AjRango you the man! If it had not been for Aj last year I would have a total POS on my hands now that at that time I could not afford to fix(out of work). After getting all the info. from Aj I went back to my dealer(2nd time) about the loss of coolant and it was fixed that day(less than 5000 miles left on my Ford ESP warr.only cost me $50.00 Thank God!).So whatever comes of this(lawsuit,e-mails etc.)you can add my name to the list Aj,e-mail me anytime if I can help and my offer of dinner for you and your family on me still stands.Thanks to all and please keep Fords feet to the fire!

 

Here is a check engine light story for you. I have a 1997 F150 with a 4.2L V6 engine that had the check engine light come on recently. When the light first came on the truck was still running fine. However, soon after the engine started running a little rough when it was cold. It would run much better after warming up for just a few minutes. I then decided to take it in for repair as I am from Texas and we have an emissions test required for vehicle inspection and a check engine light on will cause a vehicle to not even be allowed to be checked for an inspection sticker. Before taking it to a repair facility, I took it by Auto Zone and had a diagnostic tester hooked up and checked the codes. Four codes came up, a egr code, a oxygen sensor code, a factory specific code, and a cylinder one misfire code showed up. Since I wasnt sure what to replace, I decided to take it to a local Ford dealership for repair. They told me the EGR sensor was bad and for $236.00 they replaced it. Six hours later the light was back on. I took it by Auto Zone and the only code in it was cylinder one misfire. I took it back to dealership and they claimed multi-cylinder misfire code and said the sparkplug wires and plugs needed to be replaced. Instead of paying them to replace them, I chose to do it myself. Both of these failed to keep the check engine light from coming back on and I checked at Auto Zone again and got a cylinder one misfire code again. I took it back to the dealership and told them to fix it. This time they claimed the coil pack was bad and for $223.00 they could repair the problem. I told them if that would fix it then do it. Six hours later the check engine light came back on and when the engine is cold it almost wants to die. I was told by the dealership service manager to bring it back as I told him I was not paying them another dime to repair my truck. He just insisted that I bring it back so they could figure out what was wrong. Anyone else had any kind of similar horror stories with emissions problems? This is the response I posted to an check engine light problem earlier this evening. After reading all the 97 4.2L engine problems posted here I now know what my problem is and will take it up with my dealership Monday. We as consumers need to assail Ford with e-mails, calls, and letters to address this problem and to offer compensation to those affected.
I urge everyone affected to also contact their elected officials to enlist their help in dealing with the Ford Motor Corporation. Let us band together now brothers!!!

 

I bet there is carbon build up in your EGR ports,especially #1,which is causing your misfire. If this is the case,the lower intake will have to be removed to clean the ports.

 

My 4.2 went out at 80,000 miles 1 month after i payed it off. I took it to the dealership and they said they have seen this problem quite a bit. I got a rebuilt motor and had another mechanic put it in. The place that we got the motor from said they are making a living off the 4.2 engine replacements.

I hate ford

 

daf150vid,

Get a repair manual for your truck and test your coil pack. Mine went this past weekend and I spent all weekend working on it. turns out that sealed unit cracked and let moisture in. You can test the resistance between opposing cylinder terminals to check it.

 

4,2 ltr, auto, 2wd F150 here

well, I have two codes still. 1 - EGR excess flow and cyl #1 misfire. After my engine no-start I posted earlier (feul pump relay root cause, but I replaced the pump first). At same time , I replaced the coil pack also, figured maybe that had something to do with my cyl #1 misfire (the spark was orange, not blue). The truck also runs VERY VERY rough when it is very humid outside, engine light starts flashing and then calms down within 5 miles or so - light stays on constantly now. I've replaced the plugs and wires, but still have the light on. I replaced the EGR valve, light still on. Think I still need to check the EGR port in the intake to see if it's clogged: hopefully this can be done w/o removing the intake, using a shop vac, flexible auger bit of some sort. I get 17 mpg around town, 23 fully loaded on the road. Does this sound familiar to anyone ?

