Manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe problems of the 1998 Ford F-150

Faulty intake manifold gasket leaking coolant in piston bore hydrolocked motor over night.

I have now had 3 spark plugs eject themselves from the motor. To me there is a risk of fire being that the plug is exposed as well as fuel/fuel vapors since the plug is out of the head. There is also a manifold exhaust leak due to the studs breaking off in the motor. These heads are of poor quality and should have been recalled.

Failure was immediate, Ford f150 fuel tank straps. While driving down the road apparently the tank straps gave way and the fuel tank dropped. Before coming to a stop and after catching some uneven pavement, fuel tank was pealed open and losing about 8 gallons gas. Fire dept was called and they cleaned up spill. Both straps broke and fuel tank is un-repairable. Updated 08/05/11 the consumer stated he experienced other problems with the vehicle, such as a leaking power steering gear box, brake lines had to be replaced, there was a leak in the 4-wheel drive gear box, the muffler hangers, ball joints, tie rod ends and shocks all had to be replaced. Updated 08/11/1.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford f150. The contact stated that the manifold bolts were rotted, causing the exhaust to leak into the cabin. The dealer had not been notified. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 110,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

1. Normal driving conditions 2. I had 3 spark plugs and 3 coil ejections from cylinder head so far 3. Rethreading the cylinder heads with helicoil kits had to buy new spark plugs, and new coils I have one coil and spark plug.

My 1998 Ford F-150 only had 79,000 miles on it and was well-maintained. On 8/10-07, the coolant level light came on when I arrived home. I checked the coolant level immediately and there was no coolant in the reservoir. I filled the reservoir and planned to take the truck in to the mechanic when he was open during the week. I only drove the car about 20 miles that weekend and I monitored the coolant level and temperature. Everything was fine. That Monday morning, loud knocking came from the engine and white smoke came out of the tail pipe. The truck was towed to my mechanic who informed me that I've thrown a rod and need a new engine. I have seen numerous complaints on the internet with the same exact symptoms for this year, make and model of truck. Apparently, there was a TSB regarding defects in the upper and lower intake manifold gasket causing coolant to leak into the engine (which would cause a thrown rod), but consumers were not notified, only dealers. Tsb99-20-7 why wasn't I notified as an owner? now I need a new engine, but I would have had this repair done or the engine checked out if I had simply been notified by Ford. Why wasn't there a recall notification, instead of a TSB? to dealerships. Unacceptable.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford f150. The contact heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle. The mechanic stated that the bolts holding the exhaust manifold rusted, causing the manifold to separate from the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage were 115,000. Update 04/30/tr.

Premature engine failure (68,000 miles) on 1998 Ford f150 with 4. 2l engine. Was told by dealer that failure was due to oil leaking into the intake manifold which resulted in bent rod. Through research, I have found that Ford has known about this issue since 1998-1999 but did not notify customers. Now they want $4000-5000 for new engine.

I am one of the thousands of Ford customers with a f150 4. 2l v6 1998 that have a blown engine because of a leaky gasket. My truck has 92,000 miles on it, bought it used from a dealer in '05 with 72,000 miles on it. Ran great until I went to start it in the morning one day and white smoke poured out the tail pipe and it knocked like crazy. I have been saving for the past year and a half to get enough money to fix it, when I discovered that this is a problem that stretches across the board.

1998 Ford F-150 4. 2l v-6 125,000 miles . No known events leading up to failure. Immediate catastrophic engine failure , broken connecting rod, due to hydraulic lock, where coolant leaks into the combustion chambers. It is my understanding that technical bulletins have been issued which indicated that an improper gasket was used to seal the intake manifold from coolant which allowed the coolant to leak into the combustion chambers, causing this failure . One known is aera technical committee and issued by jasper engines. Engine replacement was required. Engine was replaced.

