Cougar Support Group - Chats On...

aussy · November 2001

i have now owned my black 2002 xr cougar for a full week...that is one full week of commuting 60 miles/day, running misc errands etc. here are my observations:
1.not getting any rattles that have been mentioned
2. sound system is pretty awesome
3. haven't checked the tire pressure although i will do that this sat morning
4. still getting used to shifting smoothly
5. i am experiencing the "hesitation" while accelerating in third and fourth gear although it is a steady increase in speed.
6. love the power seats on the driver side....my car is soooo comfortable to drive.......
7. the external heated mirrors and overall defrost system is magnificent
8. solved the problem of blind spots with mirror adjustments....i have no blind spots
9. while in cruise control with the A/C on i noticed the car seemed to do the hesitation thing while set at around 65mph to 70 mph
10. don't know how smart this was but i was boxed in and forced into it, i ran the car up to around 90 mph and noticed a burning smell. it was brief and went away when i came back down under 80 mph< i know not very smart..i only have 400 miles on the car but i had no choice..i was in the fast lane and could get around or behind the car next to me>
11. put my first tank of gas in on thurs...my mpg was 21.1..that was mixed city and freeway driving. did most of the freeway driving on cruise control at around 65 to 70 mph
12. the car handles like a dream
13. can anyone explain the keyless entry button any better then the book. if i push the lock button once the doors lock and the lights flash. if i push it a second time the horn beeps. what does that mean??

those are my first weeks rantings...going to take the kitten for a cruise into the mountains all day tomorrow to get some diff speeds and loads on the engine while breaking it in so i get a better break in......rain is predicted so i expect that i will get a good work out on the handling and traction control...be a good time to see if the moon roof leaks too....
also...has anyone done the cold air intake mod on the 2002???....looking at it...it seems like there are several sensors on the air intake system...is this mod possible on the 2002's??
ok..i'm done..opinions are requested and comments welcome

lmigliore · November 2001

I've had my '99 cat since January '99. My observations differ from yours in spots.

1. rattles-none yet. The body on this thing is very stiff; could probably lose a few pounds and still be OK. That helps the handling too.

2. sound system-mine is awful. Not much power, not much range, speakers cut out all the time. I'm glad to hear that this has been fixed.

3. tire pressure-personal preference. High is better but rougher.

4. I still can't upshift smoothly because the revs don't drop. Downshifting is fine.

5. hesitation-I only feel this when the air conditioning is on.

6. comfort-I got the car because it fit me. It still does.

7. heated mirrors-where I live, I can't tell if they do anything.

8. blind spots- you solved the blind spots? Please tell me how. I can't see out of the thing to save myself.

9. cruise control with A/C-never done it, but I do experience bogging with the A/C on.

10. early speed-probably won't hurt anything. I've always revved mine till it won't rev no more.

11. mileage- that's about what I see.

12. handling- it's pretty good for a nose-heavy car. The brakes are astonishing.

13. keyless entry- I've never pushed the lock button twice.

abglascock · November 2001

I'm getting ready to buy a new 2002 Cougar. I've been researching this car for probably 6 months now, and I finally have enough money for a decent downpayment! When I've been in to talk to the dealers (I've been to 3 dealerships looking to see what they have on the lot), I seem to know more about the features of the car than they do. I don't feel that they could answer my questions as effectively as this group could!

Seats: What is the difference between the bucket seats of the V6 Base model and the sport bucket seats of the V6 Sport? Is power lumbar worth the extra price?

Are the extras offered in the Sport model (what was offered in the V6 Sport Group of the 2001 model) really worth it (in your opinion)?..the fog lamps, extra warning lights, etc?

Also, I read some posts in the town hall about the 1999 sunroof problems...they mentioned that they redesigned them a year or two later. Has anyone had any problems with the new design since then?

What do you think about ABS? I'm leaning towards it strongly, but still not sure.

Thanks so much for your opinions!

burnsmr4 · November 2001

First, I've never heard the horn beep on the second press of the keyless remote entry system button. Lmgliore -- does yours do that? I have a '99 model as well.

I do know that, if the trunk is open on the '99 model, the lights will not flash with the keyless remote entry system activation. Also, don't ever leave a passenger in the car after hitting the button. If they get out, they'll scare themselves poopless. My fiancée learned the hard way. ;-)

Secondly, anyone have any experience with a burning oil smell from the vents at idle after a period of regular driving? I don't get it while the car is at speed above 45mph. However, if the car has been running for 30+ minutes, I get a burning oil smell (I think) from the vents.

