My 1997 Ford F150 pickup with a 4.2L V6 engine nearly self destructed. I would not have purchased this truck if I knew about the "Customer Satisfaction Recall" notice 99B29. This recall issued on December 1999 stated different models using 3.8L and 4.2L V6 engines may have gasket failure occur at the time chain cover. If this failure occured, water from the cooling system will enter the oil pan and the engine will fail.
As I reviewed the web about this problem, I read other peoples experiences. The one that caught my eye was if you notice water leaking under the engine compartment, the gasket has started to fail and if caught quick enough, the truck can be taken out of service and repaired before the engine failed. Most of the failures occured between 50,000 and 80,000 miles. Mine occured at 53,000 miles.
It cost me $550 to get the gasket replaced and refill the oil and the coolant system. I had a copy of the recall notice sent from Ford to the dealers with me, and the service department said there was nothing they could do about it except call Ford Motor Customer Service. I did. I got the explanation that the recall was over and nothing would be done; no, I have no recource; no, I cannot give you the next higher authority. Sorry.
I asked this person 1. Why wasn't my truck fixed when the recall came out 2. How long does Ford expect their engines to last, just up to 50,000 miles 3. What would you do if my engine had failed.
All the answers to these questions was bunk. They said the person who bought the truck new probably didn't bring it back. (Ya, sure, a $16,000 purchase price and will not bring it back for a free fix. I hardly believe that!) They continued to say Ford makes an excellent vehicle and its engines last hundreds of thousands of miles. If the engine had failed, I would be where I am at now, except about $3500 poorer instead of $550.
This is typical of Ford Motor, no wonder they are slowly loosing market share. I want my money back for this repair. I want Ford to own up to 127,000 engines built with these lousy gaskets. I want a truck I can depend on for at least 80,000 miles without a major breakdown.
Just in case you own a 1997 Ford F150 with the 4.2L V6 engine and it was assembled at the Norfolk Assembly Plant, Kansas City Truck Assembly Plant or the Ontario Truck Assembly Plant from Nov. 1,1995 thru Dec. 31,1996, you probably have one. Watch for water leaks, and if you have some, take it in right away or you will be walking.
One other thing, I am going to write anyone I can at Ford about this. They will probably ignore me, but if enough people complain, they will listen sooner or later.
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