(1) car would not start one morning like a dead battery. I jumped the car and heard a loud clattering sound from engine. (2) leaking front cover and intake manifold gaskets in a 4. 2 l v-6 engines caused the engine to seize. (3) currently replacing engine.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the bolts that hold the exhaust manifold onto the heads and the bolts has rusted. The failure has resulted in an exhaust leak, which has begun to leak into the cap of her vehicle. The failure occurred while driving 5 mph. The bolts must be drilled out in order to be removed. The current mileage is 88,000 and failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 02-01-08 updated 02/01/08.

On Monday Dec 19 2005 while driving with my wife and granddaughter, an explosion occurred under the hood of my 1998 Ford f150 VIN: 1ftzx1863wna54874. Smoke came out the hood and through the air vents into the cab. The Ford dealer said the plastic plenum in the intake manifold cracked allowing raw gasoline to enter where it should not have and exploded. They replaced the manifold assembly with the new style aluminum manifold and plenum. This cost almost $1,100. 00. I have since found that Ford settled a lawsuit 12/16/2005 in which the plastic plenums cracked. But this only covers a small number of Ford cars and not trucks. The dealer service mgr told me that Ford has developed a new aluminum plenum that replaces the old plastic one and I should have no more trouble. My question is why I cannot be reimbursed for a plastic plenum that cracked, they obviously know they are bad, and we could have been seriously hurt.

Faulty Ford f150 4. 2 6 cyl eng lower manifold gasket.

I have a 1998 Ford F-150 4. 2 v6 4x4 truck, which has been brought to my attention by my local Ford dealership mechanic how notorious this motor is for the problem that has erupted with my vehicle, but Ford refuses to take any financial responsibility or action. The truck started making a loud- knocking sound one morning immediately after I started the truck for work. The mechanic explained to me that Ford had a bad intake manifold gasket, which allowed coolant(anti-freeze) to leak into the oil and spark-plugs causing this loud-knocking noise which is a spun rod bearing. I keep regular check-ups on all aspects(oil level,coolant,etc. ) if it were a problem that I caused, I would accept full responsibility. It is not my lack of maintenance , but a known issue among the 4. 2 v6 Ford motor. Ford motor CO. Has made my life pure hell. I do not have $4,$5 thousand dollars to replace their mistake. I now struggle to keep a job and make payment on a vehicle that doesn't run. Also,my wife and kid who depend on daddy are ready to leave home because he is a failure( no vehicle+no money=divorce) ( no truck=no job) !!!! enough of my problems, but I'm now ready to start losing what means more than anything in life to me and that is my family. I have researched this problem by speaking with Ford mechanics ,reviewing websites, and the general public. Ford has failed and now this internal damage is leading to my personal life. I'm going to lose everything. I hope you will help me and the other thousands of 4. 2 v6 owners who desperately need assistance, please! thank you!! ps. I hope one day the owner of Ford,can sleep knowing my little girl/wife will not enjoy christmas as a family due to his greed to fix this error on his behalf. Ever spend christmas morning by your(lonesome)self mr. Ford? merry christmas.

1998, Ford, f150, 4. 2 liter v6. Lower intake manifold side gasket failed. Gasket failure led to coolant in number 1 cylinder. Coolant in number 1 cylinder caused the number 1 piston connecting rod to bend. The defective gasket and bent rod are cleaned and available for review. A total engine rebuild was needed to correct the problem.

To whom it may concern: I am the owner of a 1998 Ford F-150 4. 2l XLT. A few weeks ago I noticed a slight hesitation upon starting my engine. Once the engine started, it struggled a little and then smoothed out once I began to drive. The truck continued to run fine, once started, but continued with the slight hesitation when starting the engine for about a week. On September 1, 2005, I attempted to start my truck and found that it would not turn over right away. I let the truck rest a moment then again attempted to start the engine. The truck started up, then I heard the slight hesitation and all of sudden I heard a loud bang followed by a loud noise coming from the engine. I had the truck towed to my mechanic whereupon I was informed that it was a rod knock, which shot down through the oil pan. He found coolant on the plugs and water intrusion through the intake manifold into the block. He informed me that my engine had hydro-locked. Through research I was able to determine that this is an apparently widespread problem. I found that Ford motor company issued a recall on the intake manifold gasket in 1999. I never received such notification, although I have, in fact received information for other recalls. I was never sent anything in the mail and had no idea of this problem. In addition, I am informed that Ford motor company is not doing anything to rectify this matter with customers. I currently have 117,000 miles on my truck and had to pay over $4,000. 00 to replace the long block. I had to pay to repair a problem that Ford obviously knew existed. Since Ford was aware of the potential danger of damaging the engine and did little, if nothing, to inform its customers of this potential danger, I feel that Ford motor company should be held, at least in part, liable for the damage incurred to my truck and to many of those, like myself, who have had the same problem. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in this matter.

