97 4.2L is dead :*(
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 4
Started my 97 4.2 up about a month ago. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. I didn't know about the leaking at the time. I thought it was a rod bearing. Pulled the trans and exhaust, raised the motor, and put new rod bearings in. Started it up and KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Must have bent a rod or got a piston. Needless to say I was a bit angry. Since then I have found this site and the leaking problem. I have bought a fuel injected 5.0 HO out of a mustang and am currently in the process of swaping the V6 for the V8. It's going to be a pain with swaping the wiring and computer, but I won't have the leaking problem any more.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 11
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Well guys here is your update..
1200 bucks it cost me. I got to keep the bent rod.
It didnt tear up the engine. Turns out the intake gasket failed and allowed water into a cylinder and it hydro'd the motor. A new head gasket was put on too. They had to fish for little pieces and parts but found them.
Tonite, a week later, my truck won't start. Won't even turn over or anything. When I turn the key it just makes 1 click from the relay under the steering column and the lights blink. Its not the battery. Any ideas? I am getting real pissed off at FORD...
1200 bucks it cost me. I got to keep the bent rod.
It didnt tear up the engine. Turns out the intake gasket failed and allowed water into a cylinder and it hydro'd the motor. A new head gasket was put on too. They had to fish for little pieces and parts but found them.
Tonite, a week later, my truck won't start. Won't even turn over or anything. When I turn the key it just makes 1 click from the relay under the steering column and the lights blink. Its not the battery. Any ideas? I am getting real pissed off at FORD...
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 452
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If your battery is fine and the only sound you hear is the relay, then it’s likely you have a starter problem. Pull the starter out and have it checked at one of your local parts shops. It’s an easy task, disconnect the battery first and three bolts, two wires, and five minutes later you will have the starter off the truck.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
DaMan,
A small gasket leak allowed enough water into your motor to screw it up. do you do alot of underwater driving? I take my truck off road alot and have suck water right up into my intake, enough to stall the motor, and never developed any mechanical problems with it. And this is from driving through mud and water so deep that it basically completely submerged the motor and intake under water. Hmm, wierd.
Tom
A small gasket leak allowed enough water into your motor to screw it up. do you do alot of underwater driving? I take my truck off road alot and have suck water right up into my intake, enough to stall the motor, and never developed any mechanical problems with it. And this is from driving through mud and water so deep that it basically completely submerged the motor and intake under water. Hmm, wierd.
Tom
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: La Tech University, La
Busa, that is because you have water in all cylinders, it bogs all 6 cylinders down, there by slowing the whole motor as a unit. in his it is only one cylinder, so he has 5 more tryin to push that thing up at 3k RPMs or so, whereas your whole motor is slowing down
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,513
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From: La Tech University, La
Coolant, not exactly water, but water and anti freeze. from cooling vents inside the head leaking through a hole in the gasket understand? sorry leaking into the intake runners. got it now?
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida
Oh, coolant water....oooohhhhhhhh okayyyyyyyy,
Duuuuuuuuhhhhh!!!!!!!
I'm going to go visit that site again for a refresher coarse, www.imanidiot.com.
Duuuuuuuuhhhhh!!!!!!!
I'm going to go visit that site again for a refresher coarse, www.imanidiot.com.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
FWIW - My 4.2L is clattering too
FWIW..
My 4.2L in my 150 starting clattering during the last snow storm here. I've parked it. the Ford garage did seem to think the crankshaft was the "problem" I'm finding out that factory 4.2 is a POS. I've been looking at putting in a Jaspar Engine to replace the one that's in their.. The Jaspar has a 75k parts and labor warranty at one of the local engine shops they say it'll cost me about $4000.. My tranny is in good shape.. probably have them do the clutch when the pull then engine.
Any thoughts about the jaspar or whether rebuilding the engine might be cheaper and get me back where I need. I not rebuilt an engine on anything newer then about 75.. I did my 75 300 at about 200k but it was a cake walk compare to this.. I'd take the old iron anyday for a novice like me to work on.
Oh...
If you have the 4.2l buy the ESP from ford before your time expires. It may save you a couple of grand..
My 4.2L in my 150 starting clattering during the last snow storm here. I've parked it. the Ford garage did seem to think the crankshaft was the "problem" I'm finding out that factory 4.2 is a POS. I've been looking at putting in a Jaspar Engine to replace the one that's in their.. The Jaspar has a 75k parts and labor warranty at one of the local engine shops they say it'll cost me about $4000.. My tranny is in good shape.. probably have them do the clutch when the pull then engine.
Any thoughts about the jaspar or whether rebuilding the engine might be cheaper and get me back where I need. I not rebuilt an engine on anything newer then about 75.. I did my 75 300 at about 200k but it was a cake walk compare to this.. I'd take the old iron anyday for a novice like me to work on.
Oh...
If you have the 4.2l buy the ESP from ford before your time expires. It may save you a couple of grand..
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Lufkin