New Owner but unfortunately it has not started well!

G

GN2015

New user
Feb 21, 2015
2
0
Leatherhead
Hi All, I have recently purchased a Black X Reg 2.5 V6 Cougar and fell in love immediately. It is from what I believe a top spec, full leather interior, Cougar logo door cards, heated seats (Driver electric seat, passenger manual),6 discs CD changer and roared so beautifully!
Unfortunately during a drive from Leatherhead to Portsmouth, it developed a worrying knocking sound in the engine! I have recently been advised the bottom end has gone so have had to stop driving it!

Is this a common fault with Cougars? It only has 68,000 miles on the clock and owned by one lady for the last 12 years!
Does anyone know of a cheaper solution or is it easier to break it down?

Thanks
 
Not common, but unfortunately the 'death rattle' is usually an engine replacement job.

You can get it repaired of course, but it is time consuming and can be expensive - unless you can do it yourself.

Engines are not generally expensive, but unfortunately its a proper ball ache of a problem and has seen the end of many a cougar.
 
Thank you for your feedback! I have been quoted about £2,000 for a full engine re-build. I know a scrap engine would be cheaper but not guarantee it will solve the problem and for how long until it happens again if it does! I am reluctant to give it up so quickly but cant afford to pay that money!
 
My car had a terrible rattle too but the dealership had it fixed when I put a deposit down. I didn't know about this 'death rattle'. Afaik the rattle was fixed with a tensioner or a replacement pully I think. Leatherhead to Portsmouth? Thats the A3, no?
 
scunnycougar said:
2 grand is a joke.
Click to expand...

Joke or not, it's the going rate for labour on this job.

GN2015, are you able to to post a video of the noise? It'd be useful to know whether it's bottom end knock or something else. Not that I'm questioning your mechanic of course...
 
Blimey. When my Mongy developed a smoking habit I was quoted £800 for a swap, including a secondhand motor.

I thought you could do bottom end bearings with the engine in situ anyway?
 
I guess the going rate is whatever the person doing the work can get away with charging in one respect?

Doesn't mean you shouldn't shop around a bit, and by that I mean firmly but politely decline his offer!
 
Plenty of V6 lumps kicking about including a couple between here and SCC if i'm not mistaken. A good used engine, UKCo membership and a few good posts could see you heading towards a completely FREE swap, minus a ton of pig and gallons of tea. :)
 
I would drop another engine in. £500 should see you with a good engine and the job done as well if the car is overall in top condition. good luck.
 
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