HELP PLEASE!! ENGINE FAILURE!!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Lewis County, WV, USA
HELP PLEASE!! ENGINE FAILURE!!
My son's truck is a 2002 F-150 XL, regular cab, short bed with the 4.2L V6. It's lifted with 33" tires and Flowmasters. The truck is up to about 137,000 miles and the engine failed. We're still waiting to see what has happened. The truck is a 5-spd manual also, forgot to add that. We don't know what to do. I've heard of disaster stories with this model 4.2L. The truck will sputter, pop, then quit running. I'm going to pick him up here soon and ask what happened. I'll try and keep it all updated. So I'll need help from all of you, as much help as possible.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 86
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From: Lewis County, WV, USA
This really doesn't sound good. I just got back. He said the truck made a popping sound that sounded about like a .22 rifle, then it quit. We're going to work on it tonight. I had to use my 2010 F-150 to tow it back here. Who wants to pay a $250-$300 towing bill?? Not me!!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
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From: Gatineau, Quebec
I'm not sure what disaster stories you've heard, but the 4.2 is a great engine. Some will argue it is too small for a pickup, but that another argument. The original gasket issues were resolved by the 99 model.
If the truck quit running, I would hazard a guess and say something has failed, but what makes you say it is the engine itself that is gone. I would check for codes first and see what that give you. I'm sure it's nothing major, unless there was an underlying issue that was neglected causing you to suspect an engine failure.
If the truck quit running, I would hazard a guess and say something has failed, but what makes you say it is the engine itself that is gone. I would check for codes first and see what that give you. I'm sure it's nothing major, unless there was an underlying issue that was neglected causing you to suspect an engine failure.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 86
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From: Lewis County, WV, USA
I'm not sure what disaster stories you've heard, but the 4.2 is a great engine. Some will argue it is too small for a pickup, but that another argument. The original gasket issues were resolved by the 99 model.
If the truck quit running, I would hazard a guess and say something has failed, but what makes you say it is the engine itself that is gone. I would check for codes first and see what that give you. I'm sure it's nothing major, unless there was an underlying issue that was neglected causing you to suspect an engine failure.
If the truck quit running, I would hazard a guess and say something has failed, but what makes you say it is the engine itself that is gone. I would check for codes first and see what that give you. I'm sure it's nothing major, unless there was an underlying issue that was neglected causing you to suspect an engine failure.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
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From: Gatineau, Quebec
For a couple of years, I'm sure some had thought they had bought a real expensive paperweight. By 99 though it was done with and my 4.2 now has about 265k kilometers( or roughly 165k miles), so hopefully I still have a lot of life left in mine.
Anyway, glad it turned out to be minor. Hopefully no damage was done to his engine when it overheated. I'm guessing that is what caused it to die.
I don't worry unless it sounds like a shotgun going off in the cab of a truck.....
then you know it's bad.
Actually, I was in the cab of a truck once when someone else in the cab fired a 12 gauge. Very loud!
Anyway, glad it turned out to be minor. Hopefully no damage was done to his engine when it overheated. I'm guessing that is what caused it to die.
I don't worry unless it sounds like a shotgun going off in the cab of a truck.....
then you know it's bad.
Actually, I was in the cab of a truck once when someone else in the cab fired a 12 gauge. Very loud!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,145
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From: Hernando Ms
Dont sell the 4.2 short...its not a powerhouse,but Ive had 2. one in a 97 LWB automatic,and you couldnt kill it no matter what. My present ride is an 07 with the same powertrain,and we love it. The 97 had 186,000 showing when I traded her in,and I have no doubt that somewhere shes doing what she did so well for me.
It is somewhat under powered to be in a full size truck,but Ill have this 07 for at least 15 more years.
It is somewhat under powered to be in a full size truck,but Ill have this 07 for at least 15 more years.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 86
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From: Lewis County, WV, USA
Dont sell the 4.2 short...its not a powerhouse,but Ive had 2. one in a 97 LWB automatic,and you couldnt kill it no matter what. My present ride is an 07 with the same powertrain,and we love it. The 97 had 186,000 showing when I traded her in,and I have no doubt that somewhere shes doing what she did so well for me.
It is somewhat under powered to be in a full size truck,but Ill have this 07 for at least 15 more years.
It is somewhat under powered to be in a full size truck,but Ill have this 07 for at least 15 more years.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Lewis County, WV, USA
For a couple of years, I'm sure some had thought they had bought a real expensive paperweight. By 99 though it was done with and my 4.2 now has about 265k kilometers( or roughly 165k miles), so hopefully I still have a lot of life left in mine.
Anyway, glad it turned out to be minor. Hopefully no damage was done to his engine when it overheated. I'm guessing that is what caused it to die.
I don't worry unless it sounds like a shotgun going off in the cab of a truck.....
then you know it's bad.
Actually, I was in the cab of a truck once when someone else in the cab fired a 12 gauge. Very loud!
Anyway, glad it turned out to be minor. Hopefully no damage was done to his engine when it overheated. I'm guessing that is what caused it to die.
I don't worry unless it sounds like a shotgun going off in the cab of a truck.....
then you know it's bad.
Actually, I was in the cab of a truck once when someone else in the cab fired a 12 gauge. Very loud!
I know, I did kind of exagerate a lil' didn't I. No???
It just scared the crap out of me when I got the phone call. Read my reply to another post and you'll see what my son said. hehe You have a good day!
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
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Hopefully this thing is Built Ford Tough and lasts him longer than the Dodge he had. lol The Dodge was his choice. He bought one with 247,000 miles with the 4.7 V8 and the truck was burning oil after about a month and then the cam phasers failed at 'bout 260K. No more Dodges, he learned the lesson!!!
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 27
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From: South Florida
I've rebuilt two 4.2L in F150. Both had rod bearing go out. One the guy caught it early and just a spun rod bearing and the other guy drove it until the motor locked up. But after rebuilding them both they have alittle over 100K right now. I wouldn't say it's the motor fault.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
He bought a used truck with 247k miles on it, it crapped out, and somehow that is the trucks fault? Fact is, there are very few trucks that live that long regardless of who built them. Ford has definately built their share of junk. I ran Dodge diesles for years when Fords diesel choice was the 6.0L. Those Dodges were some of the best vehicles I have ever owned. I know this is a Ford truck site but blind brand loyalty is a pretty humorous read.
Sorry, if your feelings were hurt.
And if you don't think trucks don't last long past the 250k mark, you've spent way too much time driving "the other brands".
.....talk about a humorous read
