4.2 liter vs.?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Let's revisit...
Profitability has nothing and everything to do with it.....If we were just dumping used cars off on people and didnt care if it ran in 2 weeks or not it might be different but we have to think about reliability and repair costs for the life of the loan (2-3yrs) and the service contract
Popularity of engines has nothing to do with it or we wouldnt buy F150's with the 4.2.....because as you said buyers believe what they hear..
To add to the popularity comment and service cost issues we also stay away from VW...Caddillac and Northstar engines... volvo....certain Chrysler's....and Saturn Vue
Popularity of engines has nothing to do with it or we wouldnt buy F150's with the 4.2.....because as you said buyers believe what they hear..
To add to the popularity comment and service cost issues we also stay away from VW...Caddillac and Northstar engines... volvo....certain Chrysler's....and Saturn Vue
What aspect of those trucks or 4.6 engines, exactly, is less reliable in your experience or in your perception of what the public thinks?
Although the 4.2, 4.6, and 5.4 are all decent engines, my sense is that the 4.2's have a bad rep due to the intake manifold gaskets, and the 5.4's spit plugs more often than 4.6's. From what I recall, the early 5.4's also had some head gasket problems. I also understand that most of those problems have been fixed years ago, but a reputation lasts a while.
So what's the bad rap on the 4.6? Seems to me it has the cleanest record.
And I know well about GM trucks being most desirable with a 350, much less so with a 305/307, for many years. But I don't see that diff between the 4.6 and 5.4. And in the days of $4 gas, seems to me the 4.6 might well have had an edge.
George
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
4.6l has no edge on the 5.4l. Same fuel mileage. The 4.6l has head gasket issues more than the 5.4l. The 4.6l would dump oil out the back side of the passenger side head. 4.6l and 5.4l both had the same problems with spitting plugs. The 4.2l had issues with water getting into the cylinder from a bad head gasket and hydro locking i belive. Other than that.
And i dont think these issues are all that common. Most people join a forum because they have a problem. So its only natural that we see an abundant amount of problems on here. Its a very small portion of the total engines that are out there.
And i dont think these issues are all that common. Most people join a forum because they have a problem. So its only natural that we see an abundant amount of problems on here. Its a very small portion of the total engines that are out there.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
The 4.2L had some problems in the first year or 2, but after that they are pretty bulletproof motors and I honestly wouldnt worry about them.
My grandfather had a '00 F-150 with a 4.2L in it and didnt have any trouble with it. The power was actually pretty snappy for a V6 too. The motor blows the doors off of a 300 I-6 in terms of acceleration. The old 300 might have had a bunch of torque off the line, but it starts to run out of steam after 45 mph.
One thing you need to remember when you read forums is that people tend to be very vocal about their problems, but tend to not say as much when they are happy with their vehicles.
You have to remember how many of these trucks Ford sells every year when you read about problems. The more of them that are on the road, the more potential for problems.
My grandfather had a '00 F-150 with a 4.2L in it and didnt have any trouble with it. The power was actually pretty snappy for a V6 too. The motor blows the doors off of a 300 I-6 in terms of acceleration. The old 300 might have had a bunch of torque off the line, but it starts to run out of steam after 45 mph.
One thing you need to remember when you read forums is that people tend to be very vocal about their problems, but tend to not say as much when they are happy with their vehicles.
You have to remember how many of these trucks Ford sells every year when you read about problems. The more of them that are on the road, the more potential for problems.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
For the record.....
1997 and early run 1998 4.2 motors had problems with higher than normal rates of premature failure of lower intake manifold gasket and/or timing chain cover gaskets.
Results could be coolant on the outside, or coolant on the inside resulting in hydrolock (and possible severe damage) or coolant in the oil resulting in bearing failure.
Ford came out with new style gaskets and revised torque procedure.
I know of no continuation of the same problems.
I had LIM gasket fail at 155,000 miles on my 2000 model (total cost to repair was $400 which included a little extra stuff).
