new member; old ford fan here. have a 2000 f-150 with the 4.2 engine and 5 speed. bought it a year ago and has been trouble free. 62K and running great. my mechanic told me to dump it immediately while it's still running. said these engines are garbage and junk yards won't sell used ones because they are afraid to warrant them even for 30 days. an acquaintance says his '99 has given him 200K trouble free miles. do i get another truck or another mechanic?

 

My vote is for another mechanic.


I had a '97 with the 4.2l that I bought new and just traded in this past july.


I got 180,000 miles out of it, and I used it as a work truck.

I abused that thing, and it still ran great.


The only major problem I had with that truck, is that I think it was invisible to other drivers. It seemed like everytime I had to stop quick because of someone infront of me, I would get rear ended.

I even got rear ended by an F-350 doing 55 mph, and I was at a complete stop.

His truck was totalled, but I was able to drive away.

 

I have a 98 4.2 efi 195660 miles on it still with 190 psi in cylinders and running strong.
Just have had a few small gremlins but nothing major. These 4.2's are good motors. I think he wanted yours to make a profit. There are alot of mechanics out there that have defeatest attitudes thinking to gain from your situation.
Absolutely get another mechanic

 

i have a 99 4.2l with 95K i love my truck yeah it could have a little more power but so could everything else im very satisfied with it so far!

 

Got 101k out of my '99. No issues.

Got 11k on my '07. Again, no issues.

Got friends with the 4.2l and the mileage varied, from 55k, 70k, and one at a whopping 140k, all said they had no issues.

I love the 4.2l v6.

 

i was doing a current event article for school one day and i came across the most reliable vehicles and the ford f150 2wd with the 4.2 v6 was the most reliable truck built today.. but the first 2 years suposibly had some issues but i dont really know.

 

Just sold my 2001 F150 with the 4.2 with 126k. It was the best vehicle I've ever driven. (until my new 08 250 PSD)

 

The 97 and early 98 4.2's had bad manifold gaskets. They leaked coolant into the cylinders and hydrolocked the engines. Ford made a change and got the improved gaskets out into the field, since then the engine has been very reliable. Your mechanic is going on old information.

 

I sold my 97 with the 4.2 last May with 135k miles on it.It still ran as good or better as a new engine.Sure,it had a couple of minor problems (I had the lowers replaced to prevent hydrolock) but not as many as the modular V8s are having.
Find a new mechanic,ASAP!

 

Is your mechanic trying to sell you another car or something?

 

The first year or 2 of the 4.2L had issues with the engine hydrolocking (it would leak coolant into the crankcase, which would make the engine lock up), but since then it has been a great engine.
IMO, the 4.2L is a great engine. It will never have the power of a V8, but in a 4x2 that doesnt do much towing or heavy hauling, its all you need.

 

97-98 4.2's had an issue.. those with it.. simply replace your gaskets and your set

 

I think they're a toss up. Some run good, some don't.

I just don't like 'em 'cause I can get out and run faster than they can drag the truck down the road.

 

I'de like to see that!

 

A good buddy of mine had a '98 reg cab flairside 4.2 auto. He bought it new and put on over 178,000 kms on it. I helped him do all the maintenance and his repairs, and none of the reapirs had anything to do with the engine. he loved it, had to sell to get a supercab 4x4. In my opinion great little motor!