Help! car trouble with 2001 couger!!!

My roommate just called me and said his 2001 cougers engine seemed to just seize on him and die. He was able to get it to start again and move off the road. He said it seemed like it was acting as if it wasnt getting enough gas or something and it didnt make much noise. Any ideas what the problem could be? Thanks in advance.

i suspect the timing belt broke, remove the oil fill cap, have someone crank the engine over to see if cam shafts are moving. could be fuel pump. turn key to run position, listen for hum noise in rear. let me know what you find out

i suspect the timing belt broke, remove the oil fill cap, have someone crank the engine over to see if cam shafts are moving. could be fuel pump. turn key to run position, listen for hum noise in rear. let me know what you find out

I'm almost positive 99 was the only year Cougars had the 4 cylinder which having timing belts. After that the V6 was standard. The V6 has timing chains, which in the 11 years I've owned a Contour, I've never heard of a Contour/Mystique/Cougar breaking a timing chain.

If I had to guess, the fuel pump is done. Turn the key to the accessory position and check the shraeder valve for fuel pressure. Hold it down for about 10 seconds and see if you get consistent fuel pressure. I bet this is it.