I have had the catalytic converter replaced under warranty for the ol' rotten egg smell recall. I think this is different though. My fiancée never smells any bad car smells, but this one finally got to her on a recent outing.

I have checked for leaks around the oil cap and under the car to no avail. It really almost smells like something is burning under the hood sometimes. Can never get the dealership service writers to smell it though.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
burnsmr4

ksuwildcat001 · November 2001

I personally think the sport seats are better than the regular seats. In my opinion they are much better bolstered(ie: hold you in the seat on hard fast turns better) and I also like the having the adjustable headrest.

I would get the power lumbar support if you intend to drive long distances in your Cougar. I have it on my 2001 and it really helps out on long drives. I've driven mine 1,000 miles with only short stops for gas and was comfortable the whole trip.

The extras in the sport group are each person's opinion, but I think the Cougar looks better with the fog lights, bigger wheels, and the fog lights. Not to metion the larger rubber enhances the handling. You do pay the price of a somewhat stiffer ride with the sport package though.

I would suggest the ABS. It would really help out if you live in an area that gets snow or ice during the winters and isn't the expensive.

I haven't had any problems with my sunroof and I use it atleast once a day.

I also haven't had any rattles.

Mercury appears to have fixed the throttle hang issue that I have heard about from 99 and 2000 owners because my 2001 pretty much instantly drops to a regular idle when I stop for a light. No hang at all before falling to idle.

I have the C2 package and love everything about it. The 6 disc indash changer is awesome and had GREAT sound at all volume levels. I never have speakers cutout of me.

My keyless entry will beep the horn anytime I press the lock button twice. It does that on my truck as well if I hit the button twice, so I'm assuming that is normal.

My mileage on my V6 has steadily increased and I now average 25 to 26 mpg. That is in mostly city driving, but I do take a weekly 100 mile round trip that helps push that average up to the 25 to 26 mpg that I am seeing.

I haven't had a chance to use the defroster or heated mirrors yet since I got my Cougar on July 5th, but A/C seemed to do pretty good this summer.

Good luck to everyone with their Cougars and best of luck to all those getting 2002 Cougars. You will love the Cougar once you get it!

David

2001 French Blue C2 V6

lmigliore · November 2001

I just tried my keyless lock and no matter how many times I hit the button, there's no horn.

The big big item you get with the sport option is 4-wheel discs; I think that was the only way you could get them with the '99's. Presumably, the 16" wheels are required for the 4-wheel disc setup, allowing more and better rubber too. I've never used the fog lights and got my car without a spoiler.

As far as I know, there are no spring rate changes with the sport option so it really shouldn't ride any stiffer than the standard suspension.

I get a burning oil smell after every oil change. It's apparently impossible to change the oil filter without having it drool its contents over the exhaust system; it takes a week to go away.

dasaint1 · November 2001

burnsmr4:

I had the same problem with the smell coming out of the vents. The problem occurred when I had the heater on, especially when I had it on defrost. I mentioned it to the dealer and the mechanic said the smell is probably from oil and is seeping through the vents. He then said he was gonna flush the system with deoderant. When I got the car back, there was still some smell, but not as bad as before.

I don't really know what he did. How do you put deoderant through the vents? But it did eliminate some of the odor, but not completely.

Hope that info helps.

harbachj · November 2001

My 99 also beeps if I press the remote lock and the doors are already locked.\

The sport package IS firmer due to the tires. The 215/50-16s are much stiffer than the stock 205/609-15s. The tradeoff is a poorer ride but better handling.

Those of you that are unhappy with the "throttle hang" on your V6 should try the "throttle hang mod" that was originally developed for the Contour. Basically consists of putting a restriction in the intake bypass hose. Works like a charm and cost less than a dollar and a few minutes time. I downloaded instructions last year from www.fastcougar.com.

dgemini · November 2001

Would you believe me if I told you that Motor Trend's 2002 buyer's guide says that their is still going to be an S option for the Cougar?

I think it is pathetic that the Cougar has garnered so little interest because of Ford's poor marketing of the car that a reputable mag like Motor Trend doesn't even bother putting up to date information in it's buyer's guide.

Anyway, I will be home from Korea in a month...I will get to drive my kitty for the first time in 7 months! I can't wait....

Later

lmigliore · November 2001

There is a Cougar S option. It's called a Jaguar X...

gambit293 · November 2001

Hi all,

I was trying to figure out the differences between the trimlines for the 2002 cougars. (Sport, Sport Premium, and Sport Ultimate)

As far as I can tell, they're all the same except that Sport Premium has a Sunroof (sport does not) and Sport Ultimate has side airbags(sport and premium do not).

Are those the only differences? Aren't those features a bit trivial to warrant trim names like PREMIUM and ULTIMATE?

dgemini · November 2001

How true, how true.......

burnsmr4 · November 2001

Thanks, dasaint1, for the info. I might have the dealership do that. Unfortunately, I may have found where the burnning oil smell was coming from for so long after an oil change. Believe it or not, but it may have come from a disintegrating oil cap!

I opened my hood the other day to check again for oil on the engine block from a messy dealership oil change, and I couldn't find any, except around the oil cap. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the oil cap was corroded around the edge on one side. I took it off and inspected it more closely.

The entire edge of the oil cap was corroded, and the plastic was brittle -- it broke into pieces when I ran my finger around the edge. I have no idea what caused it, but the dealership replaced the oil cap under warranty. The parts man said that the cap was not the first he had seen with corrosion.

The broken seal and edges on the cap probably allowed hot oil to seep out onto the engine while driving. There are oil spots on the underside of the hood which seem to indicate spraying under pressure. What would have caused this? Something at the dealership shop or a chance chemical reaction?

By the way, harbachj -- I have the sport group too, and I don't get a beep or honk on the second press of the keyless remote entry. Just flashing lights. Can you reconfirm?

harbachj · November 2001

Just to confirm burnsmr4, I have a 99 with the sport and convenience packages. If I press the keyless entry button to lock the car and it is already locked, the lights flash and horn beeps. It will not beep if the car is unlocked and I press lock, or if its locked and I press unlock. This is pretty standard for most keyless entry systems. I have seen service people at dealerships use this feature to locate a car in the lot.

Jim H.

burnsmr4 · November 2001

Huh. I don't have the package that included the 16" wheels on the '99, but I do have the convenience group. Still no beep on the second press. Lmigliore's doesn't beep either on the second one, according to an earlier post. All I have is the red panic button. Would be neat to have the keyless remote entry beep too. :-)

cnollkamper · November 2001

Fords keyless entry systems in all cars are designed to sound the horn if it is already locked or "armed". However the system is programmable by the dealer and can be changed to suit whatever you like. For the record my 2001 Fully loaded C2 does beep when the button is pressed twice.
Chris-

burnsmr4 · November 2001

...if the dealerships told buyers about these sorts of options. Whom do I ask? Service writer, parts department, sales manager? I'd like the horn honk. :-)

krnch · November 2001

I'm pretty sure that most 99 cougars (at least the earlier ones) do not beep. This is something that members of this group discovered at the Lake Placid CSG get together in 2000. My 99 cougar with sport and convenience groups does not beep. FMC added this awesome feature later.

blane · November 2001

Mine beeps when the lock button on the remote is pressed AFTER the doors have been locked (either by a first press of the remote button OR manually, before closing the door). Build date was June 1999.

burnsmr4 · November 2001

That's why yours beeps. Oh, well. I'll go without the beep. I think I can survive.

[Sniffle. Tear forms on cheek. Looks away shamefully.]

krnch · November 2001

My beepless Cougar was built October 1998.

gustafsc · November 2001

Took delivery 12/7/98, no beep.

Is that a warranty claim? ;-)

Happy holiday everybody, see you on Monday.

Skip G.

blane · November 2001

burnsmr4

Re your post #1371, mine is a MY'99. Please don't cry though.

lmigliore · November 2001

This incessant beeping has got to stop...

camelard · November 2001

Hope all are well and happy, and have a great holiday.

dgemini · November 2001

Just read the review of Edmund's 2001-2002 Sport Coupe Comparison Test. When I clicked on last place I knew the Cougar would be last (even though I secretly hoped it would be higher)

One of the worst things about the article is that I have been looking for a review on the Cougar to see how it compared to the latest comptetion.

It was really sad to see the same things we have been saying for the last couple of years:

"The nice thing to say here is that the Cougar is a good car but that the other five cars are simply better. And while that's true, a higher finish would have almost certainly come about if Mercury had decided to offer the Cougar S for 2001."

Sad but true.

I still love my Cougar...and I plan on owning the car for quite a few years after it is paid off (please baby...stay together for daddy!) but it would be so nice to own a car that is considered to be among the best in it's class...instead of being considered among the worst.

