1997 Ford F-150: misfire or rough idle

Filed Mar 13, 2015 · Engine · 155,000 miles · TN

I have been having problems with engine overheating, heater temperature working intermittently inside, misfire on one cylinder. I have replaced thermostat, spark plugs and wires, and coils. Diagnotic code still reads misfire on one cylinder. Misfire is not constant. After researching I found others stating there is a recall... "recall # 99b20". I can not find a recall 99b20. I did notice there have been 545 other complaints concerning engine cooling and manifold o rings, blown head gaskets etc due to faulty components. I am adding my complaint as well for further investigative action, as I feel there should be a real recall to fix this problem/complaints.

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · 258,000 miles · DC

Motor runs rough at times with acceleration, cruise dont work, and after changing everything 3 times...it's a spark plug brand, and an unfinished recall a previous owner didn't have finished? Its a beautiful body design...but now I cant have recalls done that werent completed because of a careless first owner. Why should I suffer for his and fords wrecklesness? Not fair. I will not purchase another ford. Recalls should never expire. Lets think about human safety instead of profit n give every owner the option to safely transport their children when a manufacturing error occurs even if previous owners dont care to have shoddy parts replaced for free. How could one vehicle have that many mistakes? Total disregaurd for human life when a time limit is set on a possibly life threatening problem. Mistakes are made..but service them (car owners) when your notified. It cost you nothing but time.

Filed Jul 24, 2011 · Electrical · 149,000 miles · CO

A misfire on cylinder number 3 which will cause the vehicle to stall in traffic or not be able to get out of the way when accelerating.

Filed May 22, 2011 · Engine · 165,000 miles · OH

Just driving my 1997 ford f-150 and have had 2 spark plugs fly out the truck. Motor then runs rough and continues to operate for some time before you get any engine light. Afraid to let wife use truck cause it could catch fire.

Filed Jan 30, 2010 · Engine · 132,600 miles · OK

I was driving my truck and heard a loud pop, as if a tire had blown or drive component broke. My truck began to run rough and shake after the noise and continued when I came to a stop very shortly after the sound. It also continued after I came to a stop and put my truck in park. Also, it increased in severity but lessened in time interval, of an obvious knock. I learned I had blown a spark plug out of my head, taking the threads in the head with it. The two options are to remove the head from the motor, which costs about what the truck is worth, or to fix it with the head on the motor and take chances that no metal shavings enter the cylinders. Both options require a heli-coil for the head. I had to heli-coil my head to replace the spark plug since there were no threads for the spark plug to attach to.

Filed Jan 21, 2009 · Engine · 128,000 miles · KY

My 1997 f-150 4.2l v6 with 128,000 miles started experiencing an unaccountable for water loss that quickly turned into a rough idle on cold starts and then very noticeable steam from the exhaust at what time it was taken in for repair with a suspected blown head gasket. Dismantling the engine, there was water in the top end but there is no indication of head gasket failure and the heads have been pressure tested for leaks and turned out ok. It appears that the intake or intake gasket is the problem and upon online research it was discovered that ford has had prior complaints of intake and gasket failures.

Filed Jan 12, 2008 · Engine · 35,644 miles · FL

97 f150 4.2 v6. Started to run rough at start up but stopped after warm up. Couple days later , I started truck and rod blew. Towed in and was told I need another motor. Had remanufactured motor put in $3500.

Filed Jul 9, 2007 · Engine · 110,050 miles · VA

I own a 1997 f-150 ford pickup with the triton v8 4.6l engine. After having 10,5000 mile schedule service to replace spark plugs and tune up the number 4 cylinder plug began to pop-out" of the block. So far no damage to the vehicle, but it was not fixed yet. I knew this was a"common problem that was investigated before, but I wanted to document that the problem continued, and ford needed to acknowledge the defect. I was told by my ford dealership that if I drove with number 4 cylinder misfiring for an extended period it may cause hydro lock or fire damage to the engine. That was pretty serious and sounded like an admission from fords dealers that there was a serious problem. The dealer has been very helpful, and was working to fix the problem so I have no complaint against the dealer. However, just because there hasn't been a fatality with this defect did not mean there shouldn't be an admission by ford of the design defect, and a recall to fix the problem without charge to the customer.

Filed Nov 30, 2005 · Engine · 88,000 miles · TX

I have a 1997 ford f-150 with a v-6 4.2l engine. This engine ran rough after being driven at highway speeds and was then slowed to normal city speeds. This was investigated at least three times while under the warranty period with no trouble found each time. At about 70,000 miles this truck began to run rough and the shop which serviced it told me that there was insufficient spark in the right half of the engine, but came up with no satisfactory resolutions. I notice that I was loosing coolant and the check engine light would come on and blink occasionally. This continued for several months until one day when I turned on the engine there was a loud bang and an obnoxious clattering. The truck was towed into a dealer at which point I was told I needed a new engine which cost $4200. After 55,000 more miles I started losing fluid again and experiencing similar problems and took the truck into a dealer which found no trouble. The symptoms were a fluctuating temperature gauge and no heat when the heater was turned on. Also, loosing fluid with white smoke from the exhaust. From other postings on various online forums I found out this was a classic failure for the 4.2l v6 with a blown head gasket. I seem to be on the verge of another blown engine. When I called a dealer to schedule a return visit I was informed that this the same engine as the taurus 3.8l with a long stroke hence making the displacement 4.2 liters. Also, I was informed that engine had the same trouble and many have to be replaced.

Filed May 29, 2005 · Engine · 96,000 miles · VA

Started the truck one morning it had a rough idle but seemed to smooth out. Drove it out to a jobsite and parked it for a couple hours. Started it and white smoke came out and there was a banging and knocking sound. Turned it off and had it towed to a repair shop. They told me I had thrown a rod.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Engine · 127,000 miles · CA

The vehicle with 4.2l engine commenced to run rough at any speed. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the engine had a blown head gasket. Consumer contacted the dealer, who informed the consumer that the vehicle was not covered under a recall.

Filed Dec 26, 2004 · Engine · 85,000 miles · GA

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.