OK My turn.

AJ. For the most part you do an excellent job at summarizing the problem, good and accurate background, cause and effect info etc.

However I begin to take exception when you then throw in statements such as "they will all fail eventually".

Do you have any idea how many of these V-6s are out there? Do you have any idea how many have failed? Look I'll be the first one to tell you that yes there is a problem with the 97 early 98 engines. I'll be the first to agree that Ford is doing a terible job at dealing with it. The recall was way too narrow.

But there are lots and lots of V-6 (97 and early 98) owners that have had troublefree miles as well. This is not a majority problem. I do agree with your logic that the mileage range of failures will probably bring about a jump up recorded failures.

I concur with your points about Ford. If you feel the problem is bad enough, why not begin a class action suit against Ford? I'm sure an attorney will do it for free considering the windfall they will get if they win a suit of that size.

But to remind you, your engine has not failed. You can't sue based on a future occurence you THINK might happen. If we could sue based on what we THINK might happen in the future, noone would build anything anymore.

I don't blame you or anyone else for being pissed off at Ford for not only the bad design but also the bad way they handle it with the customers.

Ford should, as a pre-emptive thing recall all of these engines and replace the old design gasket with the new design one. Unfortunately for us, Ford has had bigger alligators snapping at them with Firestone and the Explorer, and now the Crown Victoria gastanks. They did address the 3.8 headgasket failures with a massive recall to replace the complete engines failed or not. Maybe they will do the same again for this, but I doubt it. The gasket can be changed relatively cheaply compared to replacing an engine. The consequence of the gasket failure will result in an engine fauilure if they don't.

Let me close by saying I don't work for Ford. I own a truck that DID fail. I know personally of about a dozen others in my travels and have done 4 of the failed engines so far. Ford knows its a problem. But I don't think they began to grasp the scope of the problem until the past year when the incidences of complaints started going up. There is rumors among some of the Ford Service Depts that a recall is being considered.

I have made my living as a mechanic and a service manager (not for Ford). Every make has problems. Some worse than others. The consumer will stop buying a product that doesn't work. The Ford V-6 still works.

I'm not a huge Ford fan, but I do try and keep things in perspective. I own an F-150 right now. I have owned all makes. Hell I am only loyal to me and my wallet. Compare this truck to the other makes and then let your wallet be your guide. Fords are built cheaply. Say what you want about that statement, but remember they also sell more trucks than anyone else.

 

The V-6 is a good solid engine, very reliable, and if properly maintained will last for many many years and miles.

I have owned mine 3rd one for a little over a year now. First one I ever had a problem with and it was a small problem that Ford took care of right away.

It had a leaky head gasket (drivers side) they replaced the head and gasket no problem since.

The problem with any motor be it the V-6 97 or otherwise is the owner doing proper maintance to the motor. This includes checking fluids on a regular basis.

It sucks for some of the guys with the 97 V-6 but the fact of the matter is in my opinion about 99% of their failures can be prevented with preventive maintance to include checking ALL fluid levels on a regular basis be it weekly or daily if need be.

The 97's that fail are because of coolant getting into the motor right? Well if its leaking in the motor would you not NOTICE that your coolant level is low? I mean if its leaking and can not be seen on the ground then it's in the motor or blowing out the exhaust. So if its getting in the motor and you check your fluid levels on a regular basis then you should find:

* Coolant level low
* Engine oil high

If your the type of person that does not like to check your fluids or maintain your truck on a regular basis then you should NOT buy a new truck and buy only a CHEAP USED trucks so when they fail not so much to cry about.

 

I have a V6 with 180,000km. But mine is a reg cab short box.

I don't want to sound mean... but its your fault for buying an undersized engine for you FULL SIZE van.Ford only offers the V6 in that vhicle for CAFE ratings. For a vehicle as heavy as an E150, you need aminimum 4.6.

And for the record, the 3.8 pushrod was a lemon long before it was ever bored out to 4.2 for the F150.

Buyer beware. I bought my V6 with the full understanding that it could blow at any time (which in my case has not)

Are Ford a$$holes for not owning up to this... YES. But own up to making a mistake yourself.

And enjoy your Dodge. And enjoy parting with a lot of money to fix it.

Now if you don't mind, we proud, happy Ford owners need to get back to the number one vehicle sold.

 

180,000 km...what is that in miles?

 

Have fun with your dodge

I bet your heavy *** RAM lasts about 50,000 miles before you start having MAJOR problems. Not to mention that it starts to fall apart as soo as you drive it off the lot. I hate dodges

 

I can honestly say guys i am very disapointed with the choice i made. I really haven't had any problems with it other than the fact that i think the 4.2 is too small for the darn truck, no power = more gas, More gas = unhappy customer A darn rice rocket stock can whoop my butt. yes you can make the 4.2 faster but after doing all the math i rather get rid iof this truck get me a lightning. But I am a FORD MAN hate Dodge and Chevy YUK>>>>>>>>> :o

I am already planning the turn around...

 

Blueovalfitter,

180,000 km is about 120,000 miles.

But my truck is small so the V6 is fine. It doesnt work as hard so yes I expect a little more life.

Before this I had a Chev 1500 (don't hate me)that had over 400,000 km (250,000 miles) on a 4.3 V6

6's aren't bad if you don't overload them with too much weight or work.

 

Originally posted by AjRagno
... I would love to see a Ford rep argue these points in front of a judge that owns a Ford...

Uh.. don't judges usually drive Mercedes and Beemers?? I think they're in a class by themselves..

 

heh, this might make you feel better, or not.

Ford is going to be retrofitting 350,000 crown vic police cruisers so that they the gas tanks don't explode anymore.

when asked, they stated that they would not retrofit privately owned vehicles, but that owners could buy the retrofit and have it installed.





It's cheaper to settle out of court than to spend the money to retrofit all the crown vic's.

This is one of the reasons why ford's stock just recently dropped to its lowest point in a decade (under 10 a share).

 

we all know when we bought our v-6 trucks (wich I traded off after 2 1/2 years) that it was the base engine.Basically that means you shouldn't expect the world of this thing......if you wanted more power you should have sprung for one of the triton v-8s......I had no problems at all with mine.I drove it like it was a truck not a sports car and I was happy.It is unfortunate about the way ford handled the whole timing cover gasket thing but there is really nothing you can do about it without getting a lawyer involved and even then I doubt much would happen.

The 4.2 is a stroked 3.8 and despite the bad press it is a good motor.I know I have one in my 1990 T-bird with 175,000 miles on it and it still purrs like a kitten.I have drove the **** out of this car and it just keeps coming back for more.Maintance?10k oil changes using dino oil.The only thing to every happen to this car was the upper radiator hose failed about 3 miles from home and I drove it home(slowly) to fix it.Basically I bought the tbird as a throw away car and it refuses to be thrown away.Oh well, I will just keep on driving it.

I am done now.I just hate seeing people buy a car/truck with the smallest available motor and then complain about power(lack there of).If you guys/gals want a fast truck, buy something with a v-8 or v-10 in it.