Hi to all! I bought a 1997 Sunday driven Ford F-150 4X2 4.2l Flairside without a scratch or dent on it 6 months ago with 13,700 miles on it, and no problems yet. Should I wait to get it fixed, I mean take it in for the recall. I know there is a deadline.

 

Don't wait- get it done! It's free! Mine is at the dealers as we speak and mine had leaked for a couple of months and I was just going to have my local mechanic fix it when I got the recall. It is a $200+ job.

Not only are they changing the gasket, BUT MINE HAS DAMAGE (RUST?) TO THE COVER ITSELF, SO THEY ARE REPLACING IT ALSO. THE COVER IS ON FACTORY BACKORDER AND MY TRUCK HAS BEEN THERE SINCE LAST MONDAY(8 DAYS)!! I am in a
rental car which they are only charging me for 1 day- THANK GOD!!

So when you have it done make sure that you ask them if they have the gasket AND THE COVER IN STOCK!

 

If there is a recall on it...then take it in!!
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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

Thanks for the input. I will call them and set up an appointment.

 

What leak are you talking about?

 

Is their a recall on a 1997 4.2L that I don't know about? Someone please respond. What leak?

 

jburd: The gasket subject to recall on the '97 4.2 V-6 is the latest (third generation) "engine cover" (head) gasket, part no. YF2Z-6020-AA. I'm not certain if it is at the front of the engine or if it is the cylinder head gasket(s). Maybe someone else on this board knows. Anyway, you can get it installed at Ford's expense and you should definitely do it. Apparently, the free offer is good to March 2001.

1998s had an upgraded (thicker) gasket, I've read, and they changed the gasket again for 1999 and later.

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Black 2000 SC XLT short-box. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 Limited Slip. Side steps, CD, remote entry, FORD box liner. Add-ons: Older Windstar driver's side wiper blade (with the air scoop, because I don't slow down when it rains), back-up beeper, "f150online.com" sticker and snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.

My third F-series: '73 F-100, '98 F-150 and '00 F-150. Great trucks!


[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 02-27-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 02-27-2000).]

 

Thanks for the information Shifter.

 

Welcome, jburd. When you talk to your dealer, check to see if it is the timing chain cover gasket or a head gasket. I'm not clear on this and if you find out, you could post the info for other members to know.

[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 02-29-2000).]

 

I just got back from my dealer, he said that my 1997 F150 4.2L had no "ONP" for the timing cover seal or engine cover gasket. I even gave him the ONP number. He said that he has seen these before but mine was not one of them?????? I also went in for the Door Crack, Exhaust causing rear wheel to discolor, and Rear window crack. I gave him all of the numbers for these. He only new about the exhaust, the door cracks and rear window he swears is news to him. In fact I pointed out to him two other F150's that were in the shop (for different reasons) that they also had the cracks, he (the service manager) was shock and so were the other technitions. In fact he gave ME the 1-800 number to call about the crack because I wanted it registered so that it could be fixed when a permanent fix is found. He new nothing about it. Parts are on order for the exhaust and rear window.
I called the 1-800 number but was put on hold for 20 min. and hung up.

 

Ya, service adviser incompetence is rampant at car dealers everywhere. It's pretty bad when the customers have to tell the bozos behind the "service" counter how to do their jobs.

You're on the right track, however, jburd. You've got to keep at it if you want to get satisfaction. The information you need is out there; it's just that you have to push the lazy ba&?tar*s to go find it.

The auto industry is about 50 years behind any other major service and consumer industry. It's really pitiful and annoying.

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Black 2000 SC XLT short-box. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 Limited Slip. Side steps, CD, remote entry, FORD box liner. Add-ons: Older Windstar driver's side wiper blade (with the air scoop, because I don't slow down when it rains), back-up beeper, "f150online.com" sticker and snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.

My third F-series: '73 F-100, '98 F-150 and '00 F-150. Great trucks!