my life time, and i am unease about that, my seat belts have a smell to them and i feel like it has had some water damaged to it, but i do not feel safe in it, they have had to replace gaskets, oil pan, crankshaft rear seal, and rear main seal, and it is in the shop now for a poping sound. i need to know what i can do next to get this matter taken care of, i have never seen this much rust, can you please help me, and give me the right direction to go now. i thank you so much.
		1
	Gasket on the manifold failed. yh
07/20/1997			07/19/1997
	Oil pan drainpan flawed from factory.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
			08/01/1997
	While traveling engine will hesitate or stop momentarily when vehicle is slowing or starting to accelerate. mercury knows of the problem, but doesn't know how to fix it. *ak.et
01/04/2000		1	06/01/1997
	While parked vehicle caught fire inside the engine compartment. dealer has repaired the vehicle. ak ml
11/23/1999		6	03/01/1999
	Vehicle loses power steering completey for up to 1 minute after going through puddles of water. loss of steering at speed is very dangerous. dealer maintenance personnel claim this is ford-wide problem and there is no known fix. i believe this problem could result in severe accidents.
		1	03/14/1998
	Vehicle continually shuts down in raining weather, not able to rectify.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
01/01/1997
	If driving through a puddle right front wheel splashes water onto serpetine belt, resulting in temporary loss of power steering control/ alternator charge, and air conditioning. vehicle has been checked by dealer, who advised consumer that since there was no recall it was not their problem.*ak
01/31/2001		1
	Consumer stated the drive belt failed. *yh
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
03/15/2002		1	01/01/1998
	Problem mentioned on visit in december 01. my son and i experienced carbon monoxide poisoning on a trip to chicago 3/15/02. there are many similar vehicles in the rural area in which i live. i feel a service alert should be sent for similar age make vehicles that come in for service. especially if they mention a tick in the engine. have there been other reports of cracked egr tubes? nlm
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
		2	04/01/2097
	The exhaust manifold has failed more than once; therefore, leaking a considerable amouunt of carbon monoxide which causes passengers and driver to become sleepy.*ak
		1
	The manifold on the right side of the vehicle has a bad leak. yh
06/15/1999
	Engine manifold is leaking gas fumes into the vehicle. consumer contacted dealer.*ak