My 1997 Ford F150 with a 4.2L V-6 engine began giving me problems a few months ago. It began having an erratic starting problem. It then began to blow out white smoke out of the exhaust. I checked the coolant system with pressure gauges, and everything showed to be fine. I did this several times, because white smoke continued to come out of the exhaust. Then I went to start it the other morning and it turned over the rod in the #4 cylinder is bent due to coolant in the cylinder. I have heard this happening to many people, and think that Ford should step up and take responsibility!. the tech then explained that the F-150S have had a trend problem with these engines for years; coolant would leak into a cylinder causing too much compression resulting in a bent or broken rod. It cost me over $2000 for something Ford knew was defective. I sent a letter (attached) to Ford and received a call from customer service basically telling me it was the owner's responsibility. This vehicle was meticulously cared for according to the owner's manual but, because of an engineering problem with the manufacturer, the engine failed. I researched and found hundreds of stories like mine at forums.treemedia.com/fb/showthread.php?T=224&page=1&pp=15. I fined it extremely unfair that I and hundreds if not thousands of others have to bear the financial burden of replacing a defective engine. These vehicles should have been recalled years ago.

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA

My 1997 Ford F150 with a 4.2L V-6 engine began giving me problems a few months ago. It began having an erratic starting problem. It then began to blow out white smoke out of the exhaust. I checked the coolant system with pressure gauges, and everything showed to be fine. I did this several times, because white smoke continued to come out of the exhaust. Then I went to start it the other morning and it turned over and fired once. Then it made a real loud banging noise, and would not crank again. I continued to work with it, and finally got it to crank again, and it was knocking. The knocking sound was coming from the oil pan. I pulled the engine out, and took it apart. The rod in the #4 cylinder is bent due to coolant in the cylinder. I have heard this happening to many people, and think that Ford should step up and take responsibility!

- Tazewell, TN, USA

Leaking coolant internally due to known manufacturer defect in gaskets. There was no external leaks, just disappearing coolant levels and car overheating. After the coolant was topped off, I tried starting the car the next morning, the car wouldn't start due to hydrolock. When it did finally start, the engine produced a loud pinging sound (such as a rod knock). I am in the process of going further into the engine to assess damage. This is a know defect to the manufacturer as they have released a tsb to address the problem. Of course this is only shared with the public after damage is done. Please help!

- Henderson, NV, USA

1997 F-150 4.2 engine failure due to known (by Ford) defect that allows coolant to leak in to engine and damage the engine. The vehicle ([xxx] failed at my son's school over 100 miles from home. This particular problem is well documented on the internet. Unfortunately, we did not realize this until the engine failed. There are many Ford customers anxious for government support to require a recall to help finance this very expensive (~$4,000) problem. Updated 07/17/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Belchertown, MA, USA

I purchased a 1997 Ford F-150 from a jacksonville resident in December of 2004 about three weeks ago, I went out to start it and heard loud banging from the engine compartment accompanied by bellows of smoke from the exhaust, I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and, after the tech checked it out, was in formed the engine was shot. He then explained that the F-150S have had a trend problem with these engines for years; coolant would leak into a cylinder causing too much compression resulting in a bent or broken rod. It cost me $4220 to replace an engine Ford knew was defective. I sent a letter (attached) to Ford and received a call from customer service basically telling me it was the owner's responsibility. This vehicle was meticulously cared for according to the owner's manual but, because of an engineering problem with the manufacturer, the engine failed. I researched and found hundreds of stories like mine at forums.treemedia.com/fb/showthread.php?T=224&page=1&pp=15. I fined it extremely unfair that I and hundreds if not thousands of others have to bear the financial burden of replacing a defective engine. These vehicles should have been recalled years ago.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

Failure of spark plug on F150 1997 4.6L. No extra consequences except cost of repair of a feature that never should have failed.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

Engine failure 4.2 F150 1997. 110,000 miles front gasket replaced recall. No lost of coolant until now. Morning engine missed for 15-20 seconds for several days prior to failure. Day of failure engine turned a small amount and would not move by starter. Allowed to set and started later and when started it sounded like it was coming apart. All lubricants changed regular with synthetics. Apparently a rod broke when coolant ran into cylinder and starting cause the rod to bend and starting later caused the bend to break.

