Have had my truck about two months, 1997 f150 extended cab 4.2/5spd with 195,000 miles.
About two weeks after buying it, I started it up one morning and it stumbled and stuttered, with a billowing white smoke coming out the tailpipe wich cleared up after a few seconds. I instantly beleived that this was the water in the cylinder thing that I have read many times on this site. I drove it, and everything seemed fine. I can find no external water leaks, and I filled the overflow bottle to a definate level and have been monitoring it closely every day. I do not appear to be losing any water. Today, though, when I started it up(about two weeks after the first incident), it shuttered a little bit then started right up again, but I did not notice the smoke this time.
Does this sound like the water leak thing, or can it be something else. Is there a fool proof way to tell, and would you all recommend the dealer testing it, or a good local mechanic?
Thanks! Jim

 

Ouch - touchy subject. With miles that high and without knowing the history behind your truck, it very well can be the intake gaskets. For peace of mind I would replace the intake gaskets and timing chain cover gasket. And I wouldn't wait. My guess is that your probably leaking only a little and closer to one particular cylinder. A pressure test may or may not show it. The leaks didn't show up in my 97 when I had the system checked. The dealer locked up the motor two days after I traded it. When I picked up my 2001, the 97 was in the shop for a rebuild.

Remember, every time you start your truck, you are at risk of hydrolocking your engine. And the coolant leaching into your oil is attacking the bearings as you read this. So go change your gaskets, right now.

 

Yep,crashz is correct! You better replace them ASAP!

 

Hi there Jim
wow been a little over a year for me lol.
But still fresh in my mind.
It sounds like a slight washing down of one cylinder .
I had same problem, but mine was constant. The best advice
I could give you is stop driving it now!! and have it checked and fixed, its going to be the lower intake.
I caught mine pretty fast but when I tore it down the cylinder that
had the issue was very prevelant.
Also if you are a little mechanically inclined, not to bad of a job to do with a hanes manual

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess after about an hour on this forum it is a no brainer what is going on with my truck! Thanks for confirming. I have been driving it to work every day and I have noticed it is getting worse. It has started to stumble a little bit every morning when I start it up. Of course, once it is warmed up and I guess the water burned out, it starts fine. I have plans on getting the gaskets done next week. Every time I crank it I pucker! Plan on getting the EGR ports cleaned while the intake is off. Anything else I should have done at the same time? Thanks. Jim

 

One of these mornings it is gonna be a full cylinder instead of just a trace and then it will hydrolock, then its ugly. the sooner the better

 

IF YOU OWN A 1997 OR 1998 FORD WITH A 4.2 PLEASE VISIT [url]WWW.LEAKINGFORDS.COM
MIGHT SAVE YOU BIG MONEY--IF YOUR ENGINE HAS ALREADY HYDROLOCKED PLEASE SEND ME YOUR NAME, VEHICLE INFO AND MILAGE WHEN IT DIED--THANKS-

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