1997 FORD EXPEDITION Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

WHILE DRIVING ON A EXPRESSWAY TRAVELING AT 55MPH, MY WIFE FELT A THUMPING AND HEARD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH, I NOTICED 2 HOLES PUNCHED THROUGH THE BACKING PLATE OF THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PULLED THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR OFF AND THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES AND HARDWARE FELL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. AFTER TALKING TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPEDITIONS. I RESEARCHED IT ON LINE AND FOUND OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING SOME INSTANCES OF WHEELS LOCKING UP. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. WHY HAS FORD NOT ISSUED A RECALL? I HAVE ALSO HAD 2 LEAKING EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS THAT I AM TOLD IS ALSO COMMON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS FRACTURED AND DESTROYED THE MOTOR. THE MOTOR AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHICH ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 232,936.

FEBURARY 28, 2011 I PURCHASED A 97 FORD EXPEDITION. I DROVE THE TRUCK FOR ONE DAY AND ON MARCH 4, 2011 I PARKED THE TRUCK UNDER THE GARAGE AROUND 8:30 A.M. AND AROUND 10:45 A.M THE TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT . THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS BURNED UP. *TR

1997 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L TRITION ENGINE . ENGINE HAS EXPERIENCE SEVERAL COIL PACK FAILURES SINCE ABOUT 25000 MILES. AROUND 120,000 MILES IT HAS HAD 3 FAILURES DUE TO SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THE HEADS. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED EACH TIME WITH A RATHER EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL EACH TIME. NEEDLESS TO SAY FORD SAYS THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICE PROPERLY. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION, MY 15 YEAR DAUGHTER AND I WAS DRIVING ON 10 FREEWAY GOING EASTBOUND TOWARDS SAN BERADINO, WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING A THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP UNDER MY HOOD AS MY TRUCK STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND MAKE LOUD POPPING SOUNDS. I WAS TERRIFIED CAUSE THIS HAPPEN AS I WAS GOING BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MILES PER HOUR ON FREE WAY. ONCE I COASTED SAFELY TO SIDE OF FREEWAY AND EXAMINED UNDER MY HOOD I SEE MY SPARK PLUG WIRE LAYING TO THE SIDE AND SPARK PLUG LAYING ON AXLE I WAS IN DISBELIEF UNTIL I TRIED TO PICK UP SPARK PLUG AND IT WAS TOO HOT, TO HOLD IN MY HAND YES THIS WAS MY SPARK PLUG! IT HAD BEEN SPIT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ONCE THIS HAPPENS YOUR TRUCK LOSE POWER AND SLOWS DOWN...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDAS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS SERVICED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MIDAS THREE TIMES AFTER IT STALLED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COIL PACK. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A TUNE UP AND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DAMAGED. THE CYLINDER HEAD ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY FORD A REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE FORD EXPEDITION SPARK PLUGS RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.

FIRE CENTER OF HOOD DRIVERS SIDE VEHICLE SITTING NOT RUNNING. *TR

OUR 1997 FORD EXPEDITION EJECTED A SPARKPLUG, MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. WAS HELICOILED AND STILL DAMAGED MOTOR TO THE POINT OF REBUILD OR REPLACING MOTOR. HAPPENED DURING A HOLIDAY TOWING OUR BOAT, VERY LUCKY IT DIDN'T HURT ANYONE. WE HAD TO HAVE BOAT AND FORD TOWED, RUINED OUR VACATION, THANKS TO HAVING A CLASS A DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL MINIMIZED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

ENGINE MAKING A LOAD NOISE AFTER TRAVELING TO MY INLAWS WHICH WAS 216 MILES PULLED OVER NOTICED NUMBER 8 CYLINDER HAD BLOWN THE SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE BLOCK 2 MONTHS PRIOR NUMBER 3 CYLINDER BLEW OUT AND IN 2008 NUMBER 1 CYLINDER BLEW OUT PLUG FROM THE BLOCK. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MOTOR. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING MY FORD THE SPARKPLUG BLEW OUT OF MY CYLINDER HEAD AND TOOK OUT MY COIL. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXP WITH A 5.4 ENGINE, I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD THIS LOUD POP SOUND AND THEN LOST POWER! I OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE SPARK PLUG EJECTED OUT THE ENGINE AND BLEW THE IGN COIL APART. I HAVE HAD THREE SET OF SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED FROM 1998-2007 AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM(175896 MILES ON MY TRUCK). IM A AUTO TECH BY TRADE AND HAVE WORKED FOR WESTERN AUTO FOR 11YEARS, AND PEP BOYS AUTO FOR 14 YEARS. OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF FORDS TRUCKS COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM ! WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN WILL FORD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE OR SOME TYPE OF RECALL PUT IN PLACE ?IT HAS NOT BEEN FIX YET , BUT I HAVE LOOK INTO BUYING A ONLINE INSERT KIT THAT DRILLS OUT THE SPARK PLUG HOLE...