John

 

sounds like you need a new dpfe egr sensor. and maybe an egr port cleaning. easiest way is to take off upper intake and clean ports with a pic and blast of air. that could make it run rough humid. and if all the ports are clogged up good but maybe number 1 has a little opening it will dump all egr gasses to that cyl. and misfire.

when the light is flashing it is ussually cutting off fuel to a misfireing cyl. so it doesnt burn up the cat.

the fuel milages sounds good to me

 

Is it too late to try to get in on this coolant recall?? I was wondering if they would do it on a 3 owner 130,000 mile truck??

 

I bought a 97 f-150 4.2 When I am at full stop and I turn on my A/C I loose oil pressure. The previous owner had a coolant leak but couldt find it , if you could or know what is wrong would you please reply back to me thanks

 

Well, I finally brought my truck into the dealership to have Lower Intake Gasket replaced @ 82k miles.

They want to replace all the intake gaskets for $588.

When I asked why, the rep first told me that all the gaskets needed to be done. I found it strange because the folks on here were replacing jsut the intake for $400. He then asked the mechanic and said the valve cover gasket was leaking oil.

My oil levels haven't been dropping. I went with replacing all the intake gaskets.

You think they were legit?

dan

 

That seems to be ok,considering they are already that deep into the motor.I had my lowers replaced back in November 2002 at my local Ford dealer for just under $500.00; but I had the oil changed,tires rotated and balanced,and the fuel filter changed all on the same bill.Make sure they change the oil after they are done, just in case any coolant or gasket debris gets into the engine! And,have them clean the EGR ports too!Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Wierd and unexpected, but the engine runs smoother now, reving especially. I take it cleaning the EGR ports made a huge difference.

Maybe I just missed my truck that much.

dan

 

so what's the latest on this subject? do we still have to pay for the lower intake gasket? or other damages caused by coolant leak in to crank case?

 

Greetings all,

Is this thread still active? I've sent some E-mails to AjRagno (leakingfords.com) with no reply as of 12/8/04. I recently had an engine failure of my 4.2L 1997 F150 due to coolant leakage. Neither Ford or the dealer ever notified of me of any problems until it was too late, even when I had truck at the dealer for several problems while under warranty, including a heater that didn't work. I had the front cover gasket replaced at a local garage because I was so discusted with the Ford garage, but it was too late. A few days later I tuned the key and I had bearing failure. It eventually started with lots of rattling and no oil pressure. I compiled a thorough 79 page letter and sent to Ford customer relationship center, the dealer, the Michigan State Bureau of Regulatory Services, the Michigan Attorney General's office of customer complaints, and the NHSTA. So far, I've gotten nowhere with Ford or the dealer, Borgman Ford. I'm still waiting for replies from other sources.

In addition to this problem, I had a tie rod failure and my crankshaft pulley / dampener fell off while driving at highway speed. I have also had several other problems. I will NEVER purchase another Ford vehicle until I get fairly compensated

What is the possibility of a class action lawsuit, which I read somewhere in here? Count me in! Is anyone still pursuing this? Please advise.

Thanks,
Brad

 

I seem to be a new member in more than one club now...

Bought my 'pre-owned' F150 Supercab (4.2L V6) almost a month ago & was looking for ideas. Saw this site and got the be-jes-us scared outa me about this V6 coolant issue. "Not mine!" I said. Well, I kept an eye on the fluid & noticed it was dissapearing. CHanged the plugs & wires today (original with 103000 miles on 'em) and can you guess what I saw? Yep, the remenants of burned antifreeze....S.O.B.!!!!!!!

So, help me out here guys....I added a bottle of StopLeak pellets to the overflow tank and drove for about an hour. Any other stop-gap proceedures I should do for now?

I know from reading your posts I should have the gaskets replaced...how many should it be, how much time, and how much money are we talkin' is what I guess I'm asking here. Please, any info will be VERY appreciated.