Please Read!! Troubles with Ford 4.2L V6
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Bilster (03-16-2015)
06-01-2011, 11:04 AM
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Hate to be the one to break the streak, my 2008 STX 4.2l has been in the shop for 2 weeks now with a head gasket leak (oil side). I discovered the leak while changing my oil one day and took it in before the warranty was up to have it checked. They also replaced a leaking power steering pump under warranty. Still driving the rental they gave me going on week 2! I only have 23,000 miles on the F-150 and used Mobil 1.
09-05-2011, 08:06 PM
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Round 2
Had the truck back for about 2 months now, head gasket still leaks, Ford authorized a head gasket cover replacement this time. It goes in next week and we'll see how this works out.
12-19-2011, 09:11 PM
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2008 4.2l gasket leak
My 2008 4.2l engine has been pulled out 3 times in the past 6 months for a leaking intake manifold gasket. My truck only has 27,000 miles on it. After each "fix" the leak came back. I just checked after having my truck back for a week now and its leaking again!
I just recently ordered and purchased a brand new, fully-loaded 2008 F-150 XLT regular cab with the 4.2L V6 engine that was made in the final month and year (May 2008) 
, due to Consumer Reports' rave with this engine. Some goody, high-tech options include reverse beeping sensor system, rear-view camera, auto-dim mirrors, etc. Sticker price was $29,350, and the dealer that I bought from thought I was insane. Only ONE fully-loaded F-150 V6 was produced by Ford this year. So far, I have 6,000 miles with no problems at all.
Every time I drive this truck, I always have a hard time understanding Ford's 4.2L V6 engine itself and its role of durability. The early ones did have gasket/rod problems (like all of you are experiencing), which lead to catastrophic failures, but after the gaskets were corrected in 1999, this engine really has rated high in reliability by Consumer Reports. I have all the Consumer Reports used car reliability data since 1965, and I have never seen anything like this before in an American vehicle when Consumer Reports rated the 4.2L V6 engine "excellent" (solid red dot) in reliability for FIVE straight consecutive years. The 2004-2008 generation with this engine all rated "excellent" (solid red dot) in their verdict reliability rating. This is a similar rating to a Honda or Toyota. Besides the V6 F-150, none of American vehicles has earned this rating so far. Not even the V8 Triton, 3.0L V6 Vulcan, and GM (Buick) 3800 can beat this rating. Earning "excellent" in reliability is extremely rare for domestics. Consumer Reports even claims that the 4.2L V6 engine is far more reliable than the old inline 4.9L I6. Despite the 4.9L I6's bulletproof design, the old inline engine earned anywhere from "poor" (black dot) to "average" (white dot) during the 80s and 90s, but never did earn at least "above average" (half-red, half white dot).
I have yet to find anyone having any problems (or gasket failures) with this engine in 2004-2008. I've searched through Google extensively with no luck so far. I'm still surprised (and I praised Ford) as of today that Ford could overturn this ho-hum V6 engine from being the most unreliable/terrible reputation ever made to the most reliable ever made by Ford (and domestics) in history. It's just incredible.
(No, I don't work for Ford.)
, due to Consumer Reports' rave with this engine. Some goody, high-tech options include reverse beeping sensor system, rear-view camera, auto-dim mirrors, etc. Sticker price was $29,350, and the dealer that I bought from thought I was insane. Only ONE fully-loaded F-150 V6 was produced by Ford this year. So far, I have 6,000 miles with no problems at all.Every time I drive this truck, I always have a hard time understanding Ford's 4.2L V6 engine itself and its role of durability. The early ones did have gasket/rod problems (like all of you are experiencing), which lead to catastrophic failures, but after the gaskets were corrected in 1999, this engine really has rated high in reliability by Consumer Reports. I have all the Consumer Reports used car reliability data since 1965, and I have never seen anything like this before in an American vehicle when Consumer Reports rated the 4.2L V6 engine "excellent" (solid red dot) in reliability for FIVE straight consecutive years. The 2004-2008 generation with this engine all rated "excellent" (solid red dot) in their verdict reliability rating. This is a similar rating to a Honda or Toyota. Besides the V6 F-150, none of American vehicles has earned this rating so far. Not even the V8 Triton, 3.0L V6 Vulcan, and GM (Buick) 3800 can beat this rating. Earning "excellent" in reliability is extremely rare for domestics. Consumer Reports even claims that the 4.2L V6 engine is far more reliable than the old inline 4.9L I6. Despite the 4.9L I6's bulletproof design, the old inline engine earned anywhere from "poor" (black dot) to "average" (white dot) during the 80s and 90s, but never did earn at least "above average" (half-red, half white dot).
