Coolant Leaking Problems of Ford F-150 - part 2

I have a 1997 Ford F-150 with a 4. 2l v6 engine that has failed with 82,000 miles. It is my understanding this failure is due to coolant leaking into the engine due to an engineering flaw. It is also my understanding the Ford motor company is well aware of this problem but chooses to except no responsibility and leave the consumer with the burden of engine replacement for $4000 to $5000. I also understand the failures are not an isolated problem but are being experienced by thousands of Ford F-150 truck owners with the 4. 2l v6 engine. It seems to me that if a problem is this wide spread and the manufacturer refuses to be accountable a government agency should step up and represent as well as protect the people to something that amounts to out and out consumer fraud.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford F-150 🔎.

I never received a recall notice for Ford recall#99b29. My address has not changed since I purchased the vehicle. My f150 has been using coolant and there are no signs of leaks. Now there is a loud engine tick at startup. All my miles are interstate miles, and the vehicle has been properly maintained and babied since purchase. What is Ford going to do about this factory defect??.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford F-150 🔎.

Bent or broken connecting rod, due to coolant leak.

Leaking coolant internally due to known manufacturer defect in gaskets. There was no external leaks, just disappearing coolant levels and car overheating. After the coolant was topped off, I tried starting the car the next morning, the car wouldn't start due to hydrolock. When it did finally start, the engine produced a loud pinging sound (such as a rod knock). I am in the process of going further into the engine to assess damage. This is a know defect to the manufacturer as they have released a TSB to address the problem. Of course this is only shared with the public after damage is done. Please help!.

1997 Ford f150 4. 2l v-6 when first starting engine cold it would miss bad for up to 30 second and then would clear up and run fine. Started loosing antifreeze with no external leakage, eventually engine steamed from exhaust. The next morning I started truck and the engine made a loud knocking noise and I found that the coolant reservoir was empty. I turned the truck off immediately and I was never able to get the engine to turn over again. Upon removing the engine and checking the connecting rods I found that the number 1 rod was bent and the bottom of the piston was broken off from it hitting the crank shaft. I am in the process of replacing the engine.

1997 F-150 4. 2 engine failure due to known (by Ford) defect that allows coolant to leak in to engine and damage the engine. The vehicle (1ftdf1720vnb15589 failed at my son's school over 100 miles from home. This particular problem is well documented on the internet. Unfortunately, we did not realize this until the engine failed. There are many Ford customers anxious for government support to require a recall to help finance this very expensive (~$4,000) problem.

I have a 1997 f150 4. 2 v6 that I purchased new from Ford. I noticed that it was losing coolant, but could not find a leak. In 2005, with only 89000 miles on the vehicle I started it up one afternoon when I was on my way home from work and it was running rough. I drove it home and parked it and went out approximately an hour later and started it up and it had a very loud rod knock. I was just researching rebuild kits and rebuilt engines when I came across all the posts about hydorlock. I now know that this was a situation that Ford was aware of, but did nothing to correct and left people like myself with a vehicle that was well maintained and did not last. Unfortunately, I did not have the means to repair and the vehicle has been sitting all this time. I think they should have taken responsibility when they found out and people like myself would have had protection on our investment.

Bought a 1997 F-150 used in 2001 with 62,000 miles on it. I have put less than 15,000 miles on the vehicle in the 4. 5 years I have owned it and changed the oil twice. I had noticed in the past that I would have to fill up the coolant, but could not find a leak. I also had problems with the heat going in and out. Went to start the truck and it shook and came to a stop. Started it again and there is now an awful banging/knock. I believe to be a rod or other internal part. Have not had the problem diagnosed by a professional, but after reading the forums on the Ford 4. 2 liter engines I feel confident that I can self diagnose the problem as having to do with the coolant leak problems. I have not ran the engine and have not had the money to fix it or replace it. I can't believe the number of people that have had the some problem, symptoms, and outcome as me. They have to number in the hundreds-thousands. Ford should not be able to get away with this and have to be full aware of the problems with their 4. 2 motor. There needs to be a class action suit and a recall. On behalf of all the F-150 owners who have had this problem we need help to resolve this. Thanks for your consideration and please inform me if anything happens or can be done as I have not found anything as far as a class action suit against Ford. Jb.

: the contact stated the vehicle was taken in for body work, it sat for 2 weeks. When the vehicle was started following the 2 weeks, the engine noise was louder than normal, and there was a coolant leak. A private mechanic was consulted, who determined the head gasket was blown. Also, the doors had cracked one half inch from the corner of the window seal. A private mechanic informed the contact the cracks were due to the weight of the door.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford F-150 🔎.

98 Ford F-150 with 4. 2l with coolant leaking into engine. This is happening to almost all of these engines and Ford is doing nothing about it.

