2 days after having the timing cover replaced on my truck, I spun a bearing (sound familiar to anyone?)
I found a used 99 4.2 out of a wreck with only 25k miles. It is almost done and I hope to have my truck back by Mon or Tues. The clutch is also being replaced while the engine is out.
Now for my beef
1) The first shop I took the truck to have the timing cover replaced, did a lousy job. They broke the cover and tried to fix it with jb weld(I was not informed of this, I found out while switching the covers to my new engine), they stripped the A/C bracket bolt that secures to the head and stripped the head, oil pan bolts, 1 missing, 1 loose, and gasket material found in the oil pickup tube. Does anyone agree that I should get my money back?

2) Since Ford was having so many trucks leaking at the timing cover (enough that they had a recall), shouldn't any truck with this type of leak be reapired or covered by Ford? Yes my engine had a lot of mileage, but Ford apparently knew of a potential problem here. The leak was so slight as not to be noticable until it was way to late. I believe that Ford should be responsible for their product as I would expect anyone to be.
Shoot, I had a dental bridge chip and its being replaced no questions asked!

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97 F-150XL 4.2V6, 5 spd, 2wdlb, Kenwood cd, MTX 4ch amp, MTX 12"sub, MTX components in doors

Future 16x8 Daytona wheels, 265/75 tires, rhinoliner, perf stuff

 

I think we need a count of the people who have had this trouble (me included), and pressure Ford into standing behind their product. They claim "Quality is Job One" but they have the shortest warranty in the automotive business. Obviously they don't build a quality product.
Their (Ford) big thing is that if you don't take it to a dealership for repair, they say that nothing is wrong with the engine. If you take it to a dealership and are the original owner they say "yes" ther is a problem with that engine and if you buy the extended warranty we will pay for up to 80% of the repair cost.
You shouldn't feel bad though...I only got 59,000 miles before mine blew. I had it in in February because I couldn't figure where the coolant kept disappearing too. Sound familiar ?

 

i had 56000 on mine when it was repaired under warranty... i didnt even buy my truck from a ford dealer...just went in and told them i needed to make an appt for the recall and everything was taken care of... this was over about a year ago..but no probs getting mine taken care of

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97 f150 xlt SuperCab 4.2L, Auto, K&N Air Filter,Captain's Chairs, Magnum Bug Deflector, GTS Headlite Covers, AVS Slotted Tailite Covers, AVS Window Deflectors, Ford Bedliner, Ford Blanket ( Thanks Raoul )


"Just FORD It"

 

lew b glad to hear your truck was taken care of. I didn't buy mine from a ford dealer either. when i took it in to a ford dealer to be checked, they actually tried to tell me they didn't know anything about the recall, even when i gave them the service number! when i took it to a merc dealer I found out that yes i there was a recall, but that my truck didn't have the right VIN. Really ticked me off because I have seen a few people on this board with the same problem of not being covered for the same leak causing the same problem! This is my first F150. I was a die-hard chev and jeep fan for many years. Don't get me wrong, I love my truck, but ford's service has a lot to be desired. Chev can be the same way. My wife has a 99 venture with a bad lifter. the dealer thought he could "fix" it with an oil change! Just goes to show ya were the service in this country is now!

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97 F-150XL 4.2V6, 5 spd, 2wdlb, Kenwood cd, MTX 4ch amp, MTX 12"sub, MTX components in doors

Future 16x8 Daytona wheels, 265/75 tires, rhinoliner, perf stuff

 

i had mine done right after I bought it from the dealership.
They did'nt really give me any hassles and so far so good 20k later

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97 F150 XLT: Two-Tone Green and Tan, V6 4.2L Auto Trans 4X4, 3.55 gears, 265/75/16 Dueler AT's, Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks
MODS:Airaid FIPK, Superchip, Ravin Z55 Exhaust SI/SO
GOODIES:Kameleon Head Unit w/12 disk cd changer, JVC 4ch 560watt poweramp, Bazooka Tube, Boston Acoustic 5x9's, Tinted Back, Westin Nerf Bars..

 

I have been hearing from people that have had the recall done that sometimes they leave gasket material in the oil afterwards. So the best thing you can do for cheap insurance is to go get an oil change IMMEDIATELY. If there is any gasket material in the oil that the filter didnt catch an oil change will surely help. As soon as I got mine home I drained the oil and put a new filter on.
Hope this tip keeps someone from having engine trouble later.

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1997 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2L V6, 5spd, Superchipped, '99 Lightning Grill, '99 XLT White Bumper w/Fog Light Kit, K&N Air Filter, Dash Mat, Clear Corner Lenses, Clear Tailights, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Painted Tailgate Handle, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.
"If you're in control, you're going too slow."--Mario Andretti

 

I had mine replaced about a month ago under the timing recall, at the local Lincoln dealer, with no questions asked. I don't know if it has anything with different service departments or what. Mine had around 56,000 on it when it went.
GOOD LUCK

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97 std. long bed
cat back
2-4 Ground Force drop
6-way power adjust seats
w/power lumbar
Pioneer in dash CD w/4 100w. 3way Pioneer 6X9's
Pretty plain mono-chrome white. http://troy.f150online.net

 

I just bought a 97 F150 with the 4.2 and 46k on it. Where can I get info on the recall?

