Help with my mercury cougar
jokeryona
04-26-2011, 12:19 PM
Over the last year my car had to be fixed twice. First in March because leaking oil. I stopped driving it until I had the money to get it fixed, which was about June. I then drove it for about another 3 weeks before my tire blew out, but I didnt have money for a new one then either so I had to let it set. I got a tire in Sept, but I had cranked the car so the battery had died.
I didnt get a battery until my taxes came in last week. That was just the backstory.
Currently the car drives, but it has small leak of oil, a faint burning smell (don't know if the two are related), and when I brake I can feel it vibrate my foot.
What things do I really need to look for and expect after such a long time without being driven?
I didnt get a battery until my taxes came in last week. That was just the backstory.
Currently the car drives, but it has small leak of oil, a faint burning smell (don't know if the two are related), and when I brake I can feel it vibrate my foot.
What things do I really need to look for and expect after such a long time without being driven?
shorod
04-26-2011, 12:57 PM
What year is your Cougar, and which engine does it have?
The burning smell and oil leak are likely related. Knowing the engine may help identify common areas for leaks on them. Do you see the oil leak from under the hood or only know it's leaking because it leaves spots on the floor/ground? Do you only notice it in the brake pedal or does the steering wheel also shake when braking? If only through the pedal, the warped rotor is probably on the rear. If it's also in the steering then you're likely looking for a warped front rotor. If the rotors are thick enough you may be able to save some money by just having them turned/machined. Check the replacement cost though, sometimes it's not cost-effective to machine them.
-Rod
The vibration when braking is probably a warped brake rotor or two.
The burning smell and oil leak are likely related. Knowing the engine may help identify common areas for leaks on them. Do you see the oil leak from under the hood or only know it's leaking because it leaves spots on the floor/ground? Do you only notice it in the brake pedal or does the steering wheel also shake when braking? If only through the pedal, the warped rotor is probably on the rear. If it's also in the steering then you're likely looking for a warped front rotor. If the rotors are thick enough you may be able to save some money by just having them turned/machined. Check the replacement cost though, sometimes it's not cost-effective to machine them.
-Rod
The vibration when braking is probably a warped brake rotor or two.
jokeryona
04-26-2011, 01:53 PM
its a 2000. 4 cylinder. It was only a drip after I drove it around for 15 minutes. It dripped on the right side. Also I could feel the vibration in the steering wheel when I braked as well.
shorod
04-26-2011, 08:24 PM
The vibration is most likely due to warped brake rotors.
I guess the next challenge for the oil leak will be to determine the source. Are you pretty certain it's engine oil, or might it be power steering fluid? I wouldn't expect it to be transmission fluid if it's on the right (passenger) side of the car.
-Rod
I guess the next challenge for the oil leak will be to determine the source. Are you pretty certain it's engine oil, or might it be power steering fluid? I wouldn't expect it to be transmission fluid if it's on the right (passenger) side of the car.
-Rod
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