1. Loss of coolant 2. Pressure test showed front gasket leaking 3.front gasket replaced at cost of $1000.00 , may have lower intake gasket leak now, all common service issue , needs to be recalled.
1997 Ford F Series engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 22 of 22, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Engine dead due to faulty gaskets, coolant leaking into engine.
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.
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.
Front engin cover gasket failed in line with recall 99b29 cost of recovery by dealer 4,700, it would appear recall was inadequate and resulted in engin failer.
Consumer request a response to a question he submitted to the federal safety agency re the 4.6 liter engine exploding in his 1997 ford f-series pickup truck. *mr the vehicle's engine exploded as the consumer turned the key in the ignition.
Lights stay on continuously - have to remove fuses - back up lights and dome light won't go out. Daytime running lights stay on when vehicle is off. Both tie rod ends have fallen off (at different times) engine is gone. Inferior gaskets leaked coolant into the engine and destroyed main bearings. June 2001 front eengine seal leaked antifreeze onto ground. Two letters to ford motor co (addressed to william clay ford) have been answered by different people in the executive offices: duncan alderson and d kulla. Both have advised that ford will do nothing about these problems even though I advised them I knew of their tsb's to their dealers advising that these trucks were assembled with defective gaskets in the engines. I now have a truck that I cannot drive and no assist in getting it fixed,
Coolant is leaking into the engine- likely due to gasket failure - heat non- functioning as a result
97 f150 began to have an unpredictable coolant leak, never going below minimum coolant level. Within the week noticed water in the oil and went to take the vehicle to a service station. When I started the truck there was a loud knocking, proving to be a damaged rod. Later research showed that this is common in the 4.2 liter v-6 engine due to faulty gasket. Ford ran a "campaign," but I never received any notification as to the problem.
Fire started in engine area after being parked for approximately 2 hours. Vehicle at a complete loss. Firefighters could not determine cause of fire other than it originating in middle of engine compartment.
Engine failure at 73000 miles, followed all fords recommended maintenance.
Vehicle engine fire.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Ford F Series?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history