I have the same complaint about my 97 F150 a lot of people do. I have 4.2 V6 that locked up on me a few months ago. I heard there was a recall on the motor for a coolant gasket but I never received one. From what I understand even the ones that got change went bad anyway. Please help make Ford own up to this engineering defect and replace these motors. Thank you.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

1997 Ford F150 4.2 L V-6 leaking lower intake manifold gasket destroys engine!

- Smyrna, GA, USA

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.

- Austin, TX, USA

I have a 97 Ford F150. They are known to have gasket failure. I am on my 3rd motor in it. They dont make it 100,000 mile. You just start them @ they will blow.

- Scottsville, KY, USA

I have a 1997 F150 with a 4.2L V6 engine. I had a leaking intake manifold gasket replaced a year ago which I never received a recall from Ford motor on. I am the original owner and have the same address as to when I purchased this truck. Since the gasket was replaced, several months later I started having oil pressure problems. Now I am starting to hear a knock. Talking to my mechanic, he said it was a rod and bearings. I pulled up the recall # 99-20-7 which explains this problem. I feel like Ford should have to pay for the damages that this has caused. By the way this truck only has 46,000 original miles on it!! have talked to numerous people in forums that have the same problem. They say no luck out of Ford. What will it take to get this resolved" had a mechanic at my local Ford dealership look at it and said same thing. How could we go about getting a lawyer to start a class action lawsuit? your help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I did get a recall for the cruise control problem that would cause it to catch fire. Why didn't I get the other ones"

- Texarkana, AR, USA

1) no events leading to failure. Original owner, well maintained vehicle with 98,000 miles. 2) engine siezed during start (4.2 liter with apparent history of manifold gasket flaw leading to failure) 3) vehicle not repaired due to high cost of engine rebuild or replacement

- Clarkston, MI, USA

Engine failure due to defective gasket leak on 1997 Ford F150 V6 2.4 engine at 43,000 miles

- Canonsburg, PA, USA

Engine failure due to faulty gasket

- Lompoc, CA, USA

I have 1997 Ford F150 4.2L pick-up that has the "famos" anti freeze internal leak that has ruined my motor. I have 56,000mi on it, and feel Ford has sold millions of these lemons and are doing nothing about it! is there any hope for "us" who got screwed?

- Chico, CA, USA

I have a 1997 Ford F-150 with 87,000 miles on it. The motor is a 4.2L V6. It all began when I noticed the anitfreeze level seemed to keep going down even after I would fill the coolant jug to the proper level. Last week I noticed that the motor seemed harder to start and thought the battery was going dead. The next day I went to start my truck and when I turned the ignition the motor made a loud pop and wouldn't do anything. I had to have the truck towed to my local garage and the mechanic told me that either the intake manifold gasket, the head gasket, or the timing chain cover gasket had failed allowing coolant to enter my motor. This caused my motor to completely seize up. The end result is that I now need a new motor that is going to cost me over $3,000. I contacted Ford customer service and they told me that they had no record of this happening to anyone else and since no warranty or recall was in effect I would receive no reinbursement. I thought this was odd since I have found several web sites saying this has happened to several 4.2L V6 motors. I hope that you will look into this and make Ford pay if the gaskets are found to be of poor quality.

- Woodlawn, VA, USA

In October of 2003, the check engine light came on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and they said the problem was fixed. The dealer also mentioned that the problem was something near the carburetor.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Defective intake manifold gasket in 1997 Ford F150 4.2L V6 engine 70899 miles. Antifreeze leaks into number 4 cylinder. When engine starts resulting "hydro-lock" shears off conecting rod and destroys engine.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

Was never notified of a recall99B29 for a timing cover/water pump gasket on my 1997 Ford F-150 [xxx]. in November 2004 I was losing coolant and took it to my local Ford dealer and he gave me an est. Of $1500. At that time I couldn't afford it. I had it repaired at a reliable repair shop for $800. I had just found out about the recall from a co-worker who also has a vehicle mentioned in the recall. I feel that should be due reburstment of the repairs for that fact I did not receive the re-call.their records will show that other recalls I have had it in for the repairs. This vehicle only has 58,000 miles on it! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Mantua, NJ, USA

1. purchased Ford F-150, [xxx], with 4.2 L six at 15,000 miles at sun state Ford of orlando fl. 2. in 2004, noticed unexplained coolant leaks. 3. engine front cover gasket failed in line with recall 99B29, but this information was not known at that time; Ford does not include this truck, built 03/97, in recall campaign 99B29, indicating the original recall has been inadequate. 4. on 4/22/05 at 66,713 miles, lower intake manifold side gaskets failed, allowing coolant to leak into a cylinder, leading to a thrown rod and engine failure. Issue is addressed by Ford with tsb article no. 99-20-7. 5. dealer refused to help except to offer a rebuilt engine for $4500; Ford customer relationship call center related that the recall covered up to 12/31/96, and this truck was made 3/97. No offer of help nor appeal there, either. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Orlando, FL, USA

Went to start truck began knocking from motor upon starting.motor thrown rod had to be replaced.this 1997 F-150 only had 93000 miles not even mech.limit what a lemon Ford built here.

- Hummelstown , PA, USA

Truck would sutter at stops and hesitate when accelerating with loss of coolant.

- Midland, NC, USA

Ford F150 1997 defect gaskets and cooling system leaked. The consumer was aware of another vehicle with the same make/model that had the same problem. The consumer requested reimbursement. The ball joints were replaced.

- Amherst, NY, USA

My truck is a 1997 Ford F-150 with 140000 miles last week I took my truck to the auto shop because I couldnt find out were the antifreeze was going I was told that 4.2liter have a problem with a head gasket was thin and-antifreeze leak in motor and washing out bearing.

- Raytown, MO, USA

I have a 97 Ford F150 XL with a 4.2L 6cyl engine. There has always been a small loss of coolant and neither Ford service techs nor private machanics could ever find the leak. Well in Jan 2005 after the truck sat in the driveway for about 4 days and I started the truck and the engine blew. Towed it to a local shop and mechanic said the coolant was leaking into the engine and caused the damage. $4000 plus to fix it. After serching the internet I find that this is a very wide spread problem. I am trying to sell the truck to get a little money to help buy another vehicle. Help!

- Opelika, AL, USA

The vehicle with 4.2L engine commenced to run rough at any speed. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the engine had a blown head gasket. Consumer contacted the dealer, who informed the consumer that the vehicle was not covered under a recall.

- San Diego, CA, USA