TheMissing

I have a 1996 grand marquis... So I just replaced my bad water pump and thought the leaking coolant problem was over. Then Last night i was driving down the highway and my car started smoking really bad (steam actually) the teperature started to rise, so before it became a problem, i pulled over and got a tow. Upon inspection all the hoses were intact, but the top of the engine had a little coolant on it under the engine cover (just condensation). So i topped off the coolant and started it up. It got up to normal operating temperature and it was working FINE, a little steam from the coolant that was still on the engine. but we saw no leaks. The majority of the steam was comming from on top of the block behind the alternator. We were perplexed, until... I turned the AC on and turned the heat up, then it REALLY started pouring on the block and we had a big cloud of steam rush up from the engine. I immediately shut it off. I checked the oil, theres no water in the oil (thank god). Are there hoses that run underneith the intake manifold? Or is the manifold itself cracked and leaking? Or is it something i'm missing? Please help!

kreflo

on our 96 mgms you may or may not know that the intake manifold is made of plastic. the new replacements are plastic with an aluminum coolant crossover, you might have the old or original intake this could be your problem. they are notorious for failing to the point there was a class action suit filed, but your car is probably not covered. part cost and other research can be found just do a google search. lol

ryoder

There's a tube under the intake that is connected to the coolant system. It is your problem.Remove the intake and fix the tube.

TheMissing

After looking a little closer (and with a brighter flashlight) i can see the tube... Thanks for the help... i hope this solves my problem (i think it will)

Unregistered

Well... after taking everything apart... the tube is intact. However, the POS plastic intake manifold has a 3" crack in it, oh joy. Doesn't that seem like a good idea? "hey, lets bolt a piece of plastic onto a hot piece of metal!" *laughs*