97 F-150 4.2 intake gasket leaking resulting in damaged engine.

- Bethlehem, GA, USA

On or about Dec 2006, I began noticing the engine in my truck behaving strangely. It had around 85,000 miles at the time. I wasn't able to have the truck repaired due to financial reasons, and I rarely drive it anyway, so the truck sat in my garage until I was brave enough to face the problem. I knew by the way it was acting that it was going to cost alot. Last fall, Aug 2007, I took the truck to the local Ford dealer and was told that the 4.2L engine that had been installed in my truck was faulty but there was nothing I could do but pay to replace the engine. The mechanic told me that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced.

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

1997 F-150 XL sb (truck) two days ago, I started the truck and noticed that a large amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust and there was a banging on the engine. I checked the fluid levels..all were within the correct levels..took it to a reputable mechanics..told me that Ford should have recalled all of these trucks...he said that the front cover gasket had been compromised and that there was coolant leaking into the engine..I found a website where there were 100's of individuals who were having the same problem with this V-6 engine (4.2 L). I am appalled that Ford would allow this to happen...oh, yes.... I never received a tsb regarding this matter..I bought this vehicle brand new in 1997 and I have only 38,891 miles on this engine....I am livid that I have been royally screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

Coolant leaking into cylinders causing engine to lock up at startup.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

Check engine light came on and when mechanic service vehicle he informed me that coolant has leaked into the number four cylinder and that this engine has a history of head gasket failures. He can replace gasket but believes that this would only be a temporary fix. He would be willing to replace gasket for $1600 but he can not guarantee results, a replacement engine would cost approx. $4800. After researching this issue on the web it has become apparent to me that Ford has long known of this problem but has failed to take any action to remedy this situation.

- Browns Mills, NJ, USA

1997 F150 4.2L engine failure.. updated 01/11/08. The engine main bearings, lower engine gasket and timing belt gasket cover were replaced. Updated

- Clarksville, IN, USA

I had my spark plugs replaced twice at $541 dollars at a Ford dealership because they were "corroded". upon taking it some place else Goodyear to be specific they pulled up a factory recall on Ford F150 from 97 because a gasket leaks coolant onto the spark plugs causing corrosion. Empire Ford never even gave me a reason for this, just kept cashing the checks, now they are saying my VIN number was never included, but I have the same problem as those recalled, coincidence, impossible.

- Spokane, WA, USA

At 1:50A.M. on 8/1/2007 our 1997 Ford F150, which was under recall, burned in our driveway. Damage was also done to 2 other vehicles, our home, driveway, and basketball goal.

- Jasper, AL, USA

Purchased a 1997 Ford F-150 in early spring of 2006. Vehicle had less than or close to 100,000 miles. Drove the vehicle between 1,000 and 2,000 miles over the next year. In late March or early April of this year the vehicle's engine, a 4.2 L 6 cylinder motor self destructs. On the morning in question, I went out and attempted to start the vehicle. The motor turned over very sluggishly as if the battery was low. When the motor started, it made a terrible racket and blew a chunk of the engine block out approximately the size of my thumb. After this happened, I researched the problem on the internet only to find that 1997 4.2 L Ford motors have a defective gasket which allows water to flow into the cylinders. The gasket had failed and allowed water to leak into the cylinder(s) overnight causing the vehicle to hydrolock and "blow up". Ford has been aware of this problem for many years, and even sent out numerous technical service bulletins regarding the problem. I have even found evidence that they may sent out a few recall notices, but not to every owner. Hundreds of '97 F-150 owners have had this same problem, and they, like me, cannot afford to pay the approximately $5,000 to repair their mistake. I currently owe about $5,000 on this vehicle, which at this time is only an expensive lawn ornament. Fortunately, there was not fire or injuries when this occurred, but they could have. I'm certain that Ford never replaced the gasket on this vehicle, as the only recall "sticker" is one for the engine computer. As for being too old to be recalled, several months after I purchased the vehicle, I received a recall notice for a wiring problem on it. Certainly Ford should issue a recall, or at least pay to have the problem fixed. The incident date is only approximate, as I cannot recall the exact day that it happened.

- Mcpherson, KS, USA

Engine threw rod, just like the few thousand other complaints I have seen on the internet. Treated this truck like a baby, heard from a Ford master mechanic that they knew about this problem already, and he actually laughed as he told me I was screwed. Happened one morning when to start it and bam blew rod. Was full of oil, full coolant, wet spark plug amazing I come from a 4 generation Ford family and because of this I will never buy a Ford again.