At least they did say that the Cougar IS a good car, AND it does look good.

Anyway...enough venting for now...

24 more days and I will be driving my Cougar for the first time in over 6 months! Yaaayy. Even better, I will be with my wife! Yaaayy

fish8 · November 2001

I just wanted to drop in and say Hi! I have not posted in awhile and wanted to let everyone know I am still alive. Later!

burnsmr4 · November 2001

...is your Cougar still alive?

If so, don't let it read the Edmunds.com homepage story on sport coupes.

I agree with the above -- no more beeping. I can live without the beep. Honestly. I can.

[Runs out of room holding back tears. Schedules appointment with beeping therapist.]

By the way -- hope EVERYONE had a GREAT and SAFE Thanksgiving. Raise your hands if you flew over the holidays. Those with your hands up get a cookie for having (a) cahonies and/or (b) a helluva lot of courage. :-)

Later,
burnsmr4

badulah · November 2001

Hey All:
I'm glad to see everyone is still around and doing well. I'm sorry that I have not been around lately, but I plan to change that.

I have been in contact with Lefty on a regular basis. We are planning to get together sometime after Christmas and we will discuss the 2002 CSG calender. We are still doing work for Capaldi Racing and we plan to have several gatherings at various races in order to support him and his team. Hopefully we can hold this group together for a few more years.

-Rob

dgemini · November 2001

How are you? How's the job hunting going?

advocatus · November 2001

Hello Everyone... it has been a long time since I've posted... I hope everyone is well. My Cougar and I just turned 15k... it's only been six months.. and I'm worried.. too much driving! Nonetheless, my little baby has gotten me where I needed in record time, and the V6 has gotten me out of sticky situations (Pa Turnpike). My question is.. I need the 15,000 mile maintance and I've called a couple dealers to get their price for that maintance.. and these are the totals.. 395.00, 204.00, 90.00, and 80.00 ... they all promise the same service. I don't need to get my cabin air filter chained, it's only been six months. the guy who quoted me 395.00 I asked what he did, and he said alignment and tuning... etc etc..

What do you guys think? How much did you guys pay? Thanks for the help!
David (Philadelphia)

gustafsc · November 2001

David:

Just about all of the items listed in the scheduled maint can be done by yourself.

All of the fluid levels can be seen by looking into the clear or translucent resivours (spell?), you can change any of the filters that you need to, rotate your own tires (or have it done cheap at your local gas station), free brake inspection at the local brake shop (Midas, Carex, etc) and they usually do a complete underbody check at the same time, free.

You shouldn't need a tune-up or any work like that.

The only reason for going to the dealer would be the computer records of scheduled service, and even that's not required for the warranty.

C.G.

burnsmr4 · November 2001

Thanks, Gustafsc -- good stuff. Did you ever find out what your 30K mile service cost at the dealership? I've changed my air filter, cabin air filter, and gotten an oil change.

I haven't changed the PCV valve (how do I do that?) or the fuel filter (where, other than dealership, for this?). Nor have I had the brakes inspected. If I get those three done, I've basically done the 30K service, right? If you have suggestions for those last items, share 'em.

Thanks,
burnsmr4

gustafsc · November 2001

Sorry to say, I've not cracked the Owner's Manual since I got the car.

But, having said that, most libraries have service manuals somewhere in the 600 section of the non-fiction collection. The Cougar is based on the Contour/Mistique, so the manual (Chiltons or other) shouldn't be hard to find.

If you're not having any problem with engine operation, chances are that the fuel filter and PCV valve are OK. You can check the PCV valve by pulling it out and shaking it. If you can hear the slide moving (rattle), it's usually OK. Put it back in.

Fuel filters usualy don't go bad unless you've gotten some bad gas at a low volume dealer where the tanks may acquire some crud over time. Water is usually more of a problem than dirt though. My last car had over 60K mi and never needed anything changed (Nissan Sentra Se-R sport coupe).

Injector cleaner in the tank won't hurt, but gasoline does have a detergent already mixed in, and as long as the car is driven regularly, gum buildup shouldn't be a problem either. But, your option if it makes you feel better.

In some cases, benign neglect is OK. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Skip G.

coolchick · November 2001

Arrrghhhhhh!

A little old lady bumped/rubbed/scraped my passenger side rear wheel well in the parking lot yesterday while I was in the store buying groceries. She did wait around for me to come out to take responsibility, and it's minor cosmetic stuff, but still.....aaaaarrrrrrrggggghhhhh!

