Hello all, I have a 99 F150 with the 4.2 v6, I am quite experienced with Ford v8s but I haven't worked on a v6 before. I would not be here asking a question if this engine was out of the truck, but the way the engine is positioned in this truck, I can't see or feel the back of the intake manifold area, not even with a mirror. I have what sounds like a large vacuum leak, like if the PCV or brake booster hose were disconnected, but I can't reach my hand back there to feel or wiggle anything.

My question is, does anybody have a picture of the back of one of these engines? I am going to get a couple cans of ether today and check to see if I can find a general area where the leak is coming from.

One thing I experienced last night while looking for this leak was THEEEE most painful electrical shock of my life, I have been shocked by sparkplug wires, welders and electrical outlets, none of those hurt like what I experienced last night. I disconnected 2 of the 3 sparkplug wires on the driver side to allow room for my arm to fit to the back of the manifold. It has to be running for the leak to take place, so I started the engine. Knowing there was a risk of a shock I was trying to be careful not to get too close to the coil. The shock I got was in the right bicep area and I don't know why it hurt so bad, but I was in pain for a good five minutes. I WILL not do that again, so if anyone could share a picture of the rear manifold area, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

Sorry no one here could help me with my problem, I found my leak, turns out it wasn't at the back after all. It was the front end pcv elbow in a terrible to get at place. I looked around my various vehicles looking for a replacement elbow and I didn't have any actual vacuum elbows that size. I ended up using a 90º spark plug boot. Hopefully this holds up for a while.