Any 97-98 4.2 L problems?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 85
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lets try to get back on topic
Harley#365 my mom and i both have 97s with the 4.6 and they are great!!!! mine has 48,xxx and hers 42,xxx (we don't get out much LoL) and no problems yet. good luck finding one with a 5-speed. i looked and looked and couldn't find one. the auto isn't all that bad. try to get one with the 3.55 gears and it will haul azz. mine has the 3.08
its alright but just dosn't have enough pep. anyway good luck in the search 
Harley#365 my mom and i both have 97s with the 4.6 and they are great!!!! mine has 48,xxx and hers 42,xxx (we don't get out much LoL) and no problems yet. good luck finding one with a 5-speed. i looked and looked and couldn't find one. the auto isn't all that bad. try to get one with the 3.55 gears and it will haul azz. mine has the 3.08
its alright but just dosn't have enough pep. anyway good luck in the search
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 0
Harley,
I just bought a 98 4.6 last August and it has been a very good truck. It has developed the door crack issue that I am not sure you have heard about, which yours probably get eventually buy one, but it does not affect the truck in a major way from what I have heard. Also, there is the piston slap issue in some engines, mine does not have it, at least that I have seen so far, and if this bothers you, then you will want to look for one that does not have it. There are links to articles on the front page of F150online on the right side of the page that describe both of these issues, the door crack and the piston slap issue. Here is a clip from the piston slap one that may help you. You can read the rest of the articles in the links on the main page. Sounds like a good daily driver that you are looking for. I looked for a long while for my truck and am very satisfied with it except for the door crack, but have learned to live with it. Good luck on the search. Hope that I helped you if you did not already know about these issues. Here is the clip from the article:
What causes piston slap?
Ø According to Ford, the noise is a result of "piston to bore clearance" issues
Will it affect the expected life of my engine?
Ø Ford claims that the problem will not affect the life of the engine. They claim they have thoroughly tested engines with PS ("hundreds of thousands of miles" according to one source) since the issue arose and have had no failures. One F-150 member has over 100,000 miles on his PS engine and it works just fine. No failures from PS have been reported by members and Ford claims they have had none either.
What engines does it affect?
Ø It has been estimated that anywhere between (1 in 500) and (1in 2000) engines will develop this problem
Ø Only 4.6, 5.4 and 6.8L engines built in Windsor, Canada have the problem.
Ø All 5.4 and 6.8L engines are built in Windsor Canada
Ø 4.6L engines built in Romeo Michigan do NOT have PS
How can I tell where my engine is made?
Ø All 5.4 and 6.8L engines are built in Windsor Canada
Ø 4.6L engines are built in Windsor or Romeo
Ø If the 8th position in your VIN is a "6" then your 4.6L engine was built in Windsor, Canada
Ø If the 8th position in your VIN is a "W" then your 4.6L engine was built in Romeo, Michigan
Ø You can also look at the label on the valve cover (driver's side of your engine bay). It will tell you where your engine was made (Windsor or Romeo), as well as the build date.
What is the likelihood of getting piston slap?
Ø It has been estimated that anywhere between (1 in 500) and (1in 2000) 97-99 engines will develop PS Source: member
How long does it take for PS to show up in my engine?
Ø Very often it shows up in the first few months of operation (as early as 3 weeks) , and less than 20,000 miles, however it has shown up/ been diagnosed at late as 28,000 miles
I just bought a 98 4.6 last August and it has been a very good truck. It has developed the door crack issue that I am not sure you have heard about, which yours probably get eventually buy one, but it does not affect the truck in a major way from what I have heard. Also, there is the piston slap issue in some engines, mine does not have it, at least that I have seen so far, and if this bothers you, then you will want to look for one that does not have it. There are links to articles on the front page of F150online on the right side of the page that describe both of these issues, the door crack and the piston slap issue. Here is a clip from the piston slap one that may help you. You can read the rest of the articles in the links on the main page. Sounds like a good daily driver that you are looking for. I looked for a long while for my truck and am very satisfied with it except for the door crack, but have learned to live with it. Good luck on the search. Hope that I helped you if you did not already know about these issues. Here is the clip from the article:
What causes piston slap?
Ø According to Ford, the noise is a result of "piston to bore clearance" issues
Will it affect the expected life of my engine?
Ø Ford claims that the problem will not affect the life of the engine. They claim they have thoroughly tested engines with PS ("hundreds of thousands of miles" according to one source) since the issue arose and have had no failures. One F-150 member has over 100,000 miles on his PS engine and it works just fine. No failures from PS have been reported by members and Ford claims they have had none either.
What engines does it affect?
Ø It has been estimated that anywhere between (1 in 500) and (1in 2000) engines will develop this problem
Ø Only 4.6, 5.4 and 6.8L engines built in Windsor, Canada have the problem.
Ø All 5.4 and 6.8L engines are built in Windsor Canada
Ø 4.6L engines built in Romeo Michigan do NOT have PS
How can I tell where my engine is made?
