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86 Cougar idles fine, but when pressing gas pedal it dies
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LogansTPost4
New User
Jan 22, 2009, 9:47 AM
Post #1 of 6
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86 Cougar idles fine, but when pressing gas pedal it dies
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HELP!! My 86 Mercury Cougar w/ 6cyl eng & mileage unknown as digital speedometer went out long ago & so did the replacement(a guess would be 350,000-400,000+), aka My Baby, has started giving me a slight problem. After it gets really warmed up & I come to a stop or slow down in traffic, when I press the accelerator, it dies. Fortunately, it has cranked back up - but still scarry during heavy traffic times. It will idle fine all day long, but the minute you press that gas pedal it dies. Although, I knew this wasn't the problem, I gave in to the request to have the idle increased. Did not solve the problem. I really love this car - has been unbelievably a great vehicle with little major expense. I make sure the oil is changed and transmission serviced, so I'm not willing to give up. My regular mechanic has retired and doesn't want to tackle the job of trial & error, so I thought if I gave him a little help - he would help me out. Does it sound like a fuel or vacuum problem??? Since this is an "old" car - maybe WaytooOld can help - or anyone else!!
Thanks!
86Cougar
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2009, 11:35 AM
Post #2 of 6
(3337 views)
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Re: 86 Cougar idles fine, but when pressing gas pedal it dies
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You mean our famous way2old with the crystal ball?
Might need that with so many miles as the book's wide open and he's the only one with the ball!
Till he drop by - does this drive ok if you don't suddenly accellerate? Guesses for now - perhaps a TPS or a fairly large vacuum leak.
It's in order to check things overall. Timing chain condition, fuel pressure and a host of things.
Side note on digital dash: Have you just tried to see in an analog dash will fit in the same spot with the same plug? I'm not sure but it just might - if you are ever junk yarding take a look at some all torn apart to see if plug and wires are the same or have most of the same wires. It's possible the extra data for digital is just extra and plain dash panel would fit right in and work with what was displayed on regular dash,
T
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LogansTPost4
New User
Jan 22, 2009, 1:40 PM
Post #3 of 6
(3333 views)
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Re: 86 Cougar idles fine, but when pressing gas pedal it dies
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Thanks for the reply, Mr. Greenleaf....
Let me give you one of the instances: Drove to work in the morning and on my way home that afternoon stopped by the store - everything fine. Cranked car up after store, drove thru parking lot to red light-car is idling fine waiting on light to turn green; pushed gas & car wanted to go dead. Kept it running by keeping foot on brake & ever so slowly pushing gas......got off the busy road but had to fight it on my way home, actually did go dead 2 times but started right back up-did the brake & gas thing again. You can stop at a light or in traffic and will idle fine - don't know you have a problem until you press the gas...then bogs & dies.
Family & friends say the old Cougar runs, when everything else breaks down!! I'm just trying to keep it running for another year or two - to retirement. I work downtown and the overspray from sandblasting & painting of ships @ Shipyd ruins paint job, windshields, etc & don't want to drive the other car - besides I still love my Cougar.
There is an automotive shop my husband has used for his truck - just figure they may not want to fool with my car since it's so old; but I know there is still life under the hood!!!!!
Regarding junking for Cougars - you can't find that many in the junkyds....have been lucky with Ebay motors on some items.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2009, 4:19 PM
Post #4 of 6
(3324 views)
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Re: 86 Cougar idles fine, but when pressing gas pedal it dies
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I'm sure this is "must fix" situation + love affair with a car that's been so good to you - been there and still doing it myself!
I'm totally caught up and hope it's not sending you off on the wrong tangent for a fix but it's so "throttle" sensitive that it wicked makes me suspect the TPS = Throttle Position Sensor. Here's a link on how to test one.....
http://www.autozone.com/...eId=0900c1528006b842
The thing looks like this.....
Just two Phillips head screws hold that down BUT watch out - they might be good and stuck. Take a "Q" tip and some PB (Power Blaster) pentrating oil/spray and put some on anything threaded you think you ever might need to remove.
