V-6 under 70K miles
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Junior Member
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From: College Station
V-6 under 70K miles
After months of reading this site, I decided I would give it a shot and see what you guys recommended. I currently own a 1997 F-150, 4.2 V-6. Current mileage is around 66K.
About this time last year I took the truck in to the dealer, under warranty, and they fixed a gasket (not sure which), and the radiator was leaking so they fixed that and replaced the thermostat and pump.
After reading all the messages on here I got scared that my truck will follow in the same tire tracks as others and begin to leak coolant into #4, or the side gaskets would fail. So I printed out what everyone said, compiled the info and took it to my local mechanic to see if I should be worried, or just to do some preventative maintenance before something costly did happen. Was this a good move? or should I have just waited until something did happen? (if it's not broke, don't fix it)
It had to get worked on anyway b/c the light came on for the camshaft position timer. Let me know what you think, you guys have been really helpful so far, and I really appreciate all the feedback you could give me.
P.S. Your knowledge so far has really impressed the mechanic.
About this time last year I took the truck in to the dealer, under warranty, and they fixed a gasket (not sure which), and the radiator was leaking so they fixed that and replaced the thermostat and pump.
After reading all the messages on here I got scared that my truck will follow in the same tire tracks as others and begin to leak coolant into #4, or the side gaskets would fail. So I printed out what everyone said, compiled the info and took it to my local mechanic to see if I should be worried, or just to do some preventative maintenance before something costly did happen. Was this a good move? or should I have just waited until something did happen? (if it's not broke, don't fix it)
It had to get worked on anyway b/c the light came on for the camshaft position timer. Let me know what you think, you guys have been really helpful so far, and I really appreciate all the feedback you could give me.
P.S. Your knowledge so far has really impressed the mechanic.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 748
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From: Long Beach
i don't know much about your problem. ajragno has a lot of that information. but it seems to me a preemptive strike could do nothing but help you. good luck...hope your engine turns out to be better than a lot of the other 97 4.2L. either way...you should be able to get it sorted out. the guys on here are as you said...very knowledgable. again, goodluck.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Mpls, MN
Blue97,
First: I'm a very pleased that you're here. Everytime an owner comes here after a failure, we can only offer our sympathies. It's good to see you are here while options are still available.
If your CPS (Camshaft Position Sensor) was malfunctioning, then I'll bet it was the engine front cover gasket that they replaced awhile back. The CPS has to be removed for the procedure and if not re-installed properly, there will be problems.
If you've read the other messages, then I don't need to go on. You'll know what I'm referring to.
I used to think that as long as an owner were aware of the potential for failure, that simply keeping an eye on the coolant level would be enough. My opinion about this advise has changed a bit. Other owners and mechanics have commented that the lower intake manifold side gaskets have been ticking time bombs since they left the Essex Engine Plant. The original gaskets were thin to begin with. Throw in some bolts being just hand tight and others having torque specs many ft-lbs above what has been specified and a failure is just a matter of time; and much sooner than an owner would resonably expect.
What you have to consider is that your engine was built with obsolete lower intake gaskets. Mid-model year 1998-on F-150s received revised gaskets. If you look around, you'll see that they are not commonly experiencing these specific gasket failures. In fact, I've only heard of one F-150 built after 1998 with a failed lower intake gasket and none with a failed timing cover gasket.
See what your mechanic advises. If you don't replace it though, keep a close eye on the coolant level. When my lower intake gasket failed, it leaked over 1 qt of coolant into the oil in just a few days.
First: I'm a very pleased that you're here. Everytime an owner comes here after a failure, we can only offer our sympathies. It's good to see you are here while options are still available.
If your CPS (Camshaft Position Sensor) was malfunctioning, then I'll bet it was the engine front cover gasket that they replaced awhile back. The CPS has to be removed for the procedure and if not re-installed properly, there will be problems.
If you've read the other messages, then I don't need to go on. You'll know what I'm referring to.
I used to think that as long as an owner were aware of the potential for failure, that simply keeping an eye on the coolant level would be enough. My opinion about this advise has changed a bit. Other owners and mechanics have commented that the lower intake manifold side gaskets have been ticking time bombs since they left the Essex Engine Plant. The original gaskets were thin to begin with. Throw in some bolts being just hand tight and others having torque specs many ft-lbs above what has been specified and a failure is just a matter of time; and much sooner than an owner would resonably expect.
What you have to consider is that your engine was built with obsolete lower intake gaskets. Mid-model year 1998-on F-150s received revised gaskets. If you look around, you'll see that they are not commonly experiencing these specific gasket failures. In fact, I've only heard of one F-150 built after 1998 with a failed lower intake gasket and none with a failed timing cover gasket.
See what your mechanic advises. If you don't replace it though, keep a close eye on the coolant level. When my lower intake gasket failed, it leaked over 1 qt of coolant into the oil in just a few days.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: College Station
Sorry for not responding quicker...
The local mechanic checked the plugs and cylinders, no coolant, and pressure test came back fine. He did not see a reason to replace any of the gaskets, but told me to keep an eye on the coolant level. (the same advice I have already found on this site)
I guess another question could be, of all the trucks with this gasket problem, how many of them have mods or chips in them that could cause the engine to over heat? The only extra parts on my engine is a K&N airfilter. I'm still getting 13 mpg in city, 16 mpg on highway.
I asked about replacing the intake side gaskets and he said that even the replaced gaskets could fail. That the risk is the same. Since when did independent mechanics refuse to do work on a vehicle?
Thanks for everything guys,
Blue '97
The local mechanic checked the plugs and cylinders, no coolant, and pressure test came back fine. He did not see a reason to replace any of the gaskets, but told me to keep an eye on the coolant level. (the same advice I have already found on this site)
I guess another question could be, of all the trucks with this gasket problem, how many of them have mods or chips in them that could cause the engine to over heat? The only extra parts on my engine is a K&N airfilter. I'm still getting 13 mpg in city, 16 mpg on highway.
I asked about replacing the intake side gaskets and he said that even the replaced gaskets could fail. That the risk is the same. Since when did independent mechanics refuse to do work on a vehicle?
Thanks for everything guys,
Blue '97
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,605
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From: USA
Blue97,get them gaskets changed.Ask AJ and TallTom! Tom knows first hand because he has rebuilt a few of these from failing lower intake gaskets.I had mine done a couple months ago and glad i did.Ford tech said i was driving a ticking time bomb!
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From: College Station
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: USA
Ford charged me 499.65.....but 30.00 of that was for rotate and balance my tires.I went with Ford for warranty reasons and they are up to date on these gaskets.Is Ford not telling us something? I think so;why are the new lower intake gaskets twice as thick as the old ones? Hmmmm.....if you get it done Blue97 make sure the mechanic knows the "new" torque values of the lower intake bolts!!!!!