It irks me especially because I had picked a spot at the end of the row where there wasn't a place next to me for someone to park, but she was squeezing through and managed to ding me anyway.

Her insurance folks have set up an inspection/estimate appointment for Monday afternoon, and my dealer is one of their preferred shops, so that will keep things a bit easier to deal with. And they're paying for a rental while my darling Adelaide is being touched up. Let's hope I don't get a purple Kia =8^o

gustafsc · November 2001

And I suppose that the moral to your story is, "Don't buy groceries".

A purple Kia would be almost as bad as the white Sunfire coupe I was stuck with for a month while my cat was getting it's butt rebuilt.

Skip G.

lmigliore · November 2001

Warning: no Cougar-related content in this message

You can't park to avoid dents. A long time ago, in a universe far away, a friend of mine bought a new Plymouth. To keep its flanks unscathed, he parked it way in the back of the parking lot where he worked. No cars around for 50 yards.

A co-worker, apparently carrying less brains than God gave to mackerel, decided that since Bill parked there, it was a good place, attempted to park next to him and whacked his new car. Got fixed and all, but still galling.

Of course, when Bill got his next new car, he bagged a 6-point buck with it coming home from the dealer...

burnsmr4 · November 2001

Bill and I must be related somewhere down the line. Only I have had as much bad luck with cars as he has. And I've nearly hit a deer too. Yikes.

gustafsc · November 2001

At least you can eat the deer and put it's head on the wall as a trophy.

Can't do that with little old ladies :-(

(At least in the U.S.)

Skip G

coolchick · November 2001

A friend of mine years ago bought a white Corvette (used, but still a hot car). He had driven it all of six miles when he was rear-ended.

His dad ran a body shop, so getting the car fixed wasn't a problem. However, the alternator decided to die while the car was in the shop and that wasn't part of his dad's abilities to fix. So Dad towed the Corvette home, unhooked it in the driveway, got back in the tow truck and
........................................................................................................
backed right into the Corvette.

cnollkamper · December 2001

I just read that FOMOCO is going to sell our Cougar until 2003/4 when it is replaced by the all new platform shared with the next gen Mustang, apparently it will be released 6months after the 'stang to have sufficient time for a media blitz for both cars. What do y'all think? I don't think the current powertrains will carry over, because the next Mustang is supposed to have (I believe) at least the Duratec V6 3.0 and of course the 4.6L Romeo V8....Maybe Ford is planning on a renaissance for all of its great cars? Well see.

coolchick · December 2001

I went to have a claims adjuster take a look at my kitty today. The scrape/rub turned out to be virtually entirely from the other car. He wiped it down well with some detailing spray and everything disappeared except for one teensy-eensy spot by the seam line between the rear side panel and the bumper. And that spot didn't get through the undercoat. I truly do not believe it's worth risking the problems of repainting the whole panel, so I'll touch it up and keep her waxed.

So he's sending a check for $200 because that's the estimate to have the whole panel repainted, plus a voucher for 2 days of rental car to use at my discretion. I'm going to use about half that money to get the dimple-ding on the passenger door (from eons ago) taken out using that paintless system. And the rest of the money.....well, I've got my eye on a bracelet.....

badulah · December 2001

Coolchick:
I'm sorry to hear about your scrape. It stinks when people are careless and damage other people's property.

cnollkamper
I to have heard that the Cougar will last another production year, but I have not heard about any future plans for the name. Where did you read this? Please let me know.

advocatus:
Once again I agree with Skip. Don't pay one red cent to the dealership for this sort of a tune up. With the exception of a recall and a computer problem, I never take my car to the dealership. And now that the warranty is up, the Cougar will never see the inside of a dealership again (with the exception of the dealership that a friend of the family works for). I did my own 50,000 mile full tune up about three months ago. Like Skip said, take it to a local tire shop and have them balance the tires, rotate them, and check the brakes. Usually this can all be done for around $30.00. At this point in time you should not need a wheel alignment, so you need not bother with that. You can check all of your fluids, replace your cabin air filter, and air intake filter in your own driveway with only a few tools. If you need directions on doing any of this, please email me and I would be happy to send you detailed instructions.

