97 F150 Timing Chain Cover Leak

I also own a 1997 F150 V6 4.2L pickup truck that has suffered a timing chain cover leak which ultimately destroyed my engine. Although I did receive a recall notice for this defect, the notice arrived days only after my coolant level had dropped to nearly empty. As instructed, I brought the vehicle into a dealership as soon as they had an opening.

Initially, instructions were sent to the dealership in December 1999 specifying the procedure by which the recall was performed on my vehicle in late January 2000. In April 2000, three months AFTER my vehicle was 'repaired', Ford sent a 'Critical Supplement #1' to these dealerships stating that engine failures were ocurring despite the fact that these gaskets were replaced under the original set of instructions. I have a complete copy of this 'DEALERSHIP ONLY CRITICAL SUPPLEMENT #1' in my posession. Unfortunately, this new and improved set of instructions came too late for me.

Apparently, the dealership did not detect engine damage, (aka engine noise) before my vehicle was 'repaired' - but, rather, just replaced the defective cover gasket and sent me on my way. At the time of the repair, my vehicle had just over 60,000 miles on it.

By the time I had 110,000 miles on the truck, or only 50,000 additional miles on the engine since the recall repair (which according to FORD was not damaged during the first 60,000 miles) the engine had blown...at a FORD dealership, at the insistance of the FORD Customer Service representative, I had the problem diagnosed.

Finally, the dealership determined that there was coolant on the plugs, presumably from coolant leaking through the cover gasket at some earlier time since there were no drip marks along the block or from the heads.

The final determination of FORD's Customer Service people, two 'Zone Reps' and a dealership was as follows:

[paraphrased]
Unfortunately, FORD is unable to assist you in this matter as
(1) you are not a 'loyal FORD customer',
(2) there is over 100,000 miles on the vehicle (why didn't they tell me that BEFORE I paid for a towing and diagnostic fees at a FORD dealership?) and
(3) this is an isolated problem.

Now, I own a 1997 F150 4.2L V6 which is sitting in my driveway while I get around in a 1987 Honda Accord with 185,000 miles on it. The F150 is nearly worthless without a new engine and the cost exceeds $3000.

I have found over a dozen similar reports at the NHTSA website, however, I assume that since this timing cover gasket problem is not necessarily a 'safety' defect, the NHTSA will never be able to devote the time or the funds to investigating FORD's deliberate decision to neglect the problems stemming from the cover gasket leaks.

Why did FORD not recall that motor in April 1999 as they did with other FORD models with the same defect? Why did FORD wait eight months before recalling the F150? Why is FORD turning their back on another customer? And the biggest question of all is, will THIS customer EVER become a 'LOYAL FORD Customer?'

Mr. Bill Ford, since your company refuses to assist me in any way with the exhorbitant cost of a new motor I will never again purchase another FORD product if it meant I had to walk...and walking isn't easy for me since I am disabled, but, loyal American Veteran. 'Loyalty' isn't something I offer indiscriminantly, it must be earned, Mr. Ford. It seems to me that your company is, or at least has been, loyal to the dollar rather than to their customers. You already got my disability pension and I got a big maroon lawn ornament.