Hello!

Rsvperky

Rsvperky

New user
Oct 21, 2011
8
0
Nottingham
Hi All!

I bought a 1998 2.5 just over a week ago..

My first impression was. "Christ.. I bought a boat!" Now, just to explain. My previous car was an MX5 and the Cougar felt Mahooosive in comparison. Which it is to be fair. But, now I've got accustomed to it. I love it!
I'm assuming from what I've read on here so far, that it's an X pack? Full leather and all electric heated front seats/Cd multi changer and so on.
Got it for reasonable money with 15 moths mot, (it had 4months left and the dealer has committed to a further 12 when thats up).

I will be subscribing in the next couple of days, but till then Can you knowledgeable sorts give me some pointers on a couple of issues please?

Trawling through some posts already, I think some of them are relevant to my problems anyway, but maybe not.

The car seems very weak at low revs. To the point that I seem to have to slip the clutch a lot to pull away smoothly. since this seems to be a lack of grunt low down. The lim perhaps? Much of a job to fix?

It is also apparent that the car "pulses" while cruising along at low revs. Coincidently, at the same sort of frequency as the lcd readout background lights also "pulse". I read that the egr may cause this effect. Is this correct? or maybe somthing more severe? It also stutters when hard on the gas. It's ok if I'm gentle with the peddle but I would have thought a v6 2.5 would have taken this in it's stride.

The only other thing that concerns me is this.. When I've been driving and get out of the car. There is a strong smell of what smells like coolant coming from the front of the car.
There doesn't appear to be any leaks/steam under the bonnet and the temp reads ok (mid way up the gauge) although it does seem to be overly hot compared to any other car I've owned. Is this normal perhaps?

Any ideas/help/advice greatly appreciated gents. I will be around and will hopefully get a great deal of pleasure from the car and the site.

All the best

Perky
 
Hi mate

has she had a recent service and when were the plugs last changed? If not recently give her a service and then reset the ECU (battery off for 10 mins)


My V6 always smells hot but its not really a coolant smell - is there pressure in the expansion tank at all and is the water level dropping in the expansion tank.
 
Hi Perky, welcome to the forum. To start with the lack of power, your first port of call would be a good service, including plugs, leads, and fuel filter. I believe the pulsing on the instruments is to do with the alternator, but it's an easy fix. The V6 always runs warm/hot, so always has a warm smell when it's been on a run, just keep an eye on the water level to make sure it's not losing any. (y)
 
Cheers mate,
I have to say you've got me there.
Whilst there was loads of history with the car, there is nothing from less then 2 years ago. Just to be on the safe side, I had planned a service in the next couple of weeks.
I have to say that with the pretty excellent condition of the car on the whole. I'm sure it has been looked after, but like I say. just to be on the safe side.
about what does a full service run out at at a service centre? Or is self service an option?
 
Rsvperky said:
Cheers mate,
I have to say you've got me there.
Whilst there was loads of history with the car, there is nothing from less then 2 years ago. Just to be on the safe side, I had planned a service in the next couple of weeks.
I have to say that with the pretty excellent condition of the car on the whole. I'm sure it has been looked after, but like I say. just to be on the safe side.
about what does a full service run out at at a service centre? Or is self service an option?
Click to expand...

Self service is straight forward mate, get yourself a MKII Mondeo Haynes manual, that'll help with all the engine bits, anything else, that's what we're here for. ;)
 
Hi and welcome Perky, do you have a brother ??
Lack of torque is a major concern with the V6 engine, they will normally pull away from tickover without any throttle
Service is certainly the first job to do, it is relatively easy to carry out if you are handy with spanners
Filters are relatively easy to get at, fuel filter is under the car just ahead of the offside rear wheel
Make sure Ford oil and plugs are used, they don`t like anything else
Once this is done see how she goes and let us know how it feels

AND WHERE ARE THE PICS OF YOUR CAT ?
 
Rsvperky said:
Cheers mate,
I have to say you've got me there.
Whilst there was loads of history with the car, there is nothing from less then 2 years ago. Just to be on the safe side, I had planned a service in the next couple of weeks.
I have to say that with the pretty excellent condition of the car on the whole. I'm sure it has been looked after, but like I say. just to be on the safe side.
about what does a full service run out at at a service centre? Or is self service an option?[/QUOTE]

last service i paid for was beginning of the year cost me just under £300 cause of labour and they screwed it up, wrong oil and cause one spark plug was helicoiled they just left it in, result = new engine :( have recently serviced mine again, (gets done every 6 months) with the help of a few discerning members cost was about £70 and a weekend of drunked debourchery :LOL: oh and bacon butties nom nom nom
Click to expand...
 
Service is so easy even a disatser area like me can do it (without too much used oil runningup my arm). Paynes parts shop on ebay sells service kits and the proper oil. Plugs could well be your problem though especially if they are not proper ford ones. Dont forget you will need 5.5lt of oil
 
Hello and welcome aboard, I can't really add anything more, as the guys above have pretty much covered everything. The pulsing of the dash lights - well, I have recently had a brand new alternator fitted to my coug and it still pulses, although the engine doesn't pulse like yours. The V6 really prefers Ford Motorcraft plugs, although others on here do use other plugs, but I think the majority would tell you to stick with Motorcraft. As said above also, the right oil is essential too.


You'll be pleased to know that when I was a kid, I used to have your single..you know the old 45rpm.....PMSL!!!!!

pinkyandperky.JPG
 
Ok.
Am now a paid up member! :)

Got loads of brothers actually. But I think you were refering to Pinky? That would be my sister. :p

Going to service the car this weekend, weather permitting, so I'll let you know if it sorts my issues.

Thanks for all the replies. A bit confusing re oils/plugs etc. eg "make sure to use ford parts" Then elsewhere, other brands are mentioned(Mostly oil).

Anyway. If this works, Here she is.
car.jpg

Taken on my phone when i picked her up.
will sort better pics when i get chance.
 
Perky, where in Nottingham are you? If you need a hand let me know. I'm also breaking my silver car, so plenty of spares if you need them.
 
Rsvperky said:
A bit confusing re oils/plugs etc. eg "make sure to use ford parts" Then elsewhere, other brands are mentioned(Mostly oil).
Click to expand...
As long as the oil meets Ford specification (should be printed on the bottle somewhere) and it's 5W-30 grade (semi or fully synthetic) you should be ok.
I personally go for the genuine stuff ('Formula F' which is fully synthetic) from a Ford dealer. It's not expensive but you can find it cheaper on ebay (usually from Paynes).
The V6 takes 5.5 litres including the filter. A Ford/Motorcraft filter is about a fiver too.

As for plugs, genuine Ford/Motorcraft are the most reliable. Some members have used other brands successfully and some have not. For those that have had problems the cure is usually a set of Motorcrafts.
So to save the risk of having to buy twice, get yourself a set of Motorcrafts.
Remember there's six of these so buying twice can be an expensive lesson.
They only need changing every 60K or 5 years so well worth investing in the genuine article.
 
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