96 contour problems

[eurobeaner]

Alright, my girlfriend has a 96 contour with the I-4 and it has a couple problems with it... it has 72,xxx miles on it but isnt in the best condition. Her mom bought it for 2000$ and she instantly had to put 600$ into an overheating problem... well the problem is back and she dosnt want to take it there again meaning she will have to put at least 600$ into it again.... There are also other problems, it leaks a 10" round puddle of oil over a 10 hour period and its leaking from the oil pan gasket & pan (hole in it), the brakes really need changed or something, and the rear suspension pops whenever you go over a bump.

For any mechanics, how much do you think each will cost, and do you even think it would be worth the money she would have to put into it.... Any ideas would help... Thanks

[rivguy]

considering the track record for contours - I wouldn't sink too much money into it - the end of the problems will never come and repairs on these models tend to be expensive

[AliasJerk]

Originally Posted by eurobeaner

Alright, my girlfriend has a 96 contour with the I-4 and it has a couple problems with it... it has 72,xxx miles on it but isnt in the best condition. Her mom bought it for 2000$ and she instantly had to put 600$ into an overheating problem... well the problem is back and she dosnt want to take it there again meaning she will have to put at least 600$ into it again.... There are also other problems, it leaks a 10" round puddle of oil over a 10 hour period and its leaking from the oil pan gasket & pan (hole in it), the brakes really need changed or something, and the rear suspension pops whenever you go over a bump.

For any mechanics, how much do you think each will cost, and do you even think it would be worth the money she would have to put into it.... Any ideas would help... Thanks

Well, Im a pretty big contour buff... I know my Zetec engine.. As for your overheating problems, The Zetec has a temperature gauge defect... Ford put in the wrong sensitivity sensor for the sending unit... You can fix this by putting a new sending unit in... Which is fairly easy but not worth the time... Most people on their I4 contours notice that the Gauge will get to the "a" or the "L" on "Normal" before the cooling fan engauges. Which is perfectly normal, the engine is not overheating. But if it goes past the "L" THEN you need to start worrying. As for you hole in the oil pan and gasket, I have no idea how such a thing would happen, generally engine blocks or oil pans dont rust so badly... I have a 96 Contour I4 5 speed and there is no rust on the oil pan at all. I would suggest to check out local bone yards and find a good oil pan for cheap, buy a new gasket and have it all installed if you cant do it yourself. The poping in the rear suspension isnt serious, again another common complaint of contour owners. Its just a REALLY big annoyance... I have had to listen to it for 20K miles now.. Soon enough I will fix it. You need to replace the rear Sway bar bushings... they are about $8 each and HOPEFULLY only take about 30 minutes of your time each.

How far is the temperature gauge going when you claim it over heats? What letter is the needle pointing too? As for needing new brakes... Yeah, 72K miles... her mom should have known better to ask if it was going to need new brakes soon. 72K miles is about the latest time for a new set of brakes. I just needed my 2nd set at 115K miles. im now at 120K and my engine runs like a top.

never fear, the Contour's Zetec engine is not a horrible engine. its actually a very good engine, has SOME problems but there are a lot of cars out there MUCH worse off. With proper maitenece and care it can easily make it to 200K miles, I know... Ive seen it before.