NHTSA Complaint #737899 — 1997 FORD E-150

NOTIFIED BY AUFFENBERG FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT TIMING COVER SEAL ALLOWED MOISTURE INTO ENGINE BLOCK RESULTING IN BLOWN ENGINE. ADVISED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM WITH THE 4.2 LITER ENGINES ON THE F-150 WHICH IS ALSO THE SAME ENGINE INSTALLED ON THE E-150 VAN SERIES. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VANS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE MAINTAINED AS WELL AS THIS ONE WAS WOULD DEVELOPE THIS TYPE OF A MAJOR PROBLEM AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. A SYNTHETIC BLEND WAS USED FOR THE OIL WHICH WAS CHANGED AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS AND MONTHLY DURING THE WINTERS. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL SERVICE DEALERS IN THE AREA, I WAS LEFT WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE PARTS INSTALLED BY FORD MOTOR CO.. TWO OF THE LOCAL INDEPENDANT SERVICE CENTERS INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM RECENTLY ON THE E-150'S WITH FORD DENYING ANY PROBLEMS. *AK