Has anyone had problems with their timing chain leaking on a 4.2L? I have had mine resealed 3 times and now it is leaking profusly again. If I don't watch it the truck will leak a gallon of water in 3000 miles. I am wondering if I some how have a cracked cover or the guy just is not sealing it up correctly. The mechanic has a very good reputation. Can any one shed some insight?

 

Yes this a common problem on the 4.2 V6...... but 4 times sounds more than normal to me. Back to the shop I presume?? Maybe a different one?? Most good mechanics I know will warrant their work for 12 months/12,000 miles.

Mine started leaking at 55,000 and then again at 155,000.

Checkout the V-6 Engine area of this website. Lots of good reading on the many woes of the V-6 and leaking or mysteriously disappearing coolant.

 

Thanks for the help. I will try a new shop.

 

see heres the thing ford released new design gaskets and a revised procedure for fixing the timing chain cover and lower intake gaskets but if you dont go to a dealer who is going to know to get the ford parts and torque to yeild the lower intake and timing chain covers. and he might have warped the cover the first time and it might never seal.

when mine leaked it never leaked that much in 3000 miles you might want to look at lower intake gaskets and maybe even a hose clamp is broken

are you seeing any coolant on driveway?

 

Yes, there is coolant on the driveway. I do know that the leak is completley external, I have not found any indication of water in the oil. When I crawl under the truck it looks like it is coming around the timing chain cover. I have cleaned the grime off of the engine a few times to determine where the leak is. It looks like I am going to need a new timing chain cover. I guess I will get a new timing chain while I am at it. The truck just rolled over to 106,000. Can you direct me to where I can find that service bulletin?

 

the tsb for the lower intake leaking coolant is 99-20-07
the onp for the front cover leaking oil is 99B29
you could go to a dealer and ask them nicely to print it out for you. or im sure if you search online you can find the info too.

now just so you know if the lower intake is leaking it will tend to leak more external and it runs down around the front cover. i thought my front caver was leaking agian but under closer inspection i found the lower intake was the culprit.

 

Cyc1200,all your answers are at this website;
www.leakingfords.com

 

that article makes me feel sad but i have to wonder would gm or any of the japanese truck makers notify owners or even redesign the gaskets so they would be less likely to fail again?

i see lots of 3.1 and 3.4 gm's with intake leaks and it goes all the way back to when they came out all the way untill today even. at least ford took steps to correct the problem and change the design so newer 4.2s wouldnt have a problem.

 

Hey guys,
Thanks for the heads up. I must say even though my Ford leaks a lot I still love my truck. There are many GM engines that have there fare share of problems. My wife had a Bonneville and it started leaking. The plastic intake was a really good idea on someones behlaf.... I also had a 95 Formula with an LT1. The car would scream but it had the classic rear intake oil leak. On that car that is not an easy problem to fix.