2000 Cougar Lots of Problems

I recently recieved (yes it was free) a 200 Mercury Cougar that a family friend purchased at an auction for cheap becuase it was a bank reposession. It ran great for about 1 month, but suddenly it has lost power. I replaced both of the 02 sensors, and the check engine light is still on. When I try it accelerate, the car bogs down and doesn't want to accelerate. There is a "ticking noise" while I'm idleing, but if I push in the clutch it stops. Also when I am accelerating, it has a horrible clicking noise that stops once I hit about 60, but until then, there is no power. Is there anything I should try before I take it to a mechanic? Or should I consider this car a lost cause. It is great shape except for these problems. I am usually pretty good with cars, but this one has me confused. :banghead: :disappoin

Krystal

are the secondaries opening?

The 2000 Cougar, and Im not sure which other year, had factory flawed fuel pumps. Well actually the pumps work fine its just that do to the placing of them in the vehicle they tend to overheat. If you drive for a long period of time(more then a few hours) the fuel pump begins to overheat and stop functioning as the gas level drops. If you keep the fuel level above half you should not have problems unless the pump has gone bad. My 2000 Cougar stalled with a quarter tank of gas in it because i had been driving for almost 10 hours and the fuel pump overheated.
Also for shits and giggles I would change my spark plug wires.

I recently recieved (yes it was free) a 200 Mercury Cougar that a family friend purchased at an auction for cheap becuase it was a bank reposession. It ran great for about 1 month, but suddenly it has lost power. I replaced both of the 02 sensors, and the check engine light is still on. When I try it accelerate, the car bogs down and doesn't want to accelerate. There is a "ticking noise" while I'm idleing, but if I push in the clutch it stops. Also when I am accelerating, it has a horrible clicking noise that stops once I hit about 60, but until then, there is no power. Is there anything I should try before I take it to a mechanic? Or should I consider this car a lost cause. It is great shape except for these problems. I am usually pretty good with cars, but this one has me confused. :banghead: :disappoin

Krystal

try the fuel pump. i had the same problems. bought used with 40000km. drivability problem. ford changed the fuel pump under warranty

zetec or duratec?

We were having the same problem with our 2000 Cougar, but received notice of a fuel pump recall. They replaced the fuel pump at the dealer free of charge. We have not had any more problems. Maybe you didn't receive the notice. The new fuel pumps were available starting in May or June of this year. You might want to check with a dealer. The problem with the car running out of gas when the gauge showed 1/4 tank was also fixed.

Thank You all for your help but I have encountered another problem... While changing the spark plug wires, one broke and I think I got them mixed up. Does anyone know the firing order, or where I may be able to find it.

Once again this is a 2000 Cougar V6.

Thank You All

Krystal :confused: :swear: