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Just a follow up. My dealer could not get a transmission and is still waiting for the supplier. It seems there are none to be had and we must wait until one is manufactured.
This is the first transmission of a cougar he had to deal with, but two weeks after I brought my in he has his second. A 2000 with less than 2,000k.
Originally he thought he had ordered a transmission fro me, but once it arrived there seemed to be a part number mix up and it was actually a contour transmission.
Does anybody else have these tires. Did you think the ride was substantially harsher than the stock BFG's? Seems like it is, but thought it was maybe just me, since I haven't driven the car in a month.
What a relief!!
In a month I plan to have a set of Eibach springs installed at a local performance shop. I'll have them upgrade the pads to performance pads during the same visit. Normally I wouldn't bother, but since I plan to auto-cross this spring & summer, I think it is a wise decision.
For those of you thinking about upgrading to cross drilled / slotted rotors, you may want to think twice. Although they will improve the already great braking performance, they tend to wear out the pads quicker. The slots have a shaving effect (very slight) on the pads. Like most mods, there are positives and negatives. Better braking, but more maintenance.
the BFG is a awesome tire, compared to either of the other two stock options the BFG VR4's or the FireRocks....
You'll be very pleased.
BTW the KDW came standard on the Contour SVT...
I would take it to the service dept ASAP. Hopefully it is nothing they can't correct quickly.
Keep us informed.
Jan 12, 2000, Jan. 12 2000 1a.m,Jan 13,2000, Jan 14,2000, Jan 15,2000, Jan 17,2000, Jan 19,2000,
Jan 21, 2000, (still waiting on parts), Jan 22, 2000 (part came in), Jan 26, 2000 (car returned to me), Feb 15,2000, Nov 27, 2000, March 9, 2001 15K service) March 23, 2001 (stranded at 1a.m in dead car).
Did the required maintenance. Of course I would rather be freezing at 2 am. in a dead car, than a nice warm,comfortable bed
Francs
now that Ford owns Volvo, Volvo's quality will go downhill
Also, did you know all new Cougars come with a 3year/36,000 mile warranty that provides roadside assistance? There is no excuse for AAA not servicing you, but you did have Mercury's road side assistance. I would definately look into getting out of this car and either get your money back or get a new '01. Good luck with getting your car fixed.
I guess NECO's is a pre-2001 manual, and 2001s got the change.
Anybody else found this to be true? I hate to think I put a too low viscosity oil in. I guess if it screws up the engine I can show Ford the manual.
Lou
I've been using Jiffy Lube for years. Generally the wait is 15-60 minutes and I've not had any trouble, except at one about 10 years ago I happened to look in the garage and they had my stereo going full blast! I never went to that one again.
Lou
Here's what the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) database at the National Highway Transportation Safety Board's site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/servicemmy.cfm has regarding your question:
Service Bulletin Number: 99816
Bulletin Sequence Number: 642
Date of Bulletin: 9905
NHTSA Item Number: SB606420
Make: MERCURY
Model: COUGAR
Year: 1999
Component: ENGINE
Summary: FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT
I do my own changes using Castrol Syntech 5W-30. I was using Fram Sure-grip oil filters, but a study I read said that Fram is one of the worst filters on the market. They recommended the Mobil-1 filter. I'm going to further investigate this before I switch filters.
Sorry this is a bit off topic; anybody got answers? The Jiffy Lube that changed my 5W-20 oil had just gotten the Pennzoil I got. So perhaps other Ford vehicles and other makes are starting to use it?
Lou
But if I had to choose, I would say it's the tolerances of the Duratech engine. :^)
I'm not sure (since I never changed it) but I think my 98 Contour had the special antifreeze.
Lou
Here's some help for your post #375 automatic transmission problem. I'm sorry that this is such a long post, but I've included summaries of several Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) references that seem to be related to your problem. I'd suggest that you print out the list and take it to your dealership's Service Manager and ask them to review the specifics of each TSB. They have a much more detailed printout available on their Ford computer system. Ask to be shown a copy of each one that applies to your vehicle before they do any work. Good luck.