2000 Ford lightning super charger intercooler leaks coolant into the engine. Once the coolant is drained, it can cause a condition called vapor lock, which will lock the motor without warning. This would be cause from the super heated air then entering from the super charger. This could cause an accident, and I'm sure is not great for emissions since coolant is now being leaked into the combustion chamber.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford F-150 🔎.

My 1997 Ford f150 with a 4. 2l v-6 engine began giving me problems a few months ago. It began having an erratic starting problem. It then began to blow out white smoke out of the exhaust. I checked the coolant system with pressure gauges, and everything showed to be fine. I did this several times, because white smoke continued to come out of the exhaust. Then I went to start it the other morning and it turned over the rod in the #4 cylinder is bent due to coolant in the cylinder. I have heard this happening to many people, and think that Ford should step up and take responsibility! . The tech then explained that the F-150s have had a trend problem with these engines for years; coolant would leak into a cylinder causing too much compression resulting in a bent or broken rod. It cost me over $2000 for something Ford knew was defective. I sent a letter (attached) to Ford and received a call from customer service basically telling me it was the owner's responsibility. This vehicle was meticulously cared for according to the owner's manual but, because of an engineering problem with the manufacturer, the engine failed. . Read more...

I have a 1997 Ford f150 pickup. It has the 4. 2l v6. I had 84,000 miles on the vehicle and had to replace the motor due to a bent rod. The rod damage was caused by a leaking gasket that allowed coolant into the cyclinder. When the truck was attempted to be started the fluid (does not compress) prevented the piston from full travel and bent the rod. This is a serious defect. Ford is aware of this and denies everything. After this happened, I became aware of many many others with the same problem.

My 1997 Ford F-150 started to leak coolant into the cylinder. I decided to buy a brand new motor from Ford back in 2005 because repair the leaking gasket was not worth it. There is a group of people saying that Ford should have or indeed have recalled these motors and I never new about it. I was never informed when I took to a Ford dealership. I paid $2500 for a motor Ford should have paid as I am understanding from what I read online.

Coolant leaked into the engine due to a faulty deisgn of the front cover gasket causing a bent rod due to uncompressible coolant in the cylinders.

1997 Ford f150 suffered from premature failure of the engine's gaskets. This caused the engine to lockup either from coolant in cylinder bores or crank bearing failure. At high speeds this could cause skid and loss of control. Also coolant leaks out front of engine on ground and tires when going forward.

I purchased a Ford F-150 in Jan 97 with 4. 2l v-6 engine, I have followed the services religiously, on or around Jan 2000 I tooked the vehicle to local dealer in puerto rico because there was a recall for the front gaskets to be replaced, I contacted the dealer and ascheduled an appmt. I tooked the vehicle in the dealerd 4 days later they call me and said that the vehicle was done. I went to pick the vehicle up and notice that there was no work done to the vehicle. The attendant told me that they did not replaced the gaskets because the vehicle was not leaking so it did not needed the gaskets replaced. Came to united states since I am in the military in fort leonard wood. I started to notice a loss in coolant this concerned me and replaced the water pump then it started leaking from the timing chain cover gasket so I replaced the cover the gasket and the water pump gasket once more costing me around $900. 00. Then this past winter one morning I went to start the vehicle and started to make this knoking knoice very loud knoice so I turned off and called the local Ford dealer here in st robert mo, dealer seller sexton they told me to bring the vehicle and then is when I found that the engine has broken a piston rod because coolant had gotten in the oil. They told me that it was going to cost me around $4,500. 00 I told them that I had no money to pay for those type of expences. Then I found out that the engines were manufactured with defective gaskets. I contacted Ford for assistance and they said that they can not help me because the warranty in the vehicle is expired. To this should make no difference because this was a manufacturing problem not the owners fault my truck only around 73,500. Ford needs to be held liable for this they claimed that this vehicles spark plugs are to be changed at 100,000. Miles how is this if the engines are only lasting 73,500 miles. Please need your help on ensuring Ford is held liable for this. Thank you.

Coolant level dropping slowly with no visible leaks. Blown lower intake gasket, filled cylinder and broke # 2 connecting rod.

1997 Ford F-150 front engine gasket is causing coolant to leak into the oil pan which has damaged the bearings. I now need a new engine. Ford had a recall issued for this problem in 1999 but I was never notified of the recall. They are not willing to honor the recall now. They state the recall time frame has expired.

120k miles, adding a little coolant occasionally, Ford dealer and local mechanic can find no reason, cranked car one morning and it threw a rod through the oil pan. . . Engine was running smooth up to this point. . . Ford replaced a gasket for me out of warrenty when the truck stranded me 1500 miles from home. . . Coolant had leaked all over parking lot at that time. . . Now I face a $4,000 repair. . . I changed the oil every 3-4000 miles.

