1998 FORD F-150 Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED ANTI FREEZE INTO THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER AS A RESULT THE ENGINE BLEW APART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

HAD THE 7 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG SHOOT OUT OF THE HEAD AND STRIP THE THREADS. *TR

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE ROTTED, CAUSING THE EXHAUST TO LEAK INTO THE CABIN. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

# 5 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY 1998 FORD F-150 5.4 LTR ENGINE. RETURNING HOME FROM ALABAMA. I HAD JUST GOTTEN THROUGH CHARLOTTE, NC WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND OF A VERY BAD EXHAUST LEAK. WHEN I STOPPED AND LIFTED THE HOOD I COULD SEE THE COIL PACK BOUNCING UP AND DOWN. I HAD TO PAY A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR $420.00 TO TOW ME HOME. TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 5.4. IT WILL COST ABOUT $300.00 OR MORE TO REPAIR WITH A HELI COIL. (THAT'S IF IT IS REPAIRABLE WITH A HELI COIL). HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE FINAL BILL YET. ALSO, FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE PLUGS WHERE REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2009 BY THE CARLOT GARAGE WHICH I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM. *TR

I AM THE UNHAPPY OWNER OF A 1998 FORD F150 WITH A 4.2L V6 ENGINE. IT SLUNG A ROD THIS MORNING AS SOON AS I STARTED IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AN FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 98 4.2L'S DUE TO FAULTY GASKET. I'VE READ ALOT OF STORY'S ABOUT THE SAME TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ENGINES. THERE IS A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING READY TO SPEND 3 OR 4 GRAND FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES. ISN'T FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECTS THAT THERE TRUCKS HAD COMING OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE. *TR

04/17/2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 AM OUR FORD F-150 XLT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF IN OUR DRIVEWAY OF A SINGLE DWELLING HOME. WE AND NEIGHBORS HEARD MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS THAT SHOOK OUR HOUSE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHOOTING UP 12+ FEET. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN THE FIRE WAS OUT THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE TRUCK WAS GONE, BURNT INTO THE FIBERGLASS TOPPER, BLEW OUT ALL BUT TWO BACK WINDOWS AND MELTED ALL WIRING BACK TO THE REAR SHELL WINDOW. THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINS IS THE BACK HALF OF THE TRUCK AND BACK TIRES. *TR

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, DROVE TRUCK IN TOWN AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, THEN WOULD NOT TURN OVER NEXT DAY, RADIATOR COOLANT IN CYLINDERS, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE OIL OK, COOLANT LEVEL OK. TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE THEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 F150 PICKUP WITH A 5.4 ENGINE THAT IS KNOWN TO HAVE A DEFECT IN GETTING THE #4 SPARK PLUG REMOVED. THIS IS A $1200 TO $2200 REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE BY FORD NOT THE CONSUMER. THIS PLUG HAS IS SUPPOSE TO BE GOOD FOR A 100K MILES, I HAVE 97K. ALL MECHANICS KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE TO BUY A SPECIAL TOOL TO TRY TO REMOVE THIS PLUG. PROBLEM IS IF IT DOESN'T WORK THEN THEY HAVE TAKE THE ENGINE APART TO DO THIS. THIS IS WERE THE PROBLEM LIES. FORD IS ACTING LIKE IT IS NOT A PROBLEM AND/OR I SHOULD GET OVER IT BECAUSE IT IS A 1998 OUT OF WARRANTY. A LOT OF PEOPLE WON'T KNOW THIS UNTIL THEY REACH 100K MILES AND WANT TO REPLACE THIS PLUG. IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD...