My 05 has 163,000 miles and no sign of problems (slowly dropping coolant level is the indicator to look for)
335,000 miles between the 2000 and the 2005. Total engine related repairs over said mileage between both trucks:
About $600
LIM fail repairs
Alternator replacement
Radiator cleanout on the 2000
(as mentioned earlier: $0 spent thus far on repairs for the 05 engine/transmission)
That is a pretty good track record in my book.
1997 and early run 1998 4.2 motors had problems with higher than normal rates of premature failure of lower intake manifold gasket and/or timing chain cover gaskets.
Results could be coolant on the outside, or coolant on the inside resulting in hydrolock (and possible severe damage) or coolant in the oil resulting in bearing failure.
Ford came out with new style gaskets and revised torque procedure.
I know of no continuation of the same problems.
I had LIM gasket fail at 155,000 miles on my 2000 model (total cost to repair was $400 which included a little extra stuff).
My 05 has 163,000 miles and no sign of problems (slowly dropping coolant level is the indicator to look for)
335,000 miles between the 2000 and the 2005. Total engine related repairs over said mileage between both trucks:
About $600
LIM fail repairs
Alternator replacement
Radiator cleanout on the 2000
(as mentioned earlier: $0 spent thus far on repairs for the 05 engine/transmission)
That is a pretty good track record in my book.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
JL
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
JL
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: just north of louisville
As a retired police officer, I can tell you that any comment about the 4.6 being unreliable is pure BS. Other than cracked plastic intakes on some pre '03 models, they are pretty well bullet proof. Lots of old P71 Crown Vics running around with 300K on them. All that said, I have a 4.2 in my '01 reg cab short bed and love it.
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Indiana Cornfields
Going back to the original poster. You can't go wrong with any of these engines. The 4.6 seems to be great for middle ground. My girlfriend has the 5.4 and usually only gets like 11mpg, but its hard to know if thats accurate cause she is a female driver.
I personally have a 4.2L and I have never found a job it can't do. I plan on pulling a 5,000lb. 22 ft enclosed trailer down to Bristol with it in August. It won't get there fast, but I guarantee it will do it without complaining.
I personally have a 4.2L and I have never found a job it can't do. I plan on pulling a 5,000lb. 22 ft enclosed trailer down to Bristol with it in August. It won't get there fast, but I guarantee it will do it without complaining.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
Don't waste your time on the 4.2.
It has notably less power than the 4.6, is less long lived than the 4.6 generally, provides no better fuel mileage than the 4.6, and has notably more noise, vibration and harshness than the 4.6. There's a reason why Ford finally canned the little dinosaur turd in 2009 and kept the 4.6 2V as the base engine, because the 4.6 a better engine in every way with no penalty in fuel mileage.
The Canadian Essex V6 family is FAR from a gem.
It has notably less power than the 4.6, is less long lived than the 4.6 generally, provides no better fuel mileage than the 4.6, and has notably more noise, vibration and harshness than the 4.6. There's a reason why Ford finally canned the little dinosaur turd in 2009 and kept the 4.6 2V as the base engine, because the 4.6 a better engine in every way with no penalty in fuel mileage.
The Canadian Essex V6 family is FAR from a gem.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
From: Hernando Ms
With FEW exceptions,my 97 4.2 LWB automatic has performed flawlessly with anything Ive thrown at it. Fuel economy is excellent for a full size truck,and only wavers when you use the Air Conditioning frequently.
I wouldnt mind having the 4.6,but as ive heard it stated before,the 4.2 is indeed bulletproof,and im showing 168,000 on it. NO oil consumption,fires right every time,and no leaks.VERY reliable...my.02
I wouldnt mind having the 4.6,but as ive heard it stated before,the 4.2 is indeed bulletproof,and im showing 168,000 on it. NO oil consumption,fires right every time,and no leaks.VERY reliable...my.02
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
My 4.2 has 170k+ and is still running strong. Knock on wood nothing other than plugs wires have been replaced.
I even tow a boat thats probably 6000 lbs. (However I dont recommed it) You really need a v8 for that much weight.
I even tow a boat thats probably 6000 lbs. (However I dont recommed it) You really need a v8 for that much weight.
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