I have a 97 Ford f150 xl with a 4. 2l 6cyl engine. There has always been a small loss of coolant and neither Ford service techs nor private machanics could ever find the leak. Well in Jan 2005 after the truck sat in the driveway for about 4 days and I started the truck and the engine blew. Towed it to a local shop and mechanic said the coolant was leaking into the engine and caused the damage. $4000 plus to fix it. After serching the internet I find that this is a very wide spread problem. I am trying to sell the truck to get a little money to help buy another vehicle. Help!.

My engine front cover gasket has failed in line with Ford's recall 99b29. Ford does not include my truck in this recall campaign. My truck is currently leaking a great deal of coolant through the failed front cover gasket. This could lead to a catastrophic engine failure. I have contacted Ford about this problem several times with no success. They have indicated that they have no intentions of helping me or fixing my truck.

Coolant leak in #4 cylinder. White smoke from buring coolant in engine. Rough idle and hard start up. Possible engine damage. Currently at Ford dealership to replace gaskets.

I purchased a 1997 Ford F-150 from a jacksonville resident in December of 2004 about three weeks ago, I went out to start it and heard loud banging from the engine compartment accompanied by bellows of smoke from the exhaust, I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and, after the tech checked it out, was in formed the engine was shot. He then explained that the F-150s have had a trend problem with these engines for years; coolant would leak into a cylinder causing too much compression resulting in a bent or broken rod. It cost me $4220. 00 to replace an engine Ford knew was defective. I sent a letter (attached) to Ford and received a call from customer service basically telling me it was the owner's responsibility. This vehicle was meticulously cared for according to the owner's manual but, because of an engineering problem with the manufacturer, the engine failed. . Read more...

Coolant leaking from a faulty head gasket into the motor causing major damage. Resulting in Ford motor company replacing the entire motor for well over $4,000. This is not only a problem with my vehicle but many more. Just do a web search for faulty gaskets in 97 4. 2l engines. . Read more...

Coolant leaking in to crank case due to defective gaskets, please see. . Read more...

1997 Ford F-150 4. 2l engine loss of engine performance and leaking engine coolant, loss of oil pressure. Driving at highway speed, 70 mph oil pump failed at 89200 miles causing engine to throw a rod and spin bearings. This resulted in engine failure. I purchased a remanufactured 4. 2l engine from Ford to replace the failed engine. Ld engine core was turned in for credit.

I own a 97 Ford F-150 with a 4. 2l, v6. On July 16, 2004, the engine began making a knocking sound. Took the vehicle to 2 mechanics and both confirmed that the head gasket had failed, which allowed coolant to leak into the cylinder. At cold start, the coolant in the cylinder caused the piston rod to bend. Mechanics stated that new engine would cost $3,000 - 3,500 to replace.

98 F-150 4. 2 v-6, engine failure due to coolant leaking into motor from faulty gasket. Ford put a recall when it was new, but I bought mine from dealer used, now the motor is bad, and I still owe quite a bit on it.

Ford F-150 complaint on 4. 2l /v6 engine. Engine had total failure at 69k due to engine coolant leak into motor. I never received any recall notices for gasket problem noted in owner notification bulletins and technical service bulletins issued by Ford. This is a major problem due to poorly engineered faulty parts used by Ford in this motor. This is a major problem and all v6 F-150 owners should be compensated for damages by Ford. I need to pay four thousand dollars to replace the engine.

1997 Ford f150 w/ 4. 2l engine. The gaskets failed and coolant leaked into the engine causing a blown engine. Recall for front cover gasket was completed and I still had the engine failure. Terrible. 5000 dollars for a replacement engine.

Email fm joey gansz (ar) inquiring if there is enough information & complaints to require Ford to recall the engine gasket on the 1997 Ford f150 pickup truck. The consumer experienced engine problems due to a faulty gasket which allowed coolant to leak into the cylinders. The manufacturer was contacted but refused to admit there was a problem even though a service bulletin (sb 99-20-7) was issued.

On a cold start my Ford F-150 broke a rod due to engine coolant leaking into engine. This is a known Ford defect in which Ford sent out a technical bulletin but who will not cover the $4,000 dollar repair.

In fall of 2003, had coolant leak at 60,000 miles. Coolant was pooring out of front of motor. Ford dealer said it needed new front engine gasket. They split the $500 cost with me. About 3 months later, the truck began knocking loudly. Had new headers put in . . . Did not fix the problem. No help from Ford. Very good care is given my vehicles. The truck was always maintained on schedule, never used off road or for towing. Very disappointed that a truck treated like a car would have such problems.

Engine failure due to coolant leakage into cylinders.