I was wondering what you guys felt the life expectancy of 4.2 V6 would happen to be. I am looking at a 1998 F-150 STX V6 which has 250000 kms or 155 350 miles and was wondering how long do these V6's usually last for. I don't know how the guy before drove it, but i plan on doing some serious grandpa driving with it myself and keeping up with the oil changes and all that good stuff. Thanks in advance

Here is a pic:

Or Internet post:
http://london.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehic...QAdIdZ15387756

 

They are pretty darn good engines that are known for lasting quite a long time. As long as it runs well now, and has had regular maintenance you should get a lot more usage out of her.

 

The bad ones I've seen go at 100k from rod problem. The rest kept going over 200k. I serviced a fleet of 98s to 01s that had several.

 

I got my '99 up to 103k before I traded it. I still kick myself in the ***** for doing it.

Why, because I bought a brand new Escape and it left me standed 12 times total by 30k on the backlighted odometer (which needed the backlight bulb replaced twice).

Now I'm back home with a new '07 with the 4.2 and I feel confident again in my Ford. I no longer have to call it, "Fix or Repair Daily"... it's got a new name... "The Flying Brick". LOL

 

What about the leaky intake gasket issues? I believe 98's were affected.

 

The gasket problem was '97s and only the early '98s.

FWIW, my '99 has about 118,000 miles and runs fine. I change the oil every 5,000 miles and it burns less than 1/2 a quart between changes.

 

A friend of mine has a '98 6cyl F150 that he uses for his telephone and datacom business. It has over 320,000 miles on it and he still uses it every day. The only major repairs came after the 300,000 mile mark; there were two: a few exhaust manifold studs broke and the transmission was replaced. Until then it was only fluid and filter changes and brakes.

That's a heck of a truck!

Oh, all of his instrument panel backlight bulbs have burned out, too!

 

Might be a good idea to check the build date on the truck and do a little research - and see if a repair record is available.

 

This is all good to hear as I have a 1997 F150 4X4 4.2L with 97K right now. runs good. Would LOVE to put a 302 in it someday if it would fit. I think all engines will give you the most they have if you take good care of them. Change the oil...use them but don't abuse them.

Not related but I still have a 1986 Bronco II with 2.9L V6 manual 5speed OD with 136K on it. Gets around 17MPG (hunting rig) Not driving at the moment but will be again soon.

 

How do you manage this?

 

Well... I do by having to make a monthly payment... my '99 was payed off by '01.

Hopefully I'll pay off my '07 just as quickly.

 

If they are going to go, it will happen between 80K-100K. The rod bearing will make a noise to cause you to believe you own a desiel when you start it in the morning..........My '97 Explorer began talking to me at 81k so I dumped it on a dealer for my new '07 F150FX4.

 

The Explorer does not use the same V6 as the F-150. Totally different block. The Explorer is a 4.0 liter Cologne 60 degree V6, the F-150 is a 4.2 liter Essex 90 degree V6.

 

before i got the truck in my sig i had an 01 4.2L V6 F-150 reg cab.....BEST TRUCK I HAVE EVER DRIVEN....it had a very hard life as well, my dad got it in 00' for his business, he owns a paver installment business, tons of bricks have been dumped into the bed over its lifetime, there are dents all over from all sorts of construction equipment, the bed was used soo MUCH that the bed liner had been torn away from all the rugged **** put into it's bed, now from knowing the guys that work at one of my dad's office, it has not been maintained to the manuals specifications, my dad gave it to me as my first vehicle, my friends always made fun of me for driving it(they called it a beater truck) but i just laughed that i had 3 to 4 times their mileage(235k+) and they were breaking down periodicly, the ride was still smooth, engine started all of the time, it was quicker than my truck i have now, this is why i love ford trucks, you give them everything and they still come back for more, my girlfriend hated the thing, but i LOVED it, i wish i had a picture of it, i will try to see where my dad shipped it to and see if i can see if it is still running since it is still in the business

despite being a V6 it can pull a lot more than people think, it won't win any truck pull but i have put at least 1350lbs of bricks in the back of it and it pulled great, also have towed my friends 17ft whaler and my other friend's two quads and had the same results

i highly recommend the 4.2L V6 equiped F-150 to anyone from my experience

GOD I LOVED THAT TRUCK-the reason i have the truck in my sig now is cause it has 4x4 and holds more people and looks more presentable, but if i had to pick over reliability i would without a thought pick the V6, yet my truck now is very reliable as is with 102k on it and me beating it up off-roading

you should be happy with the V6

 

You put a tear to my eye when I read that... Excellent write up.

Exactly how I talk about my '99 and so far my '07.