- Edinburg, TX, USA

4.2 engine problem, the 1997 Ford F150 has 90,000 miles on it, as of this date the engine main bearing wore out. This vehicle has all ways been serviced, and with oil changes every three months or 3000 miles since I purchased it with 6 miles on it. And this was a one owner vehicle. I think the bearing were worn because of defective engine parts from the factor due to the leaking of lower intake gasket that Ford Motor Company recalled these vehicles. They replaced this gasket, but still some of these vehicle have had coolant problems. Before the engines went bad it had to be replaced, and the cost of that engine I was approximately $4,000. I took the vehicle to Ford dealership, and the engine was checked for compression, and the compression was low due to the bearings failure. Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

I just got my 1997 Ford F150 XLT with the 4.2L engine back yesterday, after paying $1430 for engine repairs. This truck only has 47,700 miles on it. I went out to the truck one day and turned the key, and - nothing. Turns out to be hydro lock but I didn't know it at the time. I finally got it started, & got it into the dealer, and the technician thought it needed to be tuned up, plus I was having the heat fade at stops so he flushed & refilled the coolant. I mentioned that I was having to top off the coolant about once a month, but I didn't know where the coolant was going, and it wasn't showing up in the oil. I got it back, and it was still running really bad, so I dropped it off again 2 days later. This time he thought it was the coil pack. They had it again for another day, replaced the coil pack and a sensor. I go out to the lot and start it, and it was still running really bad. So, I go back in & get the technician, and he came out to check it himself, and he was amazed at how bad it was running. We took it for a ride, and it smoothed out a little, but it was still not right. I told him I would let him consult his boss, and call them back on Monday. Monday comes, and I go to start it to go to work, and - hydro lock again. So, I take my wife's car to work, and called them from there, and told them what it was doing. They were there within a half hour to get it. This time I get a call from the service manager, and he told me that he put his best technician on it, and would call. When he called, he told me that the head gaskets were leaking, and letting coolant into the cylinders. I said to go ahead & fix it. Then they called me back the next day and told me that they found that the lower intake manifold was cracked, and letting coolant pour into the cylinders. I asked about getting a used intake manifold, and he said they would look for one, and they did find one. Plus, they put in a new thermostat.

- Auburn, NY, USA

Hydro lock 1997 Ford 4.2 V6 44,000 miles.

- Dallas, TX, USA

This week the engine in my 1997 F-150 blew. The plugs were wet. Coolant leaked. I went on the internet to see about purchasing an engine and I found a website called fight back with david horiwitz. There are 27 pages of complaints that are exactly the same as mine. Http:www.forums.treemedia.com/fb/showthread.phpt=224 you need to see for yourself. It is unbelievable.

- Sea Isle City, NJ, USA

Low on coolant- oil pressure started to drop, coolant in oil. After reading considerably about this on internet found out about tsp #99B29 and the resulting onp do not believe this was ever fixed I am second owner and the onp expired in 2001. Ford should have to correct this problem leaking gasket. Many many complaints on websites regarding this. I have small children and cannot afford a $4000 motor because Ford did not get it right and will not fix the problem with a recall. Someone needs to make Ford responsible for their errors.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Coolant running low, started my truck and it started knocking very loud, and the engine locked up almost instantly, had to have engine rebuilt and now it is knocking again.

- Llano, TX, USA

On occasion, truck would hesitate, taking a bit of tlc on the gas pedal to clear it up. One occasion, in traffic, attempting to avoid a near miss, I accelerated through this. White smoke began pouring out the tail pipe. Head gasket failure. Limped home. Engine hydro-locked. Diagnosis = replace head gaskets ($2,100) in this same 'weak' 4.2 V-6 or replace motor ($2,500) with newer 4.2 V-6. replacement will be done tomorrow. Ford faulty engine / gaskets - not my fault. My problem though.

- Lantana, FL, USA

1997 Ford F-150 4.2L V6. Engine failure. Broken rod following hydro lock. Problem preceded with coolant leak and replacement of timing chain cover gasket.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

Ford F-150 V-6 4.2L motor coolant caused the motor to throw a rod.

- Williamsburg, KY, USA

This is short. My 5.4 blew a spark plug out of the head. Ford heads only have.250 in. Of threaded depth in head not enough.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA