'97 F-150, V-6, 104k - until now had no serious problems. A week before Easter, I had the fuel injectors cleaned. Drove fine the week after. The last day I drove it was the Saturday before Easter Sunday - still no problem. On that day, I parked it for good right as it was beginning to rain - no rain earlier in the day, however. Didn't drive it on Easter Sunday, & drove family car to work on Mon-Tues. My daughter called me Tues. afternoon, asking me why truck won't start. Tested it that night, & sure enough, wouldn't even turn over. Turn key in ignition & no turning over, no clicking, just a hard "Thunk!" sound.

Replaced battery & starter a few days later. Still no luck. Same "Thunk!" sound. When I replaced the starter, it did try to turn over for about one second (3-4 bumps) but froze up again. A friend of mine was over & tried to turn flywheel, but it was frozen. Truck has now sat for 3 weeks. Tried to start today, and again 3-4 bumps but then "Thunk!"

Talked w/ shop & they say it sounds like hydro-lock. Sounds expensive. If this is the case, how could water get into the cylinders? What's the chance of bent rod or piston if hasn't been driven (just tried to start it about 24 times)? Anything else I can do? Good truck, but is it worth the expense?

Any helpful response appreciated. Can receive quicker at home email: vetgrp@swbell.net. Thanks! Rob in San Antonio

 

You have a 1997 4.2L engine?

http://www.leakingfords.com/

http://www.leakingfords.com/tsb99207.html

If you think you have hydrostatic lock then don't try to start the engine until you can pull spark plugs and look inside the cylinders for fluid...

 

Pull the pulgs and try turning it over. Might be fuel locking it up from the injector cleaning also. Dosen't take all that much fluid to keep the piston from comming up all the way.

 

Well... I'm too late. I had the truck towed to the shop & they determined that the # 5 & #6 cylinders had coolant in them and the rods are bent from when I had tried to start the engine. How do you not try to start an engine when it doesn't start? I changed out the starter, thinking that was the problem, and tried to start it. By then it was too late.

If only I had known about this condition beforehand. Thanks for sending me to the link: www.leakingfords.com. Their explanation & diagnosis fit my situation perfectly.

Now, I'm faced with rebuild or replace? I can replace with a newer version for $4100 or have it rebuilt for $?

 

Bummer. I was hoping you might get lucky. Thanks for the feedback and good luck. I don't know beans about new or rebuilt engines but hopefully someone will respond...

 

All is not lost.You can replace the two bent rods and get a crank kit for about $500.00 Or,get a short block for $800.00-$1000.00.Ford sells a long block for about $1900.00. Or,get a good used 4.2 for about $1500.00.