stupid engine light

[tyc11388]

just the upper
i went ahead and took the throttle body off to made it a little easier to work with

[texascowboy316]

i am about to give up i have been trying to fix this truck for a month. i am starting to think i should just trade it in. i don't know i just want to know if that is going to fix it

[tyc11388]

yes
my truck was doing the same exact thing
like i said its a known problem on the 4.2s we get them all the time at the ford dealer where i work
personally i think it should have been a recall

[texascowboy316]

yeah i think it should be a recall. you know ford knows about it. lol what tool gets to the very back bolt on the passsenger side gee that is a tight spot. i would go to a dealer but can't afford it. thanks for your help by the way

[tyc11388]

i had to use a short socket and a very small ratchet wrench

[texascowboy316]

alright i will try that this weekend. i guess. thanks. i sent ford a email regarding this issuse. they could care less about how many people have this problem. oh well guess thats what you pay for.

[motoservdog]

updates? my 01 v6 is throwing the 171 and 174 codes also. were you able to fix yours? thanks.

[texascowboy316]

no the only fix i could think of was just to trade it in. so sorry no help. i have heard it was in the upper intake though i just was tired of throwing money at it.

[JHG57]

After trying everything known to man, I accidently found the vacuum leak that was causing all of my grief on a 97 4.2 ... the little elbow on the bottom of the intake, under the throttle body had a hole on the back side where it was not visible. The engine was running at a VERY rough idle and I happened to stick my hand down on the back side of the elbow, the suction pulled my finger up against the elbow sealing the leak. The engine smoothed out and purred like it hasn't in mos. I pulled the elbow, wrapped it in "Arno, the 200 mph duct tape" , put it back in and reset the fault codes. I drove it for days .... perfect I went to the dealer today, bought a new one ($17.00 OUCH for a little piece of rubber) replaced it and all is well.

Note: This 4.2 has 144,000 plus miles on it, does not use water or oil.

[Cvan]

Sometimes it is the little things that drive you nuts. Just goes to show that trying just one more time can solve the problem. Congratulations on your success. Mine was a corroded plug on the O-2 sensor.
Chris

[BrianA]

Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.

Congrats!

[JHG57]

I have more time than money

[portageguy]

Hey all, new to the site. I just recently purchased a 1997 ford f-150 reg cab with a 4.2 v6.
"The engine was running at a VERY rough idle and I happened to stick my hand down on the back side of the elbow, the suction pulled my finger up against the elbow sealing the leak".
I have this trouble with my 4.2, and my question is, the little plastic piece that comes out of the plenum elow the EIC vale. The thing that the rubber elbow is connected to. Is that a PCV or a special part? When I was trying to replace my elbow, mine broke off and half is still in the plenum. I just need to know it isnt going to cost me a small fortune to get it out. Can I take the EIC off and push it out of the bottom, and replace it with a pcv from like autozone?
I have just joined, but been looking over the site for awhile and this site is a plethera of information and I appreciate all who can help. Thanks in advance Darin

[JHG57]

It is just a plastic pipe that runs from the elbow to the connection at the pcv valve. The pipe should not cost a fortune ... that said, the elbow cost me $17.00 !

[gregj]

Portageguy, That little pipe assembly with PCV and rubber boots cost me thirty something bucks at the ford dealer. Real pain to install on my 98 F150.