 

Just got a call from my mechanic. My new engine is shot. The donor truck was in a front end collision and there seems to be some interanl damage. Maybe the balancer or cam, but more than likely the crank. Talk about depression! The engine is under warranty, but that doesn't cover the labor fees!

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97 F-150XL 4.2V6, 5 spd, 2wdlb, Kenwood cd, MTX 4ch amp, MTX 12"sub, MTX components in doors

Future 16x8 Daytona wheels, 265/75 tires, rhinoliner, perf stuff

 

hey guys, its time you try a different mechanics shop. dont go to these local garages for warranty work or anything because the local garages usually end up getting screwed by the warranty company so they dont care so they go get the 13 yr old out back to do the repairs. try a highend store sometime, maybe you will pay a little more but most repairs at these shops are covered under warranties, so if you have a problem, and it was caused by them, they will fix it to save face. the best thing to do with those shops though is call the dealer and get prices and see if they are gonna screw you or try to keep you as a customer. dont get me wrong about this whole deal, im not trying to say that independant shops wont do this, if i had my own shop i would, listen a whole lot of stuff we are trying to sell you is a list of stuff you might actually need. stuff like fuel filters, and tranny services and crap, dont fall for that every time, just every 15000 miles. and serpentine belts, listen to us on this one, those belts are bad! plus the coolant flush, do that at least once a year.
or twice like me
and ask them to check the brakes when rotating the tires. it helps you know how much to save up for a brake job because a proper brake job is what you want to pay for, not just some pad slapping. have the oil changed every 3000 miles or sooner, i do mine every 1000
so, just keep up with your trucks maintenance schedule. it can be costly sometimes, and it can be cheap most of the time. and watch those tires. they can be the number one cause of an alignment problem
tires pull hard when they start to get worn, also shocks can wear your tires out,
and change your pcv valve

 

Had my leaky cover(coolant) fixed at 23K now has 45K and no problems other than a very small oil leak.

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His: 1997 XL, Flareside,Red,4.2
V-6,Auto,Am-Fm W/ CD,K&N,
Flowmaster,Chrome Westin Nerf Bars,
Chrome Bed Rails, Class 3 Hitch.
Hers:1999 XLT Sport,Flareside,Black,
4.2 V-6,Auto,Am-Fm W/CD,
K&N, Flowmaster,Snuglid,
Factory Running Boards,Class 3 Hitch.

 

Superfreak,
Not sure exactly what your point is in your post. I took my truck to a local supposedly reputable shop. As far as having a 13 year old kid fix it, don't think so. The guy they put on my truck was their best.
Sometimes we live and learn. I haven't had much experience with these newer Ford engines and that is the ONLY reason I did not do the work myself. I have been working with the second shop a lot and learning about these engines. I am now confident that I could do the owrk myself. What I find aggrivating is that finding aftermarket internal parts is nearly impossible! Ford seems to have a corner on these things and we are the ones stuck in the corner! The 97 4.2 has a problem and Ford is only willing to admit partial responsiblity for its own poor design and workmanship! If I would provide Ford with the same quality steel, they would be demanding retribution! They would be charging for seperating parts or the line being down. Now when the consumer goes to them or a group, they (along with other manufactures) deny having a problem or responsibility! Its like the drunk that wants to sue the bar because he was involved in an accident!
I know this post is long and has strayed from its orignal path. Sorry. When someone tells me that I must take the responsibilty for someone elses work, I don't think so! If I had not maintained my truck, I could understand. If I abused my truck, I could even understand.
I don't change my oil every 1000 miles(that is ridicoulsy extensive) I do change it every 3000 miles, rotate the tires, have changed out the gear oils, check the brakes, and anything else needed by a FORD service manual

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97 F-150XL 4.2V6, 5 spd, 2wdlb, Kenwood cd, MTX 4ch amp, MTX 12"sub, MTX components in doors

Future 16x8 Daytona wheels, 265/75 tires, rhinoliner, perf stuff

 

Well, after 2 trips to the dealer over the past 6 months asking them to find the source of the mysterious little puddle on my driveway and being told that we can't find anything.......The timing cover gasket is being replaced on my 97 tomorrow. Was told by the dealer that my VIN was NOT covered under the recall.....Does anyone know which 4.2L's were and weren't covered?

They tried to stick me with a $650+ bill. After much complaining (only 33K miles!!!) and a call to Ford Customer Service, they agreed to pick up 80%.

Disgusting thing is that my last payment is due in 2 weeks.....Based on what I've read here, sounds like I should bail.