WHAT ISN'T WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK? WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT...SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE BEING DRIVEN, INTERIOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY STAY ON, BOTH DOORS ARE RUSTING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM, KNOB TO REGULATE TEMPERATURE FELL OFF AND ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT, FRONT BRAKES CALIPERS STUCK AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS RUSTED OFF TWICE, TRANSMISSION WENT UP AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, RADIATOR RUSTED THROUGH, AND THE HEADLINER IS FALLING DOWN OFF THE CEILING. I'VE PROBABLY MISSED SOMETHING BUT CAN TELL YOU THAT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD. *TR

FORD ISSUED TSB 99-20-7 COVERING COOLANT LEAKS IN 1999. I HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM UNTIL MAY OF 2008. THE PROBLEM IS THAT FORD RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM YEARS AGO FAILED TO RECALL OR INFORM THE OWNERS. THE RESULT WITH THE VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY IS A LOWER HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT COSTING $1500-2300 IF THE ENGINE HAS NOT SEIZED IF THE ENGINE HAS EXPERIENCE HYDROLOCK (ENGINE SEIZURE) REPLACEMENT COSTS ARE MORE THAN $4000. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PERSONS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I'M INCLUDING WEBLINKS TO REVIEW. HTTP://FORUMS.TREEMEDIA.COM/FB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=224&PAGE=1&PP=15. *TR

WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AT 7AM, MY 1998 FORD F-150 WAS ON FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT HAD BEEN PARKED SINCE APPROXIMATELY 10PM ON THE PREVIOUS EVENING. *TR

MY 1998 FORD F150 TRUCK EJECTED A SPARK PLUG WHILE DRIVING AT LOW RPM'S. NUMEROUS WEBSITES HAVE STATED THE HEAD DESIGN IS FLAWED AND ONLY ALLOWS 3 THREADS TO CATCH. UPON EJECTION OF THE SPARK PLUG THE THREADS ON THE ENGINE HEAD ARE REMOVED. FORD HAS A NEW DESIGNED ALUMINUM HEAD TO OMIT THE PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T IT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH A RECALL? NOT ONLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE, DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY LOSING POWER, BUT A BAD DESIGN. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AS THE FIFTH AND SIXTH CYLINDERS. THE REPAIR HAS NOT YET BEEN MADE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,250.

I LEFT MY 1998 FORD F150 PICK-UP TRUCK IN PARKING LOT AT WORK WHILE I WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS. I LEFT ON MONDAY JULY 30. I WAS CALLED TUESDAY NIGHT AROUND 9:00PM AND NOTIFIED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT FIRE. FIRE REPORT SUSPECTED EQUIPMENT FAILURE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORT AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE. FIRE WAS PUT OUT, BUT VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOSS AND TOWED FROM PROPERTY. *TR

ENGINE FAILED DUE TO POOR QUALITY PARTS. COOLANT LEAKED INTO CYLINDER, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE, CAUSING A BENT ROD, MEANING $3000. ALL COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD HAVE TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUED A RECALL AND FIXED A SIMPLE GASKET, $400 PROCEDURE MAXIMUM. FORD CONTINUES TO DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT HELP! *AK

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. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1998 FOR F-150 ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE MORNING OF 02/09/07 HE HAD NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. AFTER A DAY OF DRIVING HE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO WESTERLY TIRE, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 76000.*AK

1) AROUND MAY 2004, I NOTICED I WAS NEEDING TO ADD WATER TO MY 1998, FORD F150, 4.2L V6 QUITE FREQUENTLY. 2) WATER ENTERED THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE, LONG STORY SHORT, MY MOTOR SLUNG A ROD THROUGH THE OIL PAN, IN TURN, COSTING AROUND $4,000.00 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX. 3) FORD KNOWS OF THE MANY, MANY FAILURES OF THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE YEARS OF 1997, 1998, AND PART OF 1999. I, LIKE MANY OTHERS, NEVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF NOTICE CONCERNING THIS SITUATION. I WOUND UP REBUILDING THE ENTIRE MOTOR DUE TO AN INTAKE GASKET MALFUNCTION THAT FORD COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED BY WAY OF A RECALL NOTICE. *NM