It very well could just be the connector - clean/wipe ---- good place for WD-40 and some "dielectic" grease or silicone grease is really the same.
This is a great part to go get used IMO. I'm almost certain there's just two for the vintage and you won't know till you take it off - the part underside that turns and changes resistance to tell injectors how much fuel to add will be either black or blue and I think that's all that matters. Note that two tangs are sensing the screwdriver like pivot of the throttle plate. Those tangs must be on the correct side of the nubs of the TPS - you'd see when you get there if you do.
Back to used parts: Does this Cougar share any exact dash parts with T-Birds? If so it gives you more cars to chase. The engine shares lots with Taurus, Sable and other 3.8s so that helps.
Timing Chain: They don't last by age alone if original you have a record for miles. OE was a nylon cam gear that didn't hold up despite any care you give the engine. Not yet on me on a Ford but I've had them jump back and forth and somehow pick the right spot over and over but you can test for how slack it might be if you want - another discussion.
Keep at it,
T
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LogansTPost4
New User
Feb 10, 2009, 10:03 AM
Post #5 of 6
(3248 views)
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Re: 86 Cougar idles fine, but when pressing gas pedal it dies
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Mr. Greenleaf.....Since you were so kind to reply to my desperate call for help, I thought I would update you on my Cougar. Mustered up enough nerve to take it to shop and they were very nice to me.....probably thought this ole lady must be crazy to still be driving this old car!!! Anyway, the mechanic set the timing 8 degrees - not sure what that means or what would cause it to need this done. Does this sound viable to you? My husband picked up the car so I didn't get to ask any "blond" car questions!!!! I have been driving it for 2 days and so far, so good. It took me a 3 days to get up the nerve to drive it out of the yard. It's a pretty scary feeling when your vehicle goes dead and you see cars approaching in your mirror.
Thanks for your response......who needs that old wizard guy anyway!!!!!!!
86 Cougar
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 10, 2009, 10:32 AM
Post #6 of 6
(3237 views)
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Re: 86 Cougar idles fine, but when pressing gas pedal it dies
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First off you can call me Tom or the wacko with the Kitty!
OK: This is interesting info and brings about ideas for this car. What may have happened is the shop/tech advanced the timing 8 degrees to to 8 degrees and that allows it to run again somewhat well.
The overriding question is why did it need adjustment??
A. Someone move it and didn't reset it.
B. Something is worn allowing it to go out or range! Sorry to say I thinks it's that
Back when with the high and unknown miles on this car I mentioned the timing chain. It's really just a heavy duty chain with two gears. Not unlike what you see on a bicycle but much stronger. OK: The lower part of the engine is with the crankshaft and the top runs the valve train via a camshaft and also turns the distributor which when set is supposed to deliver spark at the correct time - handy little idea huh?
What can happen is the gears and chain wear and become loose to hold the correct position. It's possible for them to jump a tooth or two and still run but not so well. At three or four teeth off it about won't run at all.
You can cover this by adjusting the timing but it's a fast patch if it's truly worn and did jump! You can ask to have chain movement tested which is done by taking cap off of the distributor so you can see its rotor. Then turn the crankshaft by socket at the lower pulley/aka Damper while watching the timing marks. You turn one way till rotor on distributor moves and mark that spot. Then go the other way and see how far in degrees which are marked on that damper it goes before the rotor in the distributor turns and count those degrees. A few is normal. There's beginning to be trouble around 5 degrees. Bet yours would show 6-12 which means something has to be done if you wish to depend on this car.
You can't see this timing chain and its gears but that does indicate its wear and chances that it can jump off the exact tooth it belongs on.
Take that info (now you won't sound so blond (really - as if guys know diddle either!) when you inquire about that.
I'd put that high on the list of possible troubles with an old high mile car and if you have some tolerance to go thru some repairs like that it can still serve you for longer
T
Ps: Here's a pic of a typical timing chain and gears installed but everything removed so you can see it!
See - If that's too loose it can jump off the right mark......
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