Service Bulletin Number: 5823
Bulletin Sequence Number: 523
Date of Bulletin: 9903
NHTSA Item Number: SB605229
Make: MERCURY
Model: COUGAR
Year: 1999
Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CD4E TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT A TRANSMISSION NO FORWARD ENGAGEMENT.
Service Bulletin Number: 12598
Bulletin Sequence Number: 532
Date of Bulletin: 9903
NHTSA Item Number: SB605321
Make: MERCURY
Model: COUGAR
Year: 1999
Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING TWO CD4E TRANSAXLES ADDED TO FORD QUALITY RENEWAL (FQR) PROGRAM
Service Bulletin Number: 12519
Bulletin Sequence Number: 609
Date of Bulletin: 9903
NHTSA Item Number: SB6091763
Make: MERCURY
Model: COUGAR
Year: 1999
Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CD4E TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT A NO FORWARD DRIVE CONCERN.
Service Bulletin Number: 4674
Bulletin Sequence Number: 151
Date of Bulletin: 9808
NHTSA Item Number: SB615213
Make: MERCURY
Model: COUGAR
Year: 1999
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:UNKNOWN TYPE
Summary: SOME VEHICLES WITH CD4E TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF NO CRANK / NO START IN PARK. VEHICLE WILL CRANK AND START IN NEUTRAL.
Service Bulletin Number: 4705
Bulletin Sequence Number: 152
Date of Bulletin: 9808
NHTSA Item Number: SB615244
Make: MERCURY
Model: COUGAR
Year: 1999
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CONCERN OF AN INTERMITTENT NO CRANK, NO START BY INADEQUATE MATING OF CONNECTOR C1936 OR AN UNDER-TORQUED STARTER SOLENOID WIRE AT C973A AND C973B.
Service Bulletin Number: 11791
Bulletin Sequence Number: 152
Date of Bulletin: 9808
NHTSA Item Number: SB615292
Make: MERCURY
Model: COUGAR
Year: 1999
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:UNKNOWN TYPE
Summary: SOME VEHICLES WITH CD4E TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF NO CRANK / NO START IN PARK. VEHICLE WILL CRANK AND START IN NEUTRAL.
A mechanic is able to flush/clean the injectors out, and the results will be very noticeable. If they are far gone, they may also suggest that they be replaced.
I would suggest that you find a reputable mechanic and not go to a local FMC/LM dealership. They tend to over charge. I only allow them to take care of warranty issues since these will not cost me a dime.
I've been using Shell gas from my local dealer for at least 25yrs in both carburetted and injected cars, and have yet to have a problem.
Even my Nissan Sentra SE-R didn't need to have the injectors cleaned after 9 years and 60Kmi.
Now, having said that, there could easily be a problem with the formulation of the refinery in your area (Tx) that we don't have here (Il.)
Who Knows? When I was in H.S. my buddies 49 Merc would stop exactly 3mi away after putting in Clark gas. We got real good at stripping down that backdraft carb in the street, cleaning it out, and getting back running in about 10-15 min. May have been the station's tanks, the gas was dirty to begin with, etc...
Skip G.
I have had this problem several times. The dealership cured this problem by lubricating it, but it started again last week and my warranty is up, so I plan to take off the door panel and lube it myself. If your car is still covered under the warranty, take it in for service.
Thanks guys/girls
Capaldi Racing is a member of the SCCA which will be hosting two races during this weekend. Friday will be the race qualifications, Saturday will be the first race and Monday will be the second race.
Our plan is to meet on Friday at a local restaurant and have dinner together. Saturday we will view the first race, Sunday we will relax and kick back with the Capaldi Racing Team, and on Monday we plan to attend the second race. Even if your not a race fan, this should be a GREAT weekend!