SPITTING OUT SPARK PLUGS. *JB

1998 4.2L V6 FORD ENGINE COOLANT LEAK IN ENGINE CAUSING HYPERLOCK AND BLOW A ROD NEED TO REPLACE ENGINE. *NM

ENGINE HARD TO START,SMOKED AFTER IT DID, GASKET FAILURE CYLINDER FILLED WITH COOLANT CAUSING CONNECTING ROD TO BEND OR BREAK. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR BODY WORK, IT SAT FOR 2 WEEKS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FOLLOWING THE 2 WEEKS, THE ENGINE NOISE WAS LOUDER THAN NORMAL, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. A PRIVATE MECHANIC WAS CONSULTED, WHO DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. ALSO, THE DOORS HAD CRACKED ONE HALF INCH FROM THE CORNER OF THE WINDOW SEAL. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CRACKS WERE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR.

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. *JB

(1) CAR WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING LIKE A DEAD BATTERY. I JUMPED THE CAR AND HEARD A LOUD CLATTERING SOUND FROM ENGINE. (2) LEAKING FRONT COVER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS IN A 4.2 L V-6 ENGINES CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. (3) CURRENTLY REPLACING ENGINE.*AK

I AM ONE OF MANY OWNERS OF THE FORD F-150 4.2 ENGINE TRUCKS (OURS IS A 1998) THAT HAS ENCOUNTERED ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE DUE TO LEAKING HEAD GASKET. IT APPEARS FROM INFORMATION GATHERED FROM NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND FROM SPEAKING TO OTHERS THAT THIS IS A VERY OBVIOUS AND COMMON ISSUE THAT FORD HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE. WE ARE ASKING THAT YOUR AGENCY TAKE ACTION TO HELP INITIATE A CLASS-ACTION SUIT OR SOME HOW FORCE FORD TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. *JB

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150 PICKUP. WHIILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. NO WARNING AT ALL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED 650 MILES BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. *AK

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...

98 FORD F-150 WITH 4.2L WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALMOST ALL OF THESE ENGINES AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, I NOTICED MY TEMP GAUGE IN THE RED AND MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AT ZERO. THE "CHECK OIL" LIGHT WAS LIT AS WELL. THE TRUCK AT THE TIME WAS RUNNING FINE, NO NOISES FROM THE ENGINE AND NO SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP WHICH HAPPENS TO BE A FORD DEALER; DIABLO FORD IN PITTSBURGH, CA. ON 09/12/05, THE FIRST DAY THE SERVICE DEPT WAS ABLE TO GET TO IT, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER TELLING ME THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE PULLED AND DISASSEMBLED TO CHECK ENGINE BEARINGS, CONNECTING RODS, VALVES AND PISTONS TO SEE IF THERE IS MORE DAMAGE THAN JUST BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. SO FAR THE QUOTE WITH INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS NOT DAMAGED IS $3200. THAT QUOTE...

DT: 1998 FORD F150. COOLANT IN THE OIL, AND SERIOUS ENGINE NOISE. THE ARE WHITE VAPORS FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION YET. UNABLE TO DRIVE AUTOMOBILE.*AK

HEAD GASKET/ HEAD BOLT FAILURE AT 66,000 MILES. MECHANIC REPORTED IT DURING ROUTINE SERVICE. SAID 3 THINGS CAUSE THIS FAILURE. 1. LACK OF COOLANT (OVERHEATING), 2. DEFECTIVE GASKET OR 3. FACTORY DEFECT DURING THE MILLING THE HEAD. MECHANIC REPORTED THIS AS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF FORD TRUCK. SINCE THE COOLANT LEVEL HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED, THAT LEAVES THE OTHER TWO POSSIBILITIES. SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED, PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT RIGHT AWAY. NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM BEFORE HAND. NO TSB ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT SOME FOR OTHER FORD VEHICLES IN SAME MANUFACTURING YEAR. SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER FORD 150S' WITH PREMATURE BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. REPAIRS AT FORD DEALER WERE $2300 WITH LITTLE CHOICE TO GO ELSEWHERE. PROBLEMS WITH DEALER IN GETTING REPAIR DONE CORRECTLY, BUT THAT IS A DIFFERENT COMPLAINT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER RECALLS FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS OVER THE YEARS,...

