Other Engine Info: Overhead camshaft
Electronic fuel injection
Plant City: Dearborn
Plant Country: United States (USA)
Plant State: Michigan
Seat Belts All: Manual
Series: LX
Vehicle Type: PASSENGER CAR
Model year
COMPONENT
Complaint
2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
FORD DESIGNED THE A/C DRAIN LINE LOCATED ABOVE THE RIGHT EXHAUST PIPE LEADING TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON THE 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE. THE COLD CONDENSATION FROM THE A/C DRIPPING ONTO THE PIPE CAUSES THE PIPE TO CRACK OR IN SOME CASES CAUSES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO RUPTURE OR CRACK. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I KNOW OF 3 PEOPLE IN MY BUSINESS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO IN JUST THE PAST 6 MONTHS. ONE CASE THE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IN THE OTHER 2 THE EXHAUST PIPE HAD TO BE REMOVED AND WELDED AT THE CRACKS. STAINLESS STEEL PIPES ARE WELDED DIFFERENT THEN THE OLD STEEL PIPES AND REQUIRE A SPECIAL WELDING TECHNIQUE AND EQUIPMENT DRIVING UP THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THIS CRACK LEFT UNATTENDED COULD LEAD TO CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THE COCKPIT AREA. *TR