1998 Ford F-150: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Mar 12, 2015 · Engine · 92,435 miles · NV

I have a 1998 ford f-150 v6 4.2 liter with 92435 original miles. I woke up this morning and started my truck up and there was a loud knocking coming from the motor. My anti-freeze was low. I now have the same problem as earlier posts of a bent rod and need a new motor. I believe ford motor company should have had this motor recalled and properly fix the problem. Glad they have the job because I am about to losing mine. Walking 6 miles to work today.

Filed Jan 4, 2012 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, a strong odor of fuel emitted inside of the vehicle. There was also a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. The contact was able to maneuver to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that a spark plug dislodged from the cylinder head and he planned to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2010 · Engine · 85,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford f-150. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an unusually loud knocking. The contact moved off the roadway to examine the noise. He discovered that the spark plugs had fractured and popped shot from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised that the spark plugs would need to be threaded and coiled. The spark plugs were replaced under at owners expense. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 144,000.

Filed Jan 11, 2008 · Engine · 76,000 miles · PA

My 1998 ford f-150 only had 76,000 miles on it and was well-maintained. On 12/30/2007. It had run a little rough at start up for about two weeks prior to 12/30/2007. Then on that day a loud knock in the engine. I took it to a mechanic who said that there was a history of the 4.2 engines having problems. And I would have to replace the engine. I have not done anything with it yet. I believe that ford should stand behind this engine. If they know it was a design problem to start with.

Filed Aug 15, 2007 · Engine · 78,700 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jun 13, 2007 · Engine · 79,222 miles · WV

I have a 1998 ford f 150 white smoke came from exhaust , no warning truck wouldn't start finally started, but it was knocking you could smell anti freeze, called tow truck and the engine was gone, only had 79,000 miles.

Filed Mar 14, 2007 · Engine · 64,000 miles · TX

Upon starting vehicle on my driveway a loud bang and subsequent knocking sound emitted from engine. Had a mechanic look at engine found water in intake chamber and broken rod and piston. Mechanic advises an engine rebuild will be required and is familiar with a hydro lock problem with the 4.2 l ford v6 engines.

Filed Sep 28, 2006 · Engine · 136,000 miles · IN

Dt*: the contact stated a loud pop sound was heard and a piston or rod started knocking loudly. The contact removed the radiator belt, inspected the water pump, checked the plugs, then noticed liquid coming from the exhaust including anti-freeze. A local parts store informed the contact of hydro lock problems with that engine. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency.

Filed Sep 13, 2006 · Engine · 122,000 miles · NY

1998 ford f-150 4.2l v6 engine, engine has burned coolant for several months, engine recently started making a loud knocking noise, two mechanics have diagnosed the problem as a bad piston and the engine needs to be replaced.

Filed May 11, 2006 · Engine · 127,528 miles · AL

On a 1998 ford f-150 2wd pickup with a 4.2l engine........ Initial overheating due to low engine coolant. Refilled coolant and kept level at appropriate working level. From a cold start one morning heard loud knocking sound from engine. Brought it in to get it checked by local mechanic, which advised me that I needed a new engine. Purchased a re-manufactured engine at approx 125,000 miles on old engine.

Filed Dec 23, 2005 · Engine · 85,000 miles · WV

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.

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Engine · 117,100 miles · NJ

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.