Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Duratec plastic intake manifold

I have read horror stories about tha duratec plastic intake manifold where the swirl flaps come loose and are sucked into the engine with catastrophic consequences. Does anyone know the life expectancy of these parts in terms of years or milage?

Greetings,
Harald

I've got 48k on mine in 13 years no problem.

I wouldn't worry too much Harald. Whilst it's not unknown for Duratecs to swallow swirl flaps the usual gradual failure is their bearings which lead to rattling and vacuum leaks rather than immediate engine destruction.

I understand that very early ones were vulnerable but Ford brought out several improvements up to about 2006.
I am now at 58k+ miles and 15 years and still ok.

Thank you for the replies. My car is a 2008 model at almost 80000 km. I'll keep my ears open for new rattle sounds but eventually I may convince myself and that a
metal plenum is a necessary maintenance step.

I seem to remember some time ago there was a thread that dealt with the removal of the swirl flaps and linkage. I believe it had the added benefit of slightly improved performance?

Yes you'll hear them well before they fail and generally the shaft will wear through first so it's almost a fail safe system. Don't mess around when you suspect they might fail just strip them out and leave it at that!