The dealership wanted over $500.00 to do the 50,000 mile tune up and that did not include the plugs or wires (I know they are good for 100,000 miles, but I personally don't believe in the 100,000 mile plug). I did all the following myself:
- Changed plugs
- Replaced plug wires
- Cleaned out re usable KKM intake filter
- Replaced the cabin air intake filter
- Checked all fluids
- Oil Change (Using a Fram extended life filter and Castrol Syntech Oil)
- Cleaned battery terminals
- Replaced all 3 wiper blades
- Cleaned out throttle body and MAF sensor
- Added one bottle of fuel injector cleaner to a full tank of 93 octane fuel
- Inspected all belts

I had a local garage do the following:
- Wheel rotation & Balance
- Brake Inspection
- Replace brake pads (Upgraded to Performance Friction pads)
- Wheel alignment

In the spring I plan to take it to my personal mechanic to have a full diognostic done to the engine & computer. Better to be safe than sorry. By then it will have over 60,000 miles on it.

krnch · December 2001

Badulah:

Nice to see you dropping in again. How have you been?

Regarding your last post, when you upgraded your brake pads did it disable the brake pad wear idiot light? Also, if you have instructions on how to clean the throttle body and MAF sensor, I'd be interested in reading them. Are you and Stageleft still maintaining the Cougarsupportgroup website. I haven't checked it in a while.

Cheers,

Andy.

gustafsc · December 2001

These should not normally be a scheduled replacement item.

The modern materials used as inslulation do not break down in a short period of time unless really stressed by excessive heat or chemical attack.

Wire replacement as a tune-up item is another holdover from the past when the insulation was mostly rubber which was easily affected by age and weathering.

Unless you experience engine roughness or bucking caused by crossfiring, leave 'em alone. (A little cleaning with WD-40 or other silicone material won't hurt as more moisture proofing)

Another fallacy, going to larger guage wires. The actual current flow in the plug wires is pretty low. It's high voltage that creates the spark across the plug gap, not current flow. The normal wires supplied are sufficient. As a matter of fact, the modern plug wire is actually resistive for improvement of the spark transient pulse and reduction of RF interference. (Please, don't make me do the math and graphs to illustrate)

Exiting Wise Old Guy mode!!!!! ;-)

Skip G.

cnollkamper · December 2001

Hello to anyone wondering where I got my info on the future Cougar plans check Motor Trend magazine, last issue they said the current model is dead next year and this current issue it adds the rest about the "Dew-Lite" platform for the Mustang and the Cougar. I hope its all true , and I especially hope that the next Cougar is as much a stunner in the visual department as it is now, and I also hope its still heavily European influenced, so it doesnt seem like a rebadged Mustang.

gustafsc · December 2001

Well, it's been 3 years since my cat and I met and it followed me home. At the moment, everything is OK, but you know what is said about warranty periods. Warranty ends, product dies :-(

Hope that that doesn't happen to us.

Really can't believe that we've been here in the CSG for 3.5 years. It's been fun (except for the long wait for my order to be filled). Hope we keep it up for a few more years and see what the possible new Cougar looks like. I've heard that it'll be based n the new Mustang platform.

My question is, "Is the new platform going to be a sophisticated 2W or 4D system incorporating a modern engine, or a re-vamped dinosaur like the current line?"

Skip G.

cnollkamper · December 2001

I am not sure what you mean by "2W and 4D" but the new platform dubbed "Dew-Lite" is an all new platform based on the Lincoln LS made shorter and lighter. It should do wonders for the Mustang/Cougar.

burnsmr4 · December 2001

Gustafsc and I are approaching that dreaded mileage and/or date -- the expiration of the warranty! I've got 2 months and/or 4000 miles left on my car. I'm betting the 2 months will go by first.

Today, I took the car into the dealership to find out where that climate control smell was coming from. The burning smell I've spoken about previously? Can we say...

...melted plastic bag?

That's right -- a plastic bag got caught on the catalytic converter and melted. Add to this a slightly loose oil filter (tightened it almost a half turn), and burning smells were to be expected from underneath the car.

The mechanic wiped up the dripping oil (should I check it again at home to see if it's leaking?) and scraped off most of the plastic bag. The rest will just have to burn off.

Even trash is out to get me in this car.

Later,
burnsmr4

fish8 · December 2001

I hope everyone is doing fine!!!

I plan to take my car to the dealer to get a couple of items fixed before the warranty runs out. First, my climate control fan is making a chirp noise again (fixed when car had 5K miles on it). Also, my hatch is sticking again. I have already had my car into the dealer to have them fix my hatch "issues" no lerss than 6 times. I hope it gets fixed once and for all.

Other than that, all is fine.

I am still trying to find a job (got laid off back in Oct). I have a feeling I will have better luck after the new year. I hope!!

Later

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