Ford›E-250›1997›Overview/ford/e-250/1997/base/

250 platform

1997 Ford E-250

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 E-250.

The 1997 Ford E-250 rides on the E‑250’s 250‑series chassis and is served by a powertrain that calls for 6.0 qt of 5W‑20 API‑spec engine oil. With a total of 18 owner‑reported complaints—most often concerning the vehicle’s structure—and two recalls on record, this model year falls between the line‑up’s lowest complaint year (1990, with 1 complaint) and its peak (1998, with 28 complaints), indicating a middling but still notable reliability footprint for the E‑250 lineage.

Model year2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 1997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 - AUXILARY · 625 - AUXILARY CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 - AUXILARY · 625 - AUXILARY CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	231.9 in
Overall width	79.5 in
Overall height	81.1 in
Wheelbase	138.2 in
Curb weight	5214 lb
Track (front / rear)	70.1 / 66.5 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	6-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	118 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-64 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15-22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 1.5 ft-lbs; Upper: 15-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17-20 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	109.0-149.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	240.0-290.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	153.0-207.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	57.0-76.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	825 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Front A/C only, 3.25; front and rear A/C, 4.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	68
Oil Capacity	Front A/C only, 9.00; front and rear A/C
Standard BCI Group Number	65 - AUXILARY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	625 - AUXILARY cca
Optional BCI Group Number	65

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-45
RPM	30-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-45
RPM	30-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	80-120 CNG
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2500 rpm

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	141-191 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-30 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Drum Nominal Diameter	12 in
Drum Maximum Machining	12.06 in
Drum Discard at-or-over	12.09
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15-18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90-120

15–18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 120

33 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	35-40 ft. lbs.	35–40 ft. lbs
2	56-60

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	all bolts	15 ft. lbs
2	all bolts	30 ft. lbs
3	all bolts	37 ft. lbs
1	loosen 2-3 turn
2	if long bolt	33 ft. lbs
3	180 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence	180 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., step 2: 6-8

4 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 115-125

37 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate) · Suspension System (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate) · Suspension System (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 mi	Battery (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Throttle Body Lever Stud (lubricate) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1997, the most frequently reported problem categories were Structure (10 complaints), Tires (7 complaints) and Electrical System (1 complaint), with no crash‑related or fire‑related complaints recorded. Comparing adjacent federal records, 1990 shows only 1 complaint and no recalls, while 1991 reports 11 complaints, 1 recall, 5 investigations and 5 TSBs, and 1998 escalates to 28 complaints, 4 recalls, 2 investigations and 30 TSBs. This indicates that the early‑1990s generation experienced a relatively low complaint baseline, with a noticeable increase in later model years. The 1997 model therefore sits at the low‑end of that upward trend, with fewer reported issues than the 1998 peak but slightly more than the 1990 baseline. Consequently, from a federal reporting standpoint the 1997 E‑250 appears to be a reasonably reliable used purchase, though prospective buyers should still verify the specific structure and tire conditions.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’98 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’16 ’17 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 18 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Structure10

Tires7

Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06V286000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 01/08/2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE…

09V399000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 13/10/2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY… Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 12 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
18382	2005-01-01	Power Train	FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VENT ON THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTED PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY. *TT
05248	2005-01-01	Suspension	VIBRATION/HARSHNESS ABOVE 45 MPH (72 KM/H) AFTER TIRE BALANCE. *TT
14963	2001-06-01	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	SOME CUT-AWAY VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1229…
13822	2001-03-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME VEHICLES WITH MODEL 80 REAR AXLES ONLY MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE ABOVE 35 MPH. *TT
8048	2000-03-01	Suspension	SOME VEHICLES WITH MODEL 80 REAR AXLES ONLY, MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE ABOVE 35 MPH. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific E-250. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt 250-platform vehicles

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 E-250 take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 E-250 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

1997 Ford E-250

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

Full specifications

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked