Head gasket failed on my 1997 Ford F-150 with 4.2 liter (V6) engine. It leaked into crankcase and the engine locked up. It is a total loss of the engine and I can't afford to buy another engine. I have found out that this has happened to many other people.

- Olathe, KS, USA

My 1997 4.2L V6 F150 would not start, replaced starter motor, pulled plugs found coolant in #1 cylinder. I'm currently digging into the engine to replace the head gasket.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

: the contact stated the vehicle lost power intermittently while driving at any highway speed. This happened more often while towing something behind the vehicle. The engine spewed coolant onto the engine block. The vehicle has been to the dealership five times. The heads have been changed once; the reservoir system has been changed twice. The egr valve has been changed twice. However, the problem still persists.

- Lombard, IL, USA

I have a 1997 Ford F-150 with a 4.2L V6 engine that has failed with 82,000 miles. It is my understanding this failure is due to coolant leaking into the engine due to an engineering flaw. It is also my understanding the Ford Motor Company is well aware of this problem but chooses to except no responsibility and leave the consumer with the burden of engine replacement for $4000 to $5000. I also understand the failures are not an isolated problem but are being experienced by thousands of Ford F-150 truck owners with the 4.2L V6 engine. It seems to me that if a problem is this wide spread and the manufacturer refuses to be accountable a government Agency should step up and represent as well as protect the people to something that amounts to out and out consumer fraud.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

: the contact stated while stopped at an idle, the engine oil pressure decreases to zero followed by a grinding noise within the engine compartment. The vehicle was seen by an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined the engine needed to be replaced.

- Middlesex, NC, USA

Own a 1997 F150 with 4.2 for about a year now. Never seen the smoke coming. Hyrdolocked on me with 150,000 kms which I have heard is kinda low kms for that to happen. Looking at getting a rebuilt but will see what happens with this.

- Stoney Creek, 00, USA

97 Ford F-150 4.2, blew a rod and they tell me that is gone cost me about $4000 to replace the engine.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

1997 Ford F150 4.2L V 6 engine. Engine hydrolocked. #4 cylinder full of coolant bending connecting rod and other catastrophic failure. Poor gasket design by manufacturer allowing coolant to leech into combustion chambers. Information readily available on the internet regarding multiple failures of the same type for the same engine type. Manufacturer will not remedy problem. $4000 repair cost to an engine that has less than 75K miles on it.

- Appleton, WI, USA

I own a 1997 Ford F150 with the 4.2 V-6 motor. The truck had 70, 126 miles when it suffered hydrolock. I drove the truck on a Wednesday, and it was running fine. Friday evening when I tried to start it, I thought the battery had gone dead. I pulled the battery out and had it tested, and it was ok. Installed the battery and again attempted to start the truck, when I heard an unusual "kick back." I was able to get the truck started, but there was white smoke coming from the exhaust and the smoke had a sweet coolant smell. I performed some internet research and found the information about the hydrolock problems. I pulled the intake manifold and found a crack in the gasket. I then pulled the left side head and found the number 4 connecting rod was bent. I pull the motor and performed a complete rebuild.

- Greer, SC, USA

No known event leading up to failure. Engine made a loud exploding noise and started popping after explosion. The dealership explained that it was a blown spark plug and that the head had to be replaced. Cost $1600.

- El Dorado, KS, USA

Engine dead due to faulty gaskets, coolant leaking into engine.

- Brick, NJ, USA

Coolant leaking from a faulty head gasket into the motor causing major damage. Resulting in Ford Motor Company replacing the entire motor for well over $4,000. This is not only a problem with my vehicle but many more. Just do a web search for faulty gaskets in 97 4.2L engines. Go to forums.treemedia.com/fb/showthread.php?T=224&page=10&pp=15 for more info.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

Intake gasket went out causing antifreeze to leak into piston and when truck was cranked up it bent rod broke piston repair bill was $1685 something needs to be down about this. Many others have had the same problem just look up 1997 F150 intake forum thanks.

- Greenwood, SC, USA

I have a 1997 Ford F-150 with a V-6 4.2L engine. This engine ran rough after being driven at highway speeds and was then slowed to normal city speeds. This was investigated at least three times while under the warranty period with no trouble found each time. At about 70,000 miles this truck began to run rough and the shop which serviced it told me that there was insufficient spark in the right half of the engine, but came up with no satisfactory resolutions. I notice that I was loosing coolant and the check engine light would come on and blink occasionally. This continued for several months until one day when I turned on the engine there was a loud bang and an obnoxious clattering. The truck was towed into a dealer at which point I was told I needed a new engine which cost $4200. After 55,000 more miles I started losing fluid again and experiencing similar problems and took the truck into a dealer which found no trouble. The symptoms were a fluctuating temperature gauge and no heat when the heater was turned on. Also, loosing fluid with white smoke from the exhaust. From other postings on various online forums I found out this was a classic failure for the 4.2L V6 with a blown head gasket. I seem to be on the verge of another blown engine. When I called a dealer to schedule a return visit I was informed that this the same engine as the Taurus 3.8L with a long stroke hence making the displacement 4.2 liters. Also, I was informed that engine had the same trouble and many have to be replaced.

- Houston, TX, USA

Fire started in engine compartment of 1997 Ford F150.

- Columbia, MO, USA

97 Ford F150 4.2 L engine, no gasket recall notification, thrown rod during startup just like the large number of other people complaining about the same failure on forums.treemedia.com

- Flower Mound, TX, USA

The contact stated vehicle was making a loud noise. He took it to a local mechanic, who informed him that all 1997 Ford F150 engines had to be replaced. He contacted Ford, and they told him there was no recall involving noise. The mechanic stated the water pump was defective which resulted in water leaking into the engine. The mechanic predicted that the engine might function for three more miles.

- Holiday, FL, USA

1997 Ford F-150 pickup with 4.2 liter V6. Over the last couple of years I have noticed that I have to continually add coolant to the radiator. After researching the problem on the internet I came across Ford onp 99B29 which states Ford will replace the engine front cover gasket to prevent serious damage to the engine. (hydrolock leading to broken or bent connecting rods). I never received this notice as I understand it was only sent to corporate customers. I now have oily residue throughout the engine coolant, hard starting, etc. All consistent with defective intake manifold/front cover gasket leading to internal engine coolant leakage. The Ford dealer refuses to fix the problem because he said I had to report it to him prior to March 31, 2001. I now have 70,600 miles on the truck. I would like Ford to fix this problem before I have a catostrophic engine failure from a broken rod on cylinder #1.

- College Station, TX, USA

Blown gasket-

- Dayton, OH, USA

Defective engine. 1997 F150 V6 4.2 L, 73000 miles and a rod is knocking. This is a known defect at Ford.

- Crystal, MN, USA