Ø All 5.4 and 6.8L engines are built in Windsor Canada
Ø 4.6L engines are built in Windsor or Romeo
Ø If the 8th position in your VIN is a "6" then your 4.6L engine was built in Windsor, Canada
Ø If the 8th position in your VIN is a "W" then your 4.6L engine was built in Romeo, Michigan
Ø You can also look at the label on the valve cover (driver's side of your engine bay). It will tell you where your engine was made (Windsor or Romeo), as well as the build date.
What is the likelihood of getting piston slap?
Ø It has been estimated that anywhere between (1 in 500) and (1in 2000) 97-99 engines will develop PS Source: member
How long does it take for PS to show up in my engine?
Ø Very often it shows up in the first few months of operation (as early as 3 weeks) , and less than 20,000 miles, however it has shown up/ been diagnosed at late as 28,000 miles
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Scott AFB, Illinois
any problems? well sure, but....
I had the 4.2 a while back and noticed the coolant leak. Hating leaks as I do, I went ahead and bought the water pump and timing chain cover gaskets from my local dealer. Following the Haynes manual, the replacement took approx. 8 hrs, 3 gallons of iced tea, and three skinned knuckles. Add to that the beautiful weather and the expert assistance of my, then, 4-year old daughter. All-in-all an outstanding day!
The only bummer was that when I received the notice that Ford would reimburse the cost of repair, I had already thrown away the receipts.
I really loved that truck! It was an XL Flareside, had the 5-speed, 3.05 rear-end and bench seat in front. I put in bucket seats, carpet, tinted the windows, got the bed sprayed, flowmaster muff underneath, K&N airfilter, 8mm plug wires, upgraded the sound system, dropped it 2" on all four corners and installed a blue dome light.
That was one great truck! I never had a problem other than that darn leak. I rue the day I sold it when I got orders to Germany.
I'll be going back to the states in 1 year and will definitely be looking for another.
The only bummer was that when I received the notice that Ford would reimburse the cost of repair, I had already thrown away the receipts.
I really loved that truck! It was an XL Flareside, had the 5-speed, 3.05 rear-end and bench seat in front. I put in bucket seats, carpet, tinted the windows, got the bed sprayed, flowmaster muff underneath, K&N airfilter, 8mm plug wires, upgraded the sound system, dropped it 2" on all four corners and installed a blue dome light.
That was one great truck! I never had a problem other than that darn leak. I rue the day I sold it when I got orders to Germany.
I'll be going back to the states in 1 year and will definitely be looking for another.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Wisconsin(for now)
Ordered my '97 on 1-1-97 and picked it up 2-13-97(The Captains chairs are hard to find in a standard cab.)
4.2L V-6
At 55,000 Ford fixed the front engine seal for $50. About 154,000 noticed a carmel color substance on the underside of the oil cap. Put radiator sealer and that fixed the head gasket problem. At 156,000 the front seal went again.
The V-6 is a great performer. Mine never burned any oil. Still burned rubberwith 150,000+ but just happened to get one of the V-6's with all the seal problems.
I plan on keeping the truck so I sprung for the $3,000+ remanufactured long block from Ford. Besides, I had already replaced the IMRC(125,000 miles) and shotgun replaced ignition coil, throttle position sensor, emissions blowby, battery, EGR valve(all at about 110,000 miles)
4.2L V-6
At 55,000 Ford fixed the front engine seal for $50. About 154,000 noticed a carmel color substance on the underside of the oil cap. Put radiator sealer and that fixed the head gasket problem. At 156,000 the front seal went again.
The V-6 is a great performer. Mine never burned any oil. Still burned rubberwith 150,000+ but just happened to get one of the V-6's with all the seal problems.
I plan on keeping the truck so I sprung for the $3,000+ remanufactured long block from Ford. Besides, I had already replaced the IMRC(125,000 miles) and shotgun replaced ignition coil, throttle position sensor, emissions blowby, battery, EGR valve(all at about 110,000 miles)
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
97 4.2
I bought my 97 F150 in November 2002, just after the recall ended. After a few monthes I noticed coolant in my oil and it was intermittantly overheating. I changed the thermostat and fan clutch but it still overheated. The shop I took it to found a leak at the timing chain cover. The cover and gasket was replaced. The overheating continued as did the coolant leak into the crank. Next I replaced the intake and head gaskets. The leak stopped. I took the truck to a radiator shop who found mold clay in the radiator causing a restriction. That was repaired and the overheating ceased. The only problem now is I hear some noise, like a rattling when I as first give it some gas. I think my crankshaft is on its way to destruction. I know its a cool truck but my advice is to if possible buy another year. Oh no not a 97 4.2.
Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Bugtussell, Arkansas
Howdy Dudes,
I've got a '97 Flareside, bright red, 4.2 w/ 5-speed and 135,000 miles. No problems except lifter rattle. That is until I over reved it in 2nd gear and throw a rod.
But that was my fault.
Almost got it back together w/ a '99 4.2 w/ low miles.
Paul
I've got a '97 Flareside, bright red, 4.2 w/ 5-speed and 135,000 miles. No problems except lifter rattle. That is until I over reved it in 2nd gear and throw a rod.
But that was my fault. Almost got it back together w/ a '99 4.2 w/ low miles.Paul