Engine not running?

Cranks over, but no start. Gas spits out the carburetor when stop cranking.

1. Make and Model of your car? = Mercury Courgar
2. Current odometer reading? = 125,000
3. Stick Shift or Automatic Transmission? = Stick Shift
4. 2 or 4 wheel drive? = 2 wheel drive
5. Strange sounds? = No
6. Fluid leaks? No
7. Past repair history if applicable? Timing was completed about 3 years ago.

Unfortunately, I've had to garage my 1999 Mercury cougar for the past 2 years. During the last year I did not turn the car on at all. I'm getting ready to give it to my younger brother so that it doesn't just sit in my garage. When I went to turn it on the engine did not seem to want to remain on. It sounded like it wanted to start, and the starter is turning the engine.
I went to a local auto parts store and they recommended that I spray some starter fluid where the air comes into the engine. That seemed to have started the car, but as soon as the spray was exhausted, the car went back to it's orignal state which was not remaining turned on even though the starter is turning the engine.
I've added clean fuel, and have replaced the battery. I've asked around, and someone mentioned that the car alarm may impact the fuel pump some how if it is disconnected from the battery too long. The car did sit in the garage for at least a year without a working battery.
Does anyone know where I could look in the alarm area, or know if that may even impact the car from starting up after being turned off for such a long time?
What else could I look at? Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks,
99cougar

I have a 99 mercury cougar, 4cy with 104,000 miles. I was in a very minor accident and now the car wont start. All I sustained was some minor damage to the front bumper and a small dent on the hood. At first the battery seemed drained, but I jumped the battery and it has very bright lights, etc. But it still wont start. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2000 Mercury Cougar, V-6 auto, 129,000 miles. Doesn't start when sitting in the sun for more than 6 hours, does this make sense? If temps are below 72, no problem.

Well I have a 1994 mercury cougar xr7 v8 and I changed the fuel filter cuz I went out and try to start it but it just kept turning over like it was outta gas but have a half of tank. So we changed the filter seem to run better but then it started that again it tries to start but it just keeps turning over like it is outta gas.

Disconnect the fuel filter at the output side. Basically youll be checking to see if fuel comes out when you turnthe key on. If not then take the filter off and try it again if you've still got no fuel you need a fuel pump. If you do get fuel check the fuel tank for trash clogging up the filters.

Ok thank you and how can I tell if its my fuel pump cause after I change the fuel filter it seemed to start up and run ok so I thought I fixed my problem but it started having the same problem before I changed to the fuel filter. It turns over but it turns over like it is out of gas but it ain't.

If fuel comes out with the filter off and gas in the tank then the pump works. Do that first and we'll go from there

If we have to change the fuel pump then how we would take the tank off cause underneath it looks like there is a cover on the tank but didn't see the straps or bolts to take off the tank but I can post as pic if need too

There are two straps that hold the tank up there. Drain all the gas out first. Once its lowered down on a jack a little strap it to the jack and disconnect all the fuel lines and wires. Once its out knock off the retainer ring that holds the pump in and remove the pump. Please be very carefu! This is not a job to be taken lightly. Raising a vehicle and working under it on the ground is so dangerous, but then so is getting up nowadays. Lol. Just make sure youre on concrete, not dirt. Good luck