Like many others, my lower intake manifold gasket failed at 132,000 miles, resulting in coolant leaking into the #4 cylinder and causing a hydrolock condition. I replaced the motor. Prior to the hydrolock, I had noticed coolant levels dropping for a year or so prior but thought nothing of it and just periodically topped off the coolant. At the time of failure, I noticed lots of white smoke coming from the exhaust.

1998, Ford, f150, 4. 2 liter v6. @ approx. 92,000 miles. Intake manifold gasket failed. Gasket failure led to coolant in number 4 cylinder which caused the number 4 piston connecting rod to break, also damaging the piston. The defective gasket, bent rod and piston had to be replaced, multiple thousands of dollar repair. No notice from Ford indicating potential problem or that any preventative maintenance (I. E. Gasket replacement) may have avoided costly engine failure repair -or- replacement. A product and highway safety concern in the context that had the failure occurred at highway speeds, may have caused loss of control and accident.

The consumer took the truck to the dealer for an inspection. They found an exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold. The dealer claimed that the bolts contained condensation and had rusted out on both sides.

1. White smoke coming out of tail pipe for about 2 minutes, returned home. Tried to start my truck the second day to bring in the garage, there was a loud clunk!!! engine would not turn !!!! 2. Right lower intake manifold side gaskets failed, allowing coolant to leak into engine oil and cylinder. Issue is addressed by Ford with TSB article no. 99-20-7 3. Engine failure, bent rods!!!!! having to replace the engine!!.

I bought used vehicle from the bo's autorama on 6/2004 and used it once or twice in the first year. I started to use it regularly in April 2005. First I had to replace the spark plugs/wires because of water getting into them, and causing a miss in the engine on 4/2005. Then I had them sealed on 9/2005, then, replaced on 12/2005 , and the problem to this day, has never been fixed, but I spent over $900 trying. The transmission and rear differential has had to be replaced 3 times on 5/2005, 6/2005, and 7/2005. The muffler was replaced in 8/2005, the battery died in 10/2005, the front brakes went out in 11/2005. So less than 14,000 miles from purchase I had spent over $5ooo in repairs, and still could not drive it. I took the truck to bo's beuckman Ford and will never deal with them again. They over charged me for lousy work. Also, Ford would not pay for the first faulty rear differential because I did not have Ford install it. Why would I? they could not fix the engine miss after 2 tries, and charged me both times, and it took them 3 times to fix the transmission.

My truck had a defective manifold gasket, the same problem that so many '97 - '98 F-150 owners have had. . Read more...

Parked truck in driveway. Running fine. 2 hours later started truck. White water vapor from exhaust and rod knocking. Intake manifold gasket failed, causing hydrolock. Removed engine replaced rod piston and bearings. Have old piston and rod.

My engine failed due to the following information. According to Ford TSB 99-20-7 these engines were assembled with obsolete engine front cover gaskets and/or lower intake manifold gaskets. When these gaskets fail, the resulting damage will often create the need for an entire engine replacement. Due to this failure an engine is needing replacing. After looking at cases on the internet. I find Ford not correcting a major defect in there product.

1998 Ford F-150 muffler bolts sheared off on both sides. Consumer states that the muffler bolts came off of the engine sides. The consumer stated the transmission was replaced at 90,866 miles, and the rear wheel bearing was replaced.

Muffler rattles when on idle.