1997 F150 engine failure 4.2L 6 cyl motor bent or blew a rod after sound came from engine after starting it.

- Chiefland, FL, USA

Faulty head gasket causing oil and coolant to mix. Eventually having to replace the engine due to bent rods.

- Blaine, WA, USA

My F150 XLT 4.2L engine had been operating normally prior to 9/21/07. The truck was sitting at home and had not been driven for approximately one week when I went to drive it. As I cranked it, the engine suddenly began making a very loud clattering noise. I immediately shut off the engine and opened the hood to see if something was hitting the fan blade or some similar event. After inspecting the engine compartment and discovering nothing unusual visually, I again started the engine and again the same horribly loud noise continued. I was told by an auto mechanic who lives nearby that the noise sounded like a rod "knock" caused by catastrophic engine failure. After learning of the 99B29 recall on this 4.2 engine for front gasket defects that cause complete engine failure if not stooped in time, I contacted the original owner and learned that he had never been notified of any such recall, and he specifically stated that anytime he was notified of a problem he always took the vehicle to the dealer as instructed. In fact, his father worked at a Ford dealership and his father sold him the truck and he still had no knowledge of any such recall. I had recently added engine coolant to the reservoir before the engine failure because it was very low, but I discovered no leaks anywhere nor anything else unusual so there was nothing appearing out of the ordinary. The engine is now ruined due to the faulty gasket because the vehicle owner was never notified of the defective condition. In fact, the original owner took the vehicle to a Ford dealership more that one year ago on May 18, 2006 for an electrical recall (05S28, cruise control) and they should have and could have also fixed the defective gasket at that time, which would have prevented my total engine failure from ever happening... but they didn't. Ford's failure to fix all recalled defects on 5/18/06 was inexcusable. Ford owes me a new engine!

- Ocean Springs, MS, USA

1997 Ford F150 4.2L engine - thrown rod/ cruise control fire possibilites.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

'97 Ford F-150 4.2L V-6, lower intake gaskets failed, leading to hydrolocked engine. I have read hundreds of instances of this happening. Truck is now inoperable.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

F150 Ford right side upper head gasket failure.

- Sebastian, FL, USA

I bought a 1997 Ford XL V-6 4X4 from noller Ford in topeka, ks brand new. I was told this V-6 engine was the greatest thing ever invented by Ford. I noticed that about every oil change I had to top off the coolant. I called topeka Ford about this approximately 6 months after I drove the truck--I was told it was normal for this motor. I took their word. My son is in the military at nellis afb in las vegas Nevada. He drove my truck there and called me last night saying the motor locked up.(it has about 112,000 miles on it) I called the las vegas Ford dealership and talked with fernando and he informed me that there was nothing wrong with the Ford V-6---please look into this!!!! I then called a former Ford mechanic and asked him what my son could do---he stated that Ford had many problems with the V-6 and most was due to some head gasket problems (or something like that) and many people have had their engines seize up due to this. I have read several websites with a lot of people having the same complaint as I do---why doesn't Ford step-up" I have bought quite a few Ford but if they choose not to fix this problem, this will be the last one. Some Ford owners have had Ford send them a recall notice for the gasket issue---why haven't I???? my son is due to be deployed to iraq soon and he shouldn't have to worry about what will happen to this truck. He does not have the money to fix it, nor do I---fernando was quick to point out that for $4000 it could be fixed, I asked how he came up with a figure that fast and he refused to answer my question----what does that tell you??"--this has happened to other people on a regular basis!!!

- Hiawatha, KS, USA

1997 Ford 150 V6 4.2 L engine failure, never received notification from Ford about lower intake gasket recall, or the recall on the front cover gasket. Both defects cause engine failure by hydrostatic lock, bending or breaking the connecting rod(s) in 1 or more cylinders.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

11/16/2005 ~ go in for a routine oil and lube. Attendant gives me details, I have air filter replaced and coolant added because it was low. 2/23/2006 ~ go in for my routine oil and lube. I ask the attendant to look at the coolant, I tell him that it keeps getting low. Sure enough he comes back and lets me know its very low, did I want to put coolant in it. 4/28/2006 ~ I go to my 97 F-150 to head out to an interview, shirt and tie, cup of coffee and paperwork in hand. Put the key in the ignition and it wont turn over. It isn't the "battery is dead" won't turn over, its a "I want turn over but I can't" over and I call my mechanic. He arrives and gets out his jumpers to see if it is a dead battery. We look at the starter, electrical everything and can't seem to figure it out. He says to me, "you don't have very low or little coolant, put some in the resevoir" he asks me if I noticed anything odd, any hesitation the previous day, I tell him no, I literally drove 3 miles to go to the market and that was it for driving that day. He asks me to put it in reverse and we try and push it backwards to turn the motor over. It won't budge, at this point he says there has to be something in the cylinder(s), gas, water, oil, something and we'll pull the plugs and see what comes out. We pulled the plugs and coolant came pouring out of cylinder #2. I have pictures etc of the coolant and plugs. I found there are many people having issues identical to this within the same timbering of mileage and even the same cylinder. forums.treemedia.com/fb/showthread.php"T=224 www.Ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php"T=473230 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ford_essex_V6_engine_(Canadian)#4.2 my mechanic is now pricing a complete gasket kit and will need to take the motor apart to fix the problem. The motor sounds as if it is ok and we are going to try to remedy the gasket situation and see if we can't get it to run normally.