DT: CONSUMER SAID THAT SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN VEHICLE AT ABOUT 30 MPH UP HILL. THIS HAPPENED IN THE DAY TIME. CONSUMER SAIDTHAT HIS VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE TO BE REPAIRED. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHICH CYLINDER. CONSUMER DID REPORT THIS TO FORD.*AK

COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE DUE TO A FAULTY DEISGN OF THE FRONT COVER GASKET CAUSING A BENT ROD DUE TO UNCOMPRESSIBLE COOLANT IN THE CYLINDERS.

OVERNIGHT HYDROLOCK CONDITION, CAUSED BY FAULTY INTAKE GASKETS AND CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS, CAUSING IMMEDIATE AND UNFORSEEN INTERNAL DAMAGE UP TO AND INCLUDING DAMAGE TO PISTONS, RODS, CRANKSHAFT, AND BEARINGS. WE WERE NON-INFORMED DUE TO FORD'S NEGLET TO SEND APPROPRIATE RECALL NOTICES FOR BOTH VEHICLES OWNED BY OUR FAMILY. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITHIN THE INTERNET COMMUNITY, AND ALTHOUGH FORD DID ISSUE RECALL NOTICES, WE DID NOT RECIEVE ANY TO OUR CURRENT KNOWLEDGE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE APPARENTLY IT IS TOO LATE TO TURN IN A RECALL. THE RESPONSE GIVEN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM ETHICAL IN MY EYES, AND MANY CONSUMERS ARE OUT OF TRANSPORTATION AND BE OUT THE MONEY THAT THIS WILL COST THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES. THESE ARE HONEST, HARD WORKING CITIZENS THAT HAVE BELIEVED IN FORD FOR MANY YEARS, AND FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM TO...

1.WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES, RETURNED HOME. TRIED TO START MY TRUCK THE SECOND DAY TO BRING IN THE GARAGE, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK!!! ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN !!!! 2.RIGHT LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD SIDE GASKETS FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE OIL AND CYLINDER. ISSUE IS ADDRESSED BY FORD WITH TSB ARTICLE NO. 99-20-7 3.ENGINE FAILURE, BENT RODS!!!!! HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE!!

HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 V6 FORD F-150 PICK UP, REGARDING COOLANT/WATER LOSS, SO HAVE CONTINUALLY DONE COOLANT MAINTENANCE. STARTED THE TRUCK UP LAST SATURDAY 5/7/06 AND THE ENGINE MADE AN AN AWFUL SOUND, AND WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE THE DAY BEFORE. MY TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC YESTERDAY, AND THEY SAY THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, WHICH WILL COST $4,000.00 PLUS. I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS FROM F-159 V6 OWNERS, 1997-2000. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPOSSESSED, AS I STILL OWE $4,000 PLUS ON IT. I CANNOT AFFORD THE REBUILT ENGINE REPAIR, AND NOW HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. ALSO, I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED AND LOOKING FOR WORK. FORD COMPANY NEEDS TO DO RIGHT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS, AS THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY F-150 OWNERS. A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS CURRENTLY ON-GOING IN NORTHERN...

WHEN I STARTED MY 1998 FORD F-150 TODAY, A GREAT DEAL OF NOISE OCCURRED AND FINALLY A ROD SHOT OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF MY TRUCK'S OIL PAN. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 72,000 MILES ON IT. UPON INVESTIGATION, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 4.2 LITER ENGINE. APPARANTLY FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX IT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE HEAD GASKET GOING BAD PUTTING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE CREATING THE FAILURE. PLEASE HELP OTHERS SO THAT WON'T HAVE TO SHELL OUT $2,500 FOR A NEW ENGINE OR POSSIBLE GET HURT FROM FLYING PARTS!

CATATROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT 52000 MILES. FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM SIMILAR TO 3.8L ENGINE TSB NOTICE. ON DISASSEMBLY BY PROFESSIONAL GARAGE THEY INDICATED HEAD GASKET FAILURE AS CAUSING THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING TO FAIL, (SIMILAR TO 3.8L FAILURES).*AK

PARKED TRUCK IN DRIVEWAY. RUNNING FINE. 2 HOURS LATER STARTED TRUCK. WHITE WATER VAPOR FROM EXHAUST AND ROD KNOCKING. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING HYDROLOCK. REMOVED ENGINE REPLACED ROD PISTON AND BEARINGS. HAVE OLD PISTON AND ROD.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

THIS COMPLAINT WAS RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. 4.2L ENGINE BECAME DISABLED AND BURNED A BEARING IN THE CRANK SHAFT. HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED BY FORD AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD AND THIS SIZE ENGINE.*AK

I TOOK MY 1998 FORD F150 V6 FOR A MINOR REPAIR AND WHEN I CHECKED WITH MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THAT HE FOLDED WATER IN THE OIL. MECHANIC INFORMED ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT.*AK DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE KNOWN ISSUE WITH CETAIN FORD ENGIINES AND I FELT I WS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH A LEAKING HEAD GASKET PROBLEM

(1) NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. (2) STARTED HARD, HEAVY WHITE SMOKE OUT THE EXHAUST AND KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. ONSEQUENCES - #4 & #5 RODS IN CYLINDERS STRESSED. (3) CORRECTION OF FAILURE - 4.2L ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT MY EXPENSE. FORD WOULD NOT BACK UP EVEN THOUGH I HAVE OBTAINED TSB-99-20-7 AND THIS TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED 12/97. RECALL WAS THRU 5.1.97 AND ENGINE WAS PUT IN TRUCKS UNTIL 1.15.98.*AK

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE FIRED UP. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE RODS WAS BENT IN THE ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED.

I HAVE A 1998 F150 I BOUGHT NEW. I HAVE BEEN A FORD PERSON FOR MANY YEARS BUT WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD UNTIL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE CORRECTED. AT 72,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. ($2,200), AT 92,000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IDLING WAS ROUGH BUT DROVE FINE. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC HE SAID TUNE-UP WOULD CORRECT IT. $400 LATER, STILL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IDLE ROUGH. IT JUST STOPPED AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. I'M HAVING TO REPLACE THE BLOCK ECT.. HAVING TO CONTINUE TO PAY A NICE VEHICLE PAYMENT EACH MONTH AND INSURANCE AND STILL NOT HAVING A VEHICLE TO DRIVE IS RIDICULOUS. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD!! KL. *LA

LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET AND GASKET AROUND SPARK PLUGS LEAKING ALLOWING OIL IN CYLINDER. REPAIRED LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO AT 30,000 MILES. HAS REOCCURED AT 33000 MILES. DEFECTIVE PARTS? *TT

I WAS COMING FROM THE DOCTOR WITH MY WIFE WHEN MY TRUCK STARTS DOING A LAUD KNOCKING SOUND. I COULD NOT FIGURE WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE TEMPERATURE, BATTERY, OIL PRESSURE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME I HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET AND FOUND THAT IT DAMAGE A #1 CYL, BEND CONNECTING ROD, CRACK PISTON AND OF COURSE A BAD HEAD. TO FIX IT WAS OVER $2,500. I LIVE IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY WITH A FIX INCOME SINCE FEBRUARY AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY ALL THAT MONEY AND BARELY MAKE THE PAYMENTS. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT HAS BEEN LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE ENGINES AND HEAD GASKETS. I TOLD MY STEPDAUGHTER AND WE WENT ON-LINE SURPRISED TO SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS SINCE 1998 ON THE 3.8-LITER...