1997 Ford F-150: engine overheating

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 Mar 17, 2014 · Lights · 118,000 miles · NV · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, a burning odor was emitted into the vehicle as the driver's side headlight started to flicker. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the bulb had overheated and melted the bulb holder. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 118,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2011 · Engine · 89,000 miles · FL

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 hydrolock. 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.

Filed Apr 27, 2011 · Engine · 132,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving, he heard a knocking noise and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to his residence where a mechanic inspected the vehicle. The mechanic advised that the coolant leaked from the intake gasket into the cylinder in the engine which caused the failure. The contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · KY

1997 f150 brakes locking up and engine coolant leak into motor.

Filed Feb 15, 2009 · Engine · 106,071 miles · TN

My f-150 was running rough and had a "check engine" light illuminated. I took it to my local dealer for diagnosis and repair. They replaced the spark plugs, plug wires, and ignition coil for a cost of over $500. They stated that the #5 plug had been fouled with antifreeze. It ran fine for about a month, then upon starting my truck, a loud banging or rattling noise could be heard and the engine locked up. Upon doing research on the internet, I found numerous people who claim that a faulty gasket design caused water to leak into one of the cylinders inspection of the cylinders showed coolant to be pooled in the front, passenger-side cylinder. Certified mechanics attribute coolant in the cylinder to be due to a premature gasket failure. If not corrected, the problem leads to major engine destruction. Documented effects of the coolant leak are worn out bearings and surfaces, and broken or bent connecting rods, necessitating an engine rebuild. Ford sent a tsb to some owners of these engines to replace the faulty gasket but not to other owners. The knowledge of a faulty gasket design was withheld from some 1997 4.2l f150 owners. I never received notification, and like many people, have suffered catastrophic engine failure. Average repair costs are around $4500 dollars. Ford did not notify owners of known defects and ford technicians who should know better than anyone, did not notify me.

Filed Feb 29, 2008 · Engine · TX

I have a 97 f-150, v-6 4.2l engine pickup. I have always a coolant leak coming from somewhere, but lately it has got worse. I've researched this subject and found that there are alot of ford owners with this same vehicle and engine with the same issue. Loss of coolant. Intake gaskets, headgaskets and timing chain cover gaskets. This is not only a consumer issue but a safety issue and it seems ford does not recognize the problem. I contacted ford and it was stated there was no recalls concerning this issue. You would assume that with a large population of ford owners having the same issues something would be done to rectify the problem. Instead its left to the owner to conduct the repairs with a heavy financial costs. It can only be assumed ford is fully aware of the problem that consumers are having. Why isn't anything being done? Not only do I have the timing case leak, but now I have to worry about when my engine will seize due to intake or headgasket leaks.

Filed Feb 12, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 100,478 miles · WA

I have a 1997 ford f150 with a 4.2 l engine that just turned 100,000 miles. I bought it second hand from a ford dealership june 1999 with about 45,000 miles on it. This truck was meticulously cared for over the years. After noticing that the coolant level was down after a a recent refill I refilled it again. I didn't drive the vehicle for about ten days but when I went to start it the engine made a clunk and wouldn't crank. I suspected the battery after a charge yielded the same results. The battery was replaced but still the same result and also after refinishing lead terminals and starter replacement. I checked the oil filler cap and there was a thick light brown substance I had never seen before on it and all the way down around the inside wall of the filler tube. I suspected a leak in the head gasket or elsewhere and went to the internet sites for clarification. After some research I realized I was far from being the only one with this problem. As I suspected the coolant leaks via the loose seal of the head gasket into one or more of the cylinders. It appears that this was a known defect and recall that ford never conveyed to all the owners of this model.

Filed Nov 30, 2007 · Engine · 38,891 miles · AR

1997 f-150 xl sb (truck) two days ago, I started the truck and noticed that a large amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust and there was a banging on the engine. I checked the fluid levels..all were within the correct levels..took it to a reputable mechanics..told me that ford should have recalled all of these trucks...he said that the front cover gasket had been compromised and that there was coolant leaking into the engine..I found a website where there were 100's of individuals who were having the same problem with this v-6 engine (4.2 l). I am appalled that ford would allow this to happen...oh, yes.... I never received a tsb regarding this matter..I bought this vehicle brand new in 1997 and I have only 38,891 miles on this engine....I am livid that I have been royally screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Nov 28, 2007 · Engine · 116,000 miles · WI

Coolant leaking into cylinders causing engine to lock up at startup.

Filed Aug 15, 2007 · Engine · 143,000 miles · ME

'97 f150 4.2 v8 coolant leak, engine blown @ 140,000 after several head gasket repairs.

Filed Jun 11, 2007 · Engine · 136,000 miles · TX

I went outside one early morning to start up my vehicle when I heard a loud pop that originated from the engine of my 1997 ford f-150 xlt. I took a look at the engine; however I am no mechanic. I attempted to start the engine again, but the engine would not turn. I later found out that the engine was locked because of the coolant leaking from a gasket into the cylinder causing one of the rods to bend. My mechanic informed me that the liquid was not allowing the rod to fully compress because of the pressure caused by the liquid. Needless to say, he told me that the ford pick ups' engines have that problem and I would just be wasting my money repairing the original engine. He advised me to search for a rebuilt engine that had a warranty on it. Due to the expense, my pick up is sitting there with a defective engine. This is the second ford I had purchased because I was so pleased with the first ford vehicle. However after this disappointment, I purchased a nissan instead. I make sure that I tell all my friends and relatives of this experience with ford and the unsatisfactory product they have put out. No wonder the toyota tundra and nissan titan are leaving ford behind! "built ford tough, right....