- Gurley, AL, USA

Spark plug has blown out of my 1997 Ford F150 for the second time. First fix was using a helicoil. Second fix will have to be the same. According to information gathered from the www, this is a common problem fixed only by replacing the entire cylinder head ($3,000+) this is poor quality manufacturing and corporate America turning its back, once again, on the consumers that keep them going.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

There was no significant event that lead up to the failure. The failure is that the spark plugs are popping out of the heads. This happened on a 1997 Ford F150 5.4 supercab pickup, it has also happened to a few other of our pickups and to a couple of our service vans. We had to have the spark plug holes tapped and re-drilled and install a new plug. It is quite and expensive procedure not only for the repairs but the down time of our vehicles. This seems to be happening a lot. Could you please get back to me if you have had similar complaints. Or let me know if I am complaining to the wrong place. Thank you.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

Vehicle started rough and ran poorly. Parked overnight, next morning engine was locked up. Would not turn over and felt like it was jammed. Finally got it to start, running poorly and white smoke poured out of the exhaust. Had vehicle taken to mechanic, who found out that the head gasket was the problem when he found the plugs were gunked up and white like vanilla pudding. Engine had to be sent out and rebuilt.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

I didn't really notice anything just one day my engine started making loud knocking sound took it in for servicing and found out I spun a rod I replaced the engine.

- Whitehorse, 00, USA

El cajon Ford replaced plugs. Never warned me about plug blowout. Heard ticking for 2 weeks but thought it was minor exhaust leak. Plug blew out driving home at 30 mph. Towed truck to el cajon Ford and service writer said Ford would only replace the head at $3500 with the same defective head. I asked about the dependability of the other head and he said that this problem was very rare and usually only happened with the lightning and only 1 plug was ever bad in each motor. I refused repair at Ford and had the truck towed to an independent mechanic.

- Jamul, CA, USA

My 97 Ford 4.2L, which is paid for and has 60,000 miles has thrown a rod. According to research, this is a problem that Ford has been aware of and has chosen to do nothing about. I have faithfully taken the truck in for regular maintenance and all factory recalls. I have a truck that is going to cost me $4,000 to repair because of Ford's negligent. Ford needs to step up to the plate and do what is right for their faithful customers.

- Hampton, VA, USA

Consumer owned a 1997 Ford F150. It had a blown gasket. When the truck was turned on there was an extreme knocking. Vehicle was taken to a Ford dealership; they stated that the rod was bent. The engine needed to be replaced. The truck had less than 87,000 miles.

- Boerne, TX, USA

Engine failure due to faulty gasket

- Lompoc, CA, USA

I have spoken with several people here in tucson and read on the internet, many people that have a 1997 F150 pickup have had the head gasket go bad causing radiator fluid to flow into the engine. I had this same problem and was wondering if this is a complaint worthy of investigation or something that is coincidental. I had to have my engine rebuilt and it was under 100,000 miles. I called the Ford dealership and they told me that there has not been an issue with the gasket.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

My '97 Ford F150 4.2L V6 failed in my driveway upon starting three weeks after purchasing it. After turning the ignition, I heard loud knocking and banging coming from the engine and I shut it down. I found oil pouring from under the engine. Upon inspection found that the # 2 connecting rod was shattered which took out the oil pan, the oil pick up tube, and bent the crank shaft. Removed upper intake manifold, and found coolant in the rear port of the lower intake manifold.

- Dunnellom, FL, USA

Low amounts of coolant loss, knocking in engine, and the engine runs poorly. Had the engine looked at by three mechanics, including castrucci Ford in milford, and they all informed me that the rods in the engine are bad because coolant is getting into the engine. Diagnosis: New engine required.

- Milford, OH, USA

Driving along at 40 mph, severe rod knocking on the driver side of 4.2 motor. Anti freeze in oil per timing chain cover, acid etched crank to rod bearing. Ford refused to fix-3000 miles over warranty. I paid $1000 for xtended warranty to fix. Dealer put in new rebuilt 4.2, 35,000 miles on 2nd engine when rod knocking on driver side of engine. Anti freeze in oil, acid etched crank to rod bearing again! truck sits in back yard, excellent condition. $4000 to put in new engine. Ford claims no responsibility for terrible craftsmanship on 4.2 engine.

- Corning, CA, USA

1997 Ford F150 suffered from premature failure of the engine's gaskets. This caused the engine to lockup either from coolant in cylinder bores or crank bearing failure. At high speeds this could cause skid and loss of control. Also coolant leaks out front of engine on ground and tires when going forward.

- Moore, OK, USA