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2001 Mercury Cougar Hesitating and loss of power

Tiny
BIGGE222
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 149,000 MILES
My son just had his automatic transmission replaced in his 2001 Cougar and within a day it started running rough and hesitating at various speeds as well as taking off. The trans. Shop said he needs a tune-up now. He spent $1600.00 on the trans. Swap, now they want over $300.00 to do a tune-up. Maybe it's coincidental but my real question is what needs to be replaced or done with this tune-up? I did my truck and saved $300.00. I'm hoping I can do this one as well. Thanks!

mike
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 AT 5:41 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Actually, the tune up is no different than any other vehicle. However, I really question if it needs tuned up. The need for one becomes noticeable over time and not all at once. If the car didn't have the problem prior to the trans replacement, I would be checking other things. First, I would start by checking for vacuum leaks. When they removed the trans, several would have been disconnected and they may have forgotten to reattach one. Or, one may have been damaged. Check that out and let me know what you find.
Joe
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
BIGGE222
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
What is involved in changing the spark plugs on this 2001 Cougar?
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
You will either have plug wires or coil packs. If wires, remove the wires one at a time (so they don't get mixed up) to access the spark plug. Just unbolt the old one, gap and replace the new one. Some cars have coil packs for each cylender. IF that is what you have, remove the coil pack to access the plug.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 AT 6:06 PM
Tiny
BIGGE222
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I guess I came off as an idiot but actually I'm not. What I meant was when you open the hood on this car, all you see is a big cover over the engine. My question is am I going to have to take the manifold off to get to the plugs like you do on some other cars like say some of the models from Mitsubishi and some other manufacturers? The Ford dealers want over $300.00 to do this tune-up and I know they're way over priced but is this a 4 hour job? Thanks again.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2009 AT 12:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
I looked it up labor for replacement, and according to mitchell on line it calls for 1.5 hours. So, 300 dollars seems high.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2009 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
BIGGE222
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for your help.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2009 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Let me know if you have other questions, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Thursday, July 30th, 2009 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
BIGGE222
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
You actually have to take the 6 bolts that hold the manifold in place out, the 3 bolts holding the distributor in place, and the 3 bolts holding the front cover of the engine out and then it's a piece of cake to get the plugs out. You could probably leave the manifold alone but it was just alot easier with it loose. I changed the plugs and replaced the spark plug wires and had it back running in about 40 minutes. Not bad for the first time seeing the car.
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Saturday, August 1st, 2009 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
ACTUALCOUGAROWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
If you really new anything about this year make and model of the car you would have an area where you could put your two sense in but since you obviously dont then please keep the remarks to real mercury mechanics
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Thursday, September 10th, 2009 AT 11:38 PM
Tiny
ACTUALCOUGAROWNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The reason it is $300 is you have to add in parts plug wires and plugs and possible which I would recommend a new coil pack right off the bat
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Thursday, September 10th, 2009 AT 11:41 PM

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