97 & up plug issue ?
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Joined: Jun 1999
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97 & up plug issue ?
I'm ready to get a newer truck.....and ...of course ...I stumbled upon the spark plug issue thru consumer reports and here as well......now I'm hesitant on the 4.6 or 5.4 V8 for that reason.......I gather the risk for plug blowing out happens after the factory ones are removed for the 100,000 tune up ? I'm lookin' at a nice 97 F150 Ext. Cab 5.4 2wd with 107,000 for $6000.00.
Was the 351W available in this body or just in the F250/350 class ? What do you guy's think of the 4.2 V6 ? I don't carry much payload and never have to tow more than my small boat or motorcycle trailer ....so the V6 may do the trick.
Thanks in advance,
Phillip
Was the 351W available in this body or just in the F250/350 class ? What do you guy's think of the 4.2 V6 ? I don't carry much payload and never have to tow more than my small boat or motorcycle trailer ....so the V6 may do the trick.
Thanks in advance,
Phillip
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
You have to take all that you have read about this with a grain of salt. Most people with this kind of problem will take it as far as they can, bad mouthing it. The truth behind this is that it is a very small percentage of these engines that every have the problem.
If the truck that you are looking at is in good shape and checks out good too and you like it, then go for it. You likely will have a long love affair with it for many years to come. 107K is just getting broken in too.
If the truck that you are looking at is in good shape and checks out good too and you like it, then go for it. You likely will have a long love affair with it for many years to come. 107K is just getting broken in too.
New User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Kettle Falls Washington
Go for it I bought a 97 super cab with 4.6 with 133000 miles on it. I love it. Past owner never had any of the problems "they say" could go wrong.I am sure I won't either, Oh by the way I put new plugs in last month I never had any problems.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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i had a 98 F150 with the 4.2 V6 5 speed.....it was no problem at all to tow my 21 ft. flatbed trailor with my 93 camaro and a fully built 305 on it ( notice i'm hauling chevy stuff ? 
) from a dead stop i could ease off the clutch and never press the gas and it'd take right off....best truck and motor i have ever owned....wished i still had it 
) from a dead stop i could ease off the clutch and never press the gas and it'd take right off....best truck and motor i have ever owned....wished i still had it
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Yes, a small percentage have this issue. Most do not.
The 4.2L V6, 4.6L and 5.4L V8's are the only engines available in 97-up F150's.
I'm quite happy with my 5.4L. I just changed the plugs last month at 72K and they were all snug like they should be and had no issues changing them. I wouldn't be scared of it.
The 4.2L V6, 4.6L and 5.4L V8's are the only engines available in 97-up F150's.
I'm quite happy with my 5.4L. I just changed the plugs last month at 72K and they were all snug like they should be and had no issues changing them. I wouldn't be scared of it.
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Just got back from test driving it...I like the truck overall....needs a good polish/wax and shampoo carpets.....a couple issues with the engine...the harmonic balancer needs to be changed right away(the rubber strip is coming out pretty good).....the PCV valve makes a stupid noise....other then that...the only thing I see underneath that needs addressing is a new set of sway bar links and restraighten the bottom leaf springs...I'm pretty sure I'm gonna buy it Monday !
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Carson City, NV
ive used my fathers f150 wih the 4.2 v6 to tow a 12' enclosed trailer loaded with all my tool boxes and furniture etc. with the bed loaded to when i was moving long distance. the truck towed pretty nice and got about 12-13 a gallon and we have never had any issues with it so far.
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I just had a plug blow in my 2001 F150. 94,000 miles. Plugs were changed at maybe 75K, torqued to specs.
Boom. Came undone at low speed. Dealer wanted $3,300...told me I'd really be better off spending 5k for new engine.
Of all the people I know that have had these trucks...mine is the only one I've known to have done it.
I'm sure it's a small percentage of the trucks that do it...but that doesn't help if you're in that group. If you have one fail on you...don't listen to the dealer. Go have someone put in a Time-Sert for 1/10th the cost of what the dealer wants to do.
Other than the plug issue my '01 has been a great truck.
Boom. Came undone at low speed. Dealer wanted $3,300...told me I'd really be better off spending 5k for new engine.
Of all the people I know that have had these trucks...mine is the only one I've known to have done it.
I'm sure it's a small percentage of the trucks that do it...but that doesn't help if you're in that group. If you have one fail on you...don't listen to the dealer. Go have someone put in a Time-Sert for 1/10th the cost of what the dealer wants to do.
Other than the plug issue my '01 has been a great truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
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From: Northern Indiana
I had a 97 ford f150 4x4 ext cab with the 4.6 and had no problems with it at all. When I put her to rest it had 205,000 miles on it and still ran strong. The only thing I had to change was the starter. I changed the plugs at least every 40,000 and never had one blow out. Stay away from the 4.2 my dad had one and it could barely get out of it's own way let alone tow anything at all.