- Van Nuys, CA, USA

Bought a 1997 F-150 used in 2001 with 62,000 miles on it. I have put less than 15,000 miles on the vehicle in the 4.5 years I have owned it and changed the oil twice. I had noticed in the past that I would have to fill up the coolant, but could not find a leak. I also had problems with the heat going in and out. Went to start the truck and it shook and came to a stop. Started it again and there is now an awful banging/knock. I believe to be a rod or other internal part. Have not had the problem diagnosed by a professional, but after reading the forums on the Ford 4.2 liter engines I feel confident that I can self diagnose the problem as having to do with the coolant leak problems. I have not ran the engine and have not had the money to fix it or replace it. I can't believe the number of people that have had the some problem, symptoms, and outcome as me. They have to number in the hundreds-thousands. Ford should not be able to get away with this and have to be full aware of the problems with their 4.2 motor. There needs to be a class action suit and a recall. On behalf of all the F-150 owners who have had this problem we need help to resolve this. Thanks for your consideration and please inform me if anything happens or can be done as I have not found anything as far as a class action suit against Ford.

- Little River, SC, USA

Spark plug blew out while running. I have only had the plugs changed once by the Ford dealer. I have read on the Ford F150 forums that this is very common on the 5.4 engine as they have very few threads holding the plug in. I am told Ford fixed the problem in 2002 but has not recalled the earlier trucks.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

I have a 1997 Ford F-150 with 60,800 miles on it and the motor started knocking. I took it to the dealership and they told me I needed a new engine. The cost was more than the truck was worth. I had the truck in the shop 3 years ago for a water leak that was coming from the front of the motor. The truck had 36,000 miles on it and the dealership ask me if the mileage was right on the truck. I told them when I bought the truck and the couldn't believe I was having this problem.

- Wake Village, TX, USA

1. loss of engine coolant 2.engine damage knocking coolant in combustion chambers, engine knocking loss of oil pressure from defective gaskets, 3.Ford will not fix problem.

- Elyria, OH, USA

Bent or broken connecting rod, due to coolant leak.

- West Yarmouth, MA, USA

I'll have a 1997 Ford F150 for no reason my motor blew a rod I'll read in the internet about a lot of people having the same problem the motor are defect, isn't Ford dealer during anything about it. This is not right I'll went to work in my truck came home from work, 3-hours later started my truck the engine knock continues to bang, I turn it off I was told that the truck blew a rod. This is very on fair I can't afford a another car. Please advise. Thanks you.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Lower intake manifold in 4.2L V6 (Ford F150) failed (melted) allowing coolant to leak into a cylinder resulting in hydro-lock. The piston and connecting rod in that cylinder were damaged (piston skirt broken, rod bent). Since then I have learned that Ford has been aware of this problem almost since the truck was new ('97) and refused to provide any support to owners except where the gasket failed during the regular warranty period. As I understand it failure is inevitable, and even so Ford did not make an attempt to contact owners regarding this problem. In my case Ford's refusal to provide a warning of this problem turned a relatively inexpensive repair (replacement of the gasket) into over $1300 in parts and labor.

- Denver, PA, USA

Leaking front gasket and/or intake gasket caused engine failure on a 1997 Ford pickup V6 4.2. I was not advise at no time of this potential problem and paid for the gasket repairs myself. Only now after a major failure have I learned about the Ford tsb 99-20-7 and/or on P99B29 and the dealer is leaving me stranded. I'm disabled, and nearly broke. Also later in this form I don't know what oem is.

- Cambridge, MD, USA

1997 Ford F-150 4.2L V-6 truck starting knocking this morning when I went to start the motor. 60,000 miles and the engine has lost all oil pressure and is knocking terribly. I used it 2 days ago and this morning it's broken. Happened while sitting under the carport over night. Probably the all familiar leaking gaskets that has plagued every 4.2L V-6 Ford owner.

- Prairieville, LA, USA

I have a 97 Ford 150 with a 4.2 V6 that has hydro locked. I am still making payments on this truck. I have not yet fixed it I am trying to find a good price on a new motor.

- Mound, MN, USA

4.2 L engine busting rods.

- Satsuma, FL, USA