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1997 Ford F Series: engine failure

5 of the 47 complaints about the 1997 Ford F Series describe engine failure.

owner complaints
5
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
131,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 51 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

  • 2001
    2
  • 1998
    2
  • 1997
    5

What owners say

Filed Dec 18, 2007 · Engine · 131,000 miles · FL

1997 f150 engine failure 4.2l 6 cyl motor bent or blew a rod after sound came from engine after starting it.

Filed Dec 16, 2007 · Engine · 120,000 miles · WA

Faulty head gasket causing oil and coolant to mix. Eventually having to replace the engine due to bent rods.

Filed Aug 28, 2005 · Engine · 135,000 miles · 00

I didn't really notice anything just one day my engine started making loud knocking sound took it in for servicing and found out I spun a rod I replaced the engine.

Filed Aug 17, 2005 · Engine · 140,000 miles · TX

Upon starting my truck, a loud banging or rattling noise could be heard. The noise was not present prior to that day. I shut it down and upon doing research on the internet, 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. The distinction between those who received the tsb and those who did not (based on my research so far) seems to be made based on where the truck was assembled, not on where the engine was assembled. Ergo, some people have suffered catastrophic engine failure, with average repair costs of around $4500 dollars, due to ford not notifying owners of known defects.

Filed Apr 11, 2003 · Engine · 73,000 miles · MO

Engine failure at 73000 miles, followed all fords recommended maintenance.

Questions about the 1997 Ford F Series engine failure

Is engine failure a common problem on the 1997 Ford F Series?

5 of 47 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford F Series (11%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 1997.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Ford F Series?

There are 0 recalls and 51 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 1997 Ford F Series

Overheating 6Fire or smoke 5

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