I have yet to find anyone having any problems (or gasket failures) with this engine in 2004-2008. I've searched through Google extensively with no luck so far. I'm still surprised (and I praised Ford) as of today that Ford could overturn this ho-hum V6 engine from being the most unreliable/terrible reputation ever made to the most reliable ever made by Ford (and domestics) in history. It's just incredible.
(No, I don't work for Ford.)
Last edited by Robofire911; 12-19-2011 at 09:14 PM.
11-03-2012, 12:42 PM
#15
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After what date of Manufacture were the 4.2 problems fixed? I just bought really nice 1999 4.2 Manual Transmission work truck. Is returning very good gas mileage (I won't now how good until I get around to fixing the intermittent odometer). 128,000 miles...but now all these horror stories are starting to bug me...
Is there a VIN sequence after which all is well? My Date of Manufacture on the door sticker is 03/99, but I have no idea on the engine D of M.
Is there a VIN sequence after which all is well? My Date of Manufacture on the door sticker is 03/99, but I have no idea on the engine D of M.
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tattoogunman (07-14-2021)
11-03-2012, 01:16 PM
#16
What kind of mileage are you pulling? If my odometer would light up, I'd have a more accurate number, haha, but I think i'm doing low 20s if i keep it under 70 on the interstate.
08-18-2013, 11:24 PM
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You guys say that the timing cover issue was fixed in 99; does that mean that you would need to buy a 2000 to avoid the issue, or that the problem was fixed on the 99?
I'm looking at a 99 so I'd love to hear more about this! Thank you!
I'm looking at a 99 so I'd love to hear more about this! Thank you!
08-30-2013, 11:50 AM
#18
Your 1999 should be good. The gasket replacement is not an easy fix. It affects both the intake manifold AND the timing cover gaskets. Both will cause hydrolock conditions. Ask me how I know. My 1997 4.2 died from the head gaskets and my 1998 died from the timing cover gaskets. Both were low mileage trucks when they died. 1997: 110,000 and 1998- 112,000. Both died last year. I used the two dead motors to rebuild my 1997. Used Ford gaskets. You can't even buy the bad gaskets anymore if you purchase from the dealer. I did a V8/6 speed swap on the 1998 because it's a heavier extended cab that tows a 19 ft. RV trailer and it struggled with the six. Happy with both now.
Last edited by Bilster; 08-30-2013 at 11:52 AM.
02-15-2015, 08:10 PM
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After changing intake gasket oil pump,and sending unit, pressure is still indicating the textbook low pressure when at idle and foot on brake. Truck is 98 4.2 v6. Manual oil pressure test confirms gauge pressure. I am aware of possibility of failed bearings. But, could a failed timing gear gasket be giving me the low oil pressure indication?
03-13-2015, 07:56 AM
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I have a 1999 f150 with the 4.2L v6 and about a month ago i went to start it one morning and it wouldn't crank over so i thought it was a low battery (the battery was about 7 years old), put jumpers on it and it cranked but as soon as it cranked it threw a rod. Found out it was from coolant leaking into the cylinder which hydro-locked my engine. I now have a parts truck sitting in my driveway, I can't really complain though because it made it to 204,000 but it's still irritating.
So if you go to start the truck and it seems like it wants to turn over and you know that your battery is good, don't put jumpers on it because you might run into the same problem that i, along with others, have had.
Just thought i'd let you all know.
David
So if you go to start the truck and it seems like it wants to turn over and you know that your battery is good, don't put jumpers on it because you might run into the same problem that i, along with others, have had.
Just thought i'd let you all know.
David