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cougs

All-Star Author
Ontario

Posts:686
Points:246,160
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: Aug 1, 2005 12:52:09 AM

I have a 99 cougar which has been a great car with 2 exceptions.

Firstly I seem to blow oxigen senors almost as often as I put gas in (well almost) I think I have put in somewhere around 8 new ones so far. My friends owns a car with the same motor and has not done one.

Also the cougar is a damn cold car in the winter I cannot seem to get it to heat up

Does anyone else have these problems or is it just mine?
REPLIES (newest first)
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TJC47
Champion Author Indianapolis

Posts:6,429
Points:1,169,035
Joined:May 2008
Message Posted: Jun 19, 2009 8:53:56 AM

Hated when they downsized them in 1998? T-Bird's were great and like
their cousin met the same fate! Ladyas: 68 Cool car! Still have it? Where's the oil leaking from?



[Edited by: TJC47 at 6/19/2009 8:57:06 AM EST]
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ladyas
Sophomore Author Lincoln

Posts:142
Points:33,415
Joined:Mar 2004
Message Posted: Sep 22, 2008 11:48:54 PM

My husband has a 68 cougar and the main problem that we have with it is that he waits till it starts to click because it is out of oil. I am surprised that it still runs.
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CobraMA
Rookie Author Massachusetts

Posts:3
Points:1,560
Joined:Jun 2008
Message Posted: Jun 3, 2008 7:29:34 PM

89 Cougar LS here with 150,000. Over the past 8 yrs. put alot in it. Did the heads and gaskets (kcores if your going to keep it do the gaskets before they blow, water get's down in the crank and pit's the bearings)..There's to much to mention, but I like the car, it's loaded. Got the gas to 14-15 around town, highway 65mph at 22-25 depending on terrain. Anybody need suspension parts go to ebay, you can get both sides complete front suspension kit, upper-lower swaybar links +,for cheep money. I made the mistake and bought part for part still cheap $20 for two lower ball joints, ACcars is the place. Got an american made 75 amp alternator factory sealed brand new for $71 & change shipping included, ebay at auto warehouse. Hope I helped someone.
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dell466
Champion Author London

Posts:1,597
Points:221,685
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: May 2, 2008 12:12:21 PM

had a 1987 cougar - fully loaded - digital dash, combination lock buttons on door, power everything -

Most likely my favourite car of all times.
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kcoers
Champion Author Illinois

Posts:11,342
Points:2,150,565
Joined:Apr 2006
Message Posted: Oct 14, 2007 1:27:01 PM

Sorry to hear about all the problems your having with the "new" cougars. I'm stil driving a '94. 230,000 miles but i think the head gasket blew, so its going to go soon
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ANT01
Champion Author Fresno

Posts:4,229
Points:867,650
Joined:Apr 2007
Message Posted: Apr 22, 2007 1:57:53 PM

I HAD A 2000 COUGAR HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS COULD NOT FIX AT DEALER WARRANTY DID NOT COVER WIRING
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azoner
Rookie Author Illinois

Posts:28
Points:720
Joined:Mar 2007
Message Posted: Mar 30, 2007 11:27:29 AM

I have a 93 Cougar the only problem I am having is the Ball Joints on the driver side are going out like your O2 Sensors, I have replaced the lower Ball joint 4 times and the upper 2 times, while the passenger side is on its second lower joint and the original upper, but I love the car, and can notseem to part ways with it.
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shadow963
Rookie Author Los Angeles

Posts:8
Points:4,735
Joined:May 2006
Message Posted: May 2, 2006 12:12:59 PM

I HAVE A 1989 COUGAR. LOVE THE CAR. IT ISN'T VERY STYLISH BUT I WILL MAKE IT STYLISH. IT SUCKS UP GAS LIKE IT'S WATER. 13 MILES PER GALLON HOW BAD CAN YOU GET. THE REASON WHY I LOVE THIS CAR IS BECAUSE EVERYTHING ON IT WORKS AND IT IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
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areohelle
Rookie Author Ontario

Posts:48
Points:33,795
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: Sep 16, 2005 2:42:43 PM

I had a 99 Cougar V6 as well....never had a problem with it...my only problem was that I only had a 2 yr lease on it....been kicking my own butt for the past 5 yrs. I loved that car...Fords best kept secret...it was good on gas...good mileage...fast (I had a 5spd)...great handling...I had people stop me every other day and ask me what it was!!!! I only had it 2 yrs so I guess the problems hadn't started yet...never had to do anything but change the oil...and I made the deal with free oil changes...so all I paid for was gas !!!! Still think they are a great looking car !
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#12#_76Lincoln
Rookie Author Detroit

Posts:20
Points:400
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: Sep 4, 2005 9:00:48 PM

You guys can't complain about the gas mileage in those smaller Cougars now you know. I own a 2002 model which is excellent!
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cougs
All-Star Author Ontario

Posts:686
Points:246,160
Joined:Mar 2005
Message Posted: Aug 13, 2005 6:59:44 AM

Thanks for the info

I think the thermostat is correct as the engine runs at the correct temperature. I will however check the valve to the heater core. I do get some heat just not enough to make the car comfortable. Thanks again

Sorry cessnapilot that you are having an oxgen sensor problems. but I do know the feeling. As I stated earlier my friend's car has not had to change one sensor and it is the same motor. Go figure

Thanks again
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dieselbill
All-Star Author Tampa

Posts:872
Points:11,745
Joined:Aug 2005
Message Posted: Aug 10, 2005 8:01:01 AM

check your thermostat. it may be stuck open. a previous owner,if there was one or more, may have put in a lower temperature thermastat than the factory spec. check the water valve that controls water flow to the heater core. is hot water flowing past the valve and into the heatercore. the heatercore pipes may be clogged up with sludge. the acidic sludge will eventually eat thru the pipes and leak onto the passenger floorboard. the heater should be turned on full heat setting for about 5 minutes weekly, even in summer with windows down, you in or out of car. when changing coolant, always use distilled water. minerals in tap water will clog things up. then there's the air ducts in the dashboard. there are flaps to direct the airflow. one or more may be stuck fully or partially open or closed. the flaps are controlled by vacum and/or cables. a vacum hose may be loose. a vacum actuator may not be working. a cable may have slipped off or broken off from a flap or the control.
i have no clue about oxygen sensors.
for not getting cold in st louis summer, is there lots of air coming out the dashboard vents. are you setting the control on norm air or max air. max air is the coldest setting. is the roof a dark color absorbing heat?? pull into a shady parking garage and see if problem continues. make sure there is airflow thru condenser in front of radiator. fans are working. now find the two pipes going to the evaporator on the firewall, passenger side. with a/c running feel each pipe with hand. are they both equal temperature. are they wet with moisture. if yes read about ducts above. if not equal temperature its time to go see a specialty air condition shop to check presures with gauges and check for refigerant leaks. good luck.
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cessnapilot06
Rookie Author St. Louis

Posts:44
Points:26,320
Joined:Apr 2005
Message Posted: Aug 9, 2005 11:42:36 PM

I also have a 99 Cougar and I have the same exact problem with the oxygen sensors. I bought the car a year ago,and it looks like I have to put a second sensor in the car. I dont have a problem with getting it warm, although I live in Saint Louis, so it does not get very cold down here. I have a problem with getting it cold in the summer though.
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