Currently Capaldi Racing has acquired 20 race & Pit passes for the CSG. At this point in time we only have 4 left. If you are interested in attending this event, please email me as soon as possible. You can check out all the details at:
CSG Lime Rock Park Event Info
Thank you,Rob AKA "Badulah"
CSG Public Relations & General Management
Capaldi Racing is a member of the SCCA which will be hosting two races during this weekend. Friday will be the race qualifications, Saturday will be the first race and Monday will be the second race.
Our plan is to meet on Friday at a local restaurant and have dinner together. Saturday we will view the first race, Sunday we will relax and kick back with the Capaldi Racing Team, and on Monday we plan to attend the second race. Even if your not a race fan, this should be a GREAT weekend!
Currently Capaldi Racing has acquired 20 race & Pit passes for the CSG. At this point in time we only have 4 left. If you are interested in attending this event, please email me as soon as possible. You can check out all the details at:
CSG Lime Rock Park Event Info
Thank you,Rob AKA "Badulah"
CSG Public Relations & General Management
Although I don't have BFG's on my Cat, my Brother's Girlfriend does and I have driven her car several times. The difference between the BFG's and the Firestones is very noticeable. For the money, I don't think you can go wrong with these tires. Good luck and let us know how you like them.
My cat came with them, and I've been pleased as far as performance has been concerned. If you went back to the old posts, the general consensus was that they were better by far than the Firerocks.
My only problems have been a sharp piece of scrap metal @60mph, and one extreme pothole that took out the wheel along with the tire. If it were'nt for those two episodes, I'd have been trouble free.
Skip G
P.S. It is my understanding that the 100K tune up is nothing more than a marketing tool to announce that the car has platinum tipped spark plugs. Nothing else is included in the so called "tune up".
The Stock plugs are Motorcraft platinums and they WERE FRIED!! I have only 45,000 miles on the car and they looked like they should have been replaced at 35,000 miles. I personally don't believe in the 1000,000 tune up. Platinum plugs wear out like all plugs.
On a side note, I really don't care about Ford's 1000,000 mile warranty. I don't ever plan to have them tune up my car anyway. Last time I took her to Ford I asked about the 40,000 mile check up and they rambled off a number of things they said they would do and then quoted me a price that was over $400.00!!! The items they listed were nothing that I couldn't do in my own driveway with my own tools and my own two hands.
Before the trip up to Lime Rock I plan to take her in to a local shop and have the belts, and timing checked. These are two things that I do not like to mess with.
jdbishop:
I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying your new tires. The Cougar's handling really shines when mated with a good set of tires.
- Change Intake filter (I have the KKM, so this is not necessary)
- Change cabin air filter
- Oil Change (I do my own changes every 3,500-5,000 miles using Castrol Syntech)
- Check all hoses (I do this every few months)
- Check belts
- Clean out MAF (I do this when ever I clean the KKM)
- Clean out throttle body (this can be done at home with a can of Gum-Out Throttle Body Cleaner)
- Check Spark Plug wires (I inspect them visually every few months)
- Check brake pads (have my mechanic do this when I rotate my tires)
- Rotate tires (I have them rotated by a local garage every 4-5 thousand miles)
- Check timing
- Flush coolant system (IMHO, this is not necessary at this point)
There were a few other things, but none of which were anything major. I took the list of stuff to a local garage and my mechanic laughed and said the dealership was trying to rip me off. What else is new?
1. Under hard acceleration conditions (most of my driving)thee seams to be a lull after engauging second gear, similar to when an automatic downshifts. Mine is a MTX. Almost like the engine is flooded momentarily when the gas is punched before taking off. Any ideas?
2. Just after starting and after engauging either reverse or first and slowly starting to roll away, I can feel and hear a strange rub through the brake pedal, just like one of the brakes was clamped and is realeased but all the others are not engauged. ABS or parking brake releasing?
BKJ