I have a 97 F-150 with a 5-spd and 60,000 miles. Over the winter i noticed a small amount of coolant weepage under the front end in the morning. Had to top off coolant level w/ a quart every 2 weeks. Took it to the dealer to have it looked at. Turns out it was a seal behind the front cover. The seal cost me $20, the labor was almost $400! Turns out Ford had a service bulletin out for the V-6 made up to 12/31/96 to replace this free. (this includes cars as well) My truck was made on 1/31/97, 30 days out of the envelope and to date they have not covered it. Has anyone else had similar issues? Were you able to get Ford to extend their coverage to your truck?

 

Mike,

Thanks for the suggestion. When i asked about speaking to someone they referred me to customer service, who basically read me the policy and had no authority to make a decision. They were polite and professional but didn't give me any suggestions other than wait and see if Ford extends the recall window.

Since i had this repair done another problem has occurred that will require a replacement engine, so my ~$400 repair will be thrown away with the old engine. I haven't been able to get any information yet concerning the cause of this new issue. I am wondering if it is related to the seal problem. I don't want to sound like a whiner, i love the truck and Ford is making me an offer on the replacement engine that i can't refuse. i am just curious...

 

Dear kwerman,

I have a suggestion for you. Please ask your dealership for the name & telephone number of their Ford "Zone Rep". Call that person and discuss this with them, as they have the authority to authorize a repair like this, and they should do it if what you posted here is essentially correct. Every Ford dealership has a Ford Zone Representative, who serves as the liason between the dealership and the automaker, and is there to solve problems like this.

And please let us know what happens, ok?

Good luck!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

HI kwerman,

As long as you're happy with how you're being treated now, that's fine. My concern was giving you advice on how to get Ford to pay for that repair, as it seems they should in that situation, I've seen this happen before, so that's why I responded.

Good luck!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Mike,

The replacement engine is because of something else, (or is it?) I was hoping to get my $400 back from the repair that should have been covered because it is the exact problem they were addressing. I'll know more as soon as the engine situation gets taken care of. I appreciate your help and i will contact the zone rep.

Ken

 

Not sure if this will help but I too have a 1997 4.2L truck. Anyway one winter playing in the snow on Mount-shefford as I got stuck on a snowbank (3 feet tall, plus ice my truck had all 4 wheels up in the air...) To get out I shovled (sp?) all the snow/ice from under the truck. While taking out the pack snow I noticed green snow under the front. I though ohoh I must have done something wrong?

Wow talk about "blabber mouth" So, I went to my Ford dealer and they did the recall no charge. Later I received the recall notice; it did mention that if the repair was fixed prior to the notice than Ford would pay for the Bill.

Well good luck and I hope you can get all this resovled...

SG

 

I had the problem with leaking coolant also. The timing chain covers were torqued on to tight. The gasket was sticking out on the top left side about a 1/2" The aluminum and iron touching caused the block to rust at an accelerated rate. This is the explanation I got. Mine too started leaking at 60K miles. Pissed me off to no end. I baby my truck and change the oil every 3k miles. Anyway,I had a local mechanic fix it for $186. But, he did not fix it right. Lucky for me the recall notice was out. So, this time it is on Ford. I had a (for once) good experince at my dealer. I was honest and told them my problem. They said the would fix it right at no charge. And I got my truck back in two days. I just hope something else does not go wrong!

------------------
1997 F-150 XL, 4.2L 5spd
Mods: 16x8 Centerline wheels, Flowmaster, K&N, tint, alarm, billet grille, carpet, Kenwood CD w/Infinity speakers, 60/40 seats.
Coming soon: 285/60 GY Tires

 

Kirby,

Is wrote a huge reply, but it sounded like whinning, so i deleted it. So i'll let you know how it works out instead.


------------------
1997 F-150, 4.2, 5 spd, K&N Filter,
Antique Engine Collector and Restorer
1920 6 hp Fairbanks Morse
1915 1 3/4 hp Associated

 

Search the "Engines" section. There was a problem in 97 with the gasket up there where you had your leak. The problem was that coolant got in the engine oil and ruined the engine.

 

Dear kwerman,

Obviously this has affected a lot of other owners too from the posts here, and apparently Ford issued a recall notice for this. Based on that, I would suggest speaking to the Zone Rep, and try to get them to reimburse you for that repair if possible.

Good luck,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Hey Kirby,

When are you gonna come hang out with the Texas Chapter D/FW guys?

------------------

Patrick aka Mudder or MR.Daylighter of Arlington Texas (D/FW), member of the Texas Chapter club DAYLIGHTER edition F150 ®, Black 98 S/S S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 3.55ls, Ramsey Pro 8000 hidden winch, Grizzly roll bar, Superwhite Bulbs, 2 Baja back up lights, 8 165 watt KC Daylighters, 4 chrome, 4 black (I come alive at night), Manik grille guard, Westin step bars, Rhino Taillight guards (thanks Pony), Magnum bug shield, Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, Airaid High Flow system, Edelbrock IAS shocks, 285/75/16 BFG AT/S KO, American Racing Baja wheels, Cobra CB radio with 3' whip antenna, Escort Laser/Radar detector, Nokia cell phone, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, a F150 Online sticker, and a DAYLIGHTER sticker on the front windshield, and yes, I also have been infected with the infamous door crack. More to come for the Daylighting machine: JBA headers, superchip, and a Lighted Ford tailgate logo. If you would like to see pics, email me at mudder46@hotmail.com or see pics at me and pony's website www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8 , and to hear the Flowmaster exhaust http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8/images/T005.wav
Mr.Daylighter "Go ahead, flash your brights at me, see what happens"
Also the Moderator of the Ford Trucks vs. GM trucks forum over on fordvschevy.com so check it out.
Check out the Toughest SOB in the WWF crush the Rock's Lincoln: http://www.amta.net/files/sc-2.avi
OH HELL YEAH!

I am the brightest around, and that's the bottom line, so take your little Piaa's or Hellas and get out of here.



[This message has been edited by mudder (edited 04-19-2000).]