1997 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A 5.4 L V-8. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. HAVE READ THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM BUT TO THIS DATE FORD HASN'T HAD TO RECALL TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEADS. *TR

1997 FORD EXPEDITION, 5.4 V8. DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN A SPARK PLUG BLUE OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. MY MECHANIC IS GOING TO USE A HELICOIL KIT TO REPAIR THE THREADS. I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT WAS DONE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE THEN MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD ONLY ADVANCE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE HEAD AT THE COST OF $2,000. HE CONSULTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, BUT HAS NOT YET RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 172,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 6/2/08 *CN UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENGINE AND HOOD BURNING WERE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE INSURANCE COMPANY PERFORM AN INVESTIGATION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYL. # 3 DUE TO LACK OF THREADS IN CYLINDER HEAD, OR LACK OF MATERIAL IN THAT LOCATION. THE TRITON V SERIES ENGINES HAVE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH BLOWING THE PLUGS OUT, IT WILL COST BETWEEN 2500- 4000 TO FIX ONE PLUG BLOW OUT, PUTTING IN INSERTS ONLY CAUSES THE REPAIR AGAIN AT A LATER DATE. WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO STEP IN AND SAY ENOUGH, THE PUBLIC HAS ALREADY. *TR

I HAD A INGNITOR BLOW COMPLETELY OUT OF THE HEAD ON MY EXPEDITION. . IT IMMEDIATELY SMELLED OF GAS AND SOUNDED LIKE A TRACTOR. THE INGNITOR THEN KEPT HITTING THE FUEL RAIL. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THE TWO HITTING AND STARTING A FIRE WITH A SPARK. WHEN I TALKED TO A FORD DEALER THEY SAID THAT YES IT DOES HAPPEN QUITE A BIT BECAUSE OF THE ON THE HEAD...THEY ONLY PUT 2 THREADS IN TO THREAD THE INGNITOR IN. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS IF THIS HAPPENS. SOME ONE COULD BE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND COULD START A FIRE DUE TO THE GAS. IT WILL NOW COST ME $3000 TO FIX THIS DESIGN DEFAULT ONLY TO GET REPLACED BY THE SAME ISSUE!!! *JB

TRAVELING @ 65 MPH AND LOUD BANG. ENGINE LOST POWER AND WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. WAS TOLD BY AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER. THE TRUCK WAS NOT FIXED. FORD WANTED $5000 FOR NEW ENGINE OR $4200 TO REBUILD MINE. 1997 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION. *JB

THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF IN THE YARD WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. FLAMES CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. JUST HAD IT SERVICED TWICE SINCE DECEMBER.

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND AT THAT SPEED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EJECT THE SPARK PLUGS OUT OF THE SEVENTH CYLINDER. THE IGNITION COIL SITS UNDER THE FUEL RAIL. THE CONSUMER FEELS, " THIS COULD IGNITE AND CAUSE A BIG FIRE TO THE ENGINE." PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

PAINT AND FINISH ON ROOF OF VEHICLE PEELING, CRACKING, FLAKING OFF - OXIDATION FROM RUST, RUINING ENTIRE OUTER CAR SURFACE - HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT PRIMER COAT WAS EITHER MISSED OR SKIMPED DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS... FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE - ONE MALE REP FROM FORD STATED: "THE PAINT JOB IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO LAST 2 YEARS" NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER...ALSO, CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ENGAGE THEMSELVES, THUS PREVENTING OCCUPANTS IN REAR SEATS TO EXIT VEHICLE, CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION... ALSO, VEHICLE REAR WHEELS AND OR AXELS "CHATTER" AT LOW SPEED TURNS... ALSO, AN AUDIBLE HUM IN VEHICLE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS...ALSO, AUDIBLE SQUEAKING FROM INTERIOR SIDE PANELS...FORD DEALER STATES: CAUSE CANNOT BE LOCATED...ALSO, LEATHER SEATS HAVE CRACKED AND SHOW SIGNS OF ABNORMAL WEAR - THIS IS APPARANT IN ALL LEATHER SEAT COVERINGS BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE FRONT "BUCKET" OR "CAPTAIN" SEATS...FORD STATES WARRANTY...

SPARK PLUG SUDDENLY BLEW OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED $3100 TO PUT ON A NEW CYLINDER HEAD. DID SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT ENGINE THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP AND HAD INSERTS PUT IN FOR ALL 4 SPARK PLUGS ON THAT HEAD FOR $2000. *AK

SPARK PLUG BLOWS OUT OF ALUMINUM HEAD. THIS CAR HAS ONE OF THE MOST EXTENSIVE SERVICE RECORDS PASO ROBLES FORD HAS ON RECORD; THESE ARE THEIR WORDS. IN OTHER WORDS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED VERY VERY WELL AND TO HAVE THE PLUG BLOW OUT IN THE FIRST PLACE IS UNCALLED FOR. SECONDLY WE PAID TO HAVE A REMANUFACTERED ENGINE INSTALLED AND A FEW WEEKS LATER THE PLUG BLOWS OUT AGAIN. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON WHAT FORD CALLS A REVISED PART TO TAKE CARE OF PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THE ALUMINUM HEAD. FORD WILL NOT GIVE US A STRAIGHT ANSWER ON WHAT THE REVISION IS; THIS COULD BE ANYTHING-POSSIBLY NOT EVEN RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE ARE ONLY THREE THREADS GOING INTO THE ALUMINUM HEAD. APPARENTLY THE REVISION DOES NOT TAKE THIS PROBLEM INTO ACCOUNT BECAUSE IT ONLY TOOK A FEW...

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE LOST ENGINE COMPRESSION. DEALER NOTIFIED.