Just bought a 2.5l V6 Automatic, what to do to service it?

L

lukiet

Hi i am a newby cougar owner justt got a 1999 74500 mile V6 Auto. I have a couple of issues that i am sure you guys will be able to answer with your vast knowledge.
1) Car pulls to the left when driving - take your hands off the wheel and you are gonna end up in the kerb.
2) not so much a problem but it came with a part service history upto 62000 miles so i would like to give it the once over myself. What sould i be doing and where is the sump plug & coolant drain?
3) Should i fit a replacement Pannel filter i.e K&N or should i fit an induction kit.
4) The tyres as you will be aware are an odd size is it better to just fit different profiles or can you get the official ones.

Any other advice would be great.

Thanks Luke
 
Hi Luke,
Firstly welcome to UK Cougar.

1. Sounds like your tracking is way out, get it to a garage and have your tracking re-alligned, shouldn't cost more than £20-30.

2. Make sure all the fluids are kept topped up, especially the engine oil. The V6 is very finiky when it comes to this, make sure it's always got enough oil or you may find your big end going which can kill your Cat (it did mine). You could always buy a service kit and change all the filters for peace of mind.
If you stand facing your engine, but stand in front of the battery and look underneath the throttle body at a 45 degree down angle you should see what looks like a flimsy metal bar. Pull the throttle cable and rev your engine quite high, once your engine reaches over 3000RPM this should move sideways. If not then your secondaries arn't working and you will need to have your IMRC fixed.

3. That is personal preference, it wouldn't hurt to fit a new panel filter, Induction Kits are nice looking under your bonnet and do add a very nice induction noise however some may argue that they suffer from heat soak and thus reduce your power output.

4. You will be lucky to find the original size tyres for the Coug. It won't hurt to fit different profiles or even different size rims too, a lot of members here are running aftermarket rims running from the standard to 19".

If you have anymore questions im sure some of the more experienced amongst us will be here later.

Liam
 
Regarding the tyres, the most cost effective solution is to fit 225/50/16s, these are far more readily available (and cheaper!) than the standard fit 215/50/16s, they fit just fine and will maintain virtually the same rolling radius so the speedo and odometer readings will be unaffected. Beyond this, your options are fitting 17" wheels with 215 or 225/45/17 tyres, 18" wheels with 225/40/18 tyres or even 19" wheels with 225 or 235/35/19 tyres. Obviously though, as you go up in wheel diameter and subsequently down in tyre profile, you will pushing the ride comfort ratio further towards handling and further away from a comfy bum.
 
Thanks for all the information its much appreciated
if anyone else has any pointers regarding anything then please feel free to let me know
 
Hi i am a newby cougar owner justt got a 1999 74500 mile V6 Auto. I have a couple of issues that i am sure you guys will be able to answer with your vast knowledge.
1) Car pulls to the left when driving - take your hands off the wheel and you are gonna end up in the kerb. - tracking, wishbones or possibly a sticking caliper. Check for odd tyre wear
2) not so much a problem but it came with a part service history upto 62000 miles so i would like to give it the once over myself. What sh+ould i be doing and where is the sump plug & coolant drain? - change gearbox oil as previously stated, change all the filters (Air, oil, pollen, fuel), change engine oil (must be ford spec - Paynes do a service kit cheap on ebay)
4) The tyres as you will be aware are an odd size is it better to just fit different profiles or can you get the official ones. - i am running 225 40 18's on aftermarket alloys and am really happy, but it depends on budget

Dont forget different alloys and panel filters / induction kits are mods and should be declared to your insurance

 
Just taken the car to check the tracking it was way out, the NSF tyre was ripped to shreds on the inside (glad i took it in) got 2 new fronts 215/55/16 the guy couldn't belive how tidy it was underneath. Just taken it for a good test drive WHAT A MACHINE that V6 roar and surge is V.Pleasing. Going for an MOT next week so will get the garage to give it the once over and change the vital fluids.
Again thanks for the advice
 
Oh Yeah does anybody know how to operate the damn cruise control properly, i got it working but not sure how and every time i tried setting it the car shot up to 50 mph!
 
Dont know on the cruise but sure someone with knowledge will be along soon or there is probably some info in the subscriber section (well worth the £18 quid mate)

The tracking may solve the tyre wear but shredding of the inside fronts can mean that there is a fair chance your wishbones are on the way out (like mine). Keep an eye on your new tyre for inside wear. I just had mine retracked and the guys said that if it stll didnt feel right then the bones were probably shot. They are not cheap but once done are good for another 10 years.
 
Cruise control has a simple on/off ... + increases speed, - decreases speed, = sets it at the last speed it was running at.
Cruise only works at speeds over 30 mph.
check the little green button on the shifter to see if overdrive is on or off, if its off it should show on your display.
as for it bursting up to 50 mph I`ve never experienced that .. try bringing it down with the - button.
 
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