The engine is a car’s heart; when it fails, the car cannot function normally. That is why Ford has put so much effort into the 4.2l V6, also known as the Ford Essex V6 engine. In this post, we will tell you about ford 4.2 v6 intake manifold problems and their fixes
The Ford 4.2-liter V-6 engine, also known as the Canadian Essex engine, overcame early gasket issues to become a reliable long-running engine. However, those early issues dogged the engine’s reputation.
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What Causes Ford 4.2 V6 Intake Manifold Problems?
The 4.2-liter truck was plagued by intake manifold gasket issues from the start. Coolant leaked internally if the gasket failed, causing significant damage. The issue arose as a result of engines built with obsolete lower intake manifold gaskets and other gasket issues.
1. Gasket Problems
The design and construction of the intake manifold gasket on the workhorse 34.2L Ford V6 engines may cause a problem.
Ford has a silicone rubber bead that connects the coolant and intake ports. Silicone rubber is used in a separate coolant port bead by brand OE. Coolant comes into contact with silicone in both gasket designs. Oil and coolant come into contact with silicone in the Ford gasket design. In both cases, the silicone swells, which can contribute to premature gasket failure. which causes errors in ford 4.2 v6 intake manifold problems.
These gaskets are supposed to seal your engine, but they will fail if any of the following symptoms appear:
- Temperature rise in the engine
- Coolant leaking while the car is parked
- Backfires occur as a result of a difference in the air-to-fuel ratio.
- Petrol color-changing engine
2. Gasket for the Timing Cover
When your car comes to a complete stop, this indicates that the timing cover gasket has worn. This is common in cars that have been in use for a long time, but the consequences do not stop there.
Other issues that your 4.2 liter Ford v6 may encounter include:
- Automatic light indicator
- A gas leak in the car’s body
- Make a knocking noise on the door.
- The engine is very loud.
3. Oil Pan Gasket Issue
The oil pan is the next item on the list of Ford 4.2 engine problems. The engine of each car is a gathering place for many different parts in automotive technologies.
Because these components only work when gasoline is pumped into them, seals are required to keep the engine gasoline in place.
Gasket for the Oil Pan
However, these oil pan gaskets will wear down over time, and keeping their original tightness after 20,000 – 50,000 miles is difficult. More petrol will leak out at this point, causing more serious problems.
- Keep an eye out for the following warning signs:
- Undercar oil leak
- The engine is emitting smoke.
- The engine is extremely hot.
- Quickly run out of oil
Fixing Problems
Depending on the type of car, a determined home mechanic can replace parts, but for the inexperienced, there are potentially serious pitfalls that may cause engine damage, so be cautious.
1. Fixing Gasket Problems
Here’s step by step method to change the gasket of ford 4.2 v6.
The gaskets are there to provide a resilient, flexible surface that can compensate for the imperfections of the mating parts as well as a small amount of relative movement. When the intake manifold gasket fails, coolant may leak and air may enter.
Step 1:
Jack up the vehicle. Set the brake and place wheel chocks under the rear wheels after making sure the car is in the park or first gear if it is a manual. Jack up the front of the vehicle and secure it with good jack stands. Working beneath a car is one of the most dangerous things a home mechanic can do.
Step 2:
Remove the coolant. Because most cars run coolant through the intake manifold, it must be drained before the manifold can be removed.
Step 3:
Determine the location of the hoses and wires. Intake manifolds are typically connected to a slew of hoses and wires at various points. Don’t just rip through there disconnecting them in the hopes of remembering where they go.
Step 4:
Take the fasteners out. Find and remove all of the fasteners that connect the intake to the engine.
If your engine is a V, they will most likely all be on top. In that case, consult your workshop manual for a recommended sequence for loosening the bolts.
Step 5.
Because the gaskets will most likely be sticky, gently pry the intake away from the cylinder head. If it puts up a fight, go back and make sure all the fasteners are removed. This is a tricky step because foreign objects can easily fall into the intake or the ports at this point.
Step 6:
Put on the sealant. Applying sealant is a personal preference; it is not always necessary. This is something that your workshop manual can assist you with. In some cases, it may be limited to the coolant or oil passages. If the gasket has rubber O rings, a gasket sealer will be ineffective.
Step 7:
Put the gasket in place. If you’re lucky, you’ll find some studs or dowel pins to hang the gasket from. If not, a few dabs of sealer can be used to adhere the gasket to the engine. When installing the manifold, make sure it doesn’t move.
Step 8:
Inject the coolant into the reservoir. Replace the drained coolant with a new coolant if it is more than two years old. Pour until the coolant runs out of the bleeder or the disconnected hose.
Step 9:
Turn up the heat in your car. Set the temperature control to high to allow coolant to circulate through the heater core of the vehicle.
Step 10:
Turn on the engine. Bring the car up to temperature.
This will only take a few moments. Continue to check the reservoir and top it off as the level drops. When the engine has fully warmed up, you should notice heat coming from the heating vents; if not, keep driving until you do.
2. Replacing Gasket for the Timing Cover
The severity of the oil leak would determine this. If the oil leak is severe, I would recommend resolving the problem as soon as possible to avoid engine damage. The labor charges are likely to be high because removing the timing cover necessitates the removal of numerous parts. The timing cover is typically found directly behind all belt-driven accessories. If the leak is not severe, the vehicle can be driven for an extended period without requiring repairs. Here’s video for step by step gasket change
3. Fixing Oil Pan Gasket Issue
Before working on the vehicle we will recommend you to watch this tutorial
- Before replacing engine parts, always consult the owner’s manual provided by the manufacturer. To begin, park your car in a safe location and remove the brackets and parts to gain access to the oil pan and bolts. To locate the parts and bolts in your vehicle, always consult the owner’s manual. This is a simple job; however, it can be messy.
- Purchase an oil gasket made of the same material as the one used inside your vehicle. Locate the oil pan bolts using the owner’s manual. They could be hidden behind other components. Remove the wheel-well-liner pieces to gain easy access to the outboard passenger’s side bolts.
- After you have removed all of the bolts, the pan will fall. If necessary, lightly tap it to break the seal.
- Using a solvent, thoroughly clean all sealing surfaces. You should also clean the oil pan and inspect it for cracks. If there are cracks inside the oil pan, you will need to replace it. After checking, replace the oil gasket.
- Replace all of the bolts and parts in the same order that they were removed, then refill the crankcase with oil and start the engine. If there are no puddings under the vehicle, the vehicle is not heating, and the oil level is adequate, you are fine.
Conclusion
The information above is about ford 4.2 v6 intake manifold problems. This is a moderate version compared to many other engines of this brand, but its issues can destroy the entire car if not detected and dealt with quickly.