Same problems…

Topic: Same problems… (Read 5341 times) previous topic - next topic

Same problems…

December 01, 2006, 10:09:51 PM

Does your Cat or Bird have perennial problems? My Cougar has had cooling system problems every year. I've replaced either the upper or lower radiator hose every year I've owned her. Last year it was the water pump. Tonight, I was at the gas station and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. About that time, a nice little puddle of antifreeze was at my feet. I limped back to the parking garage (surprisingly the gauge only went up one bar, but it is pretty chilly) and wouldn't you know it, it wasn't leaking at all. Upper radiator hose is fine and I'm hoping its just the lower, but it looks like its probably the radiator this time. I'll see in better light in the morning. I guess its not a huge deal if it is the radiator, but it'll be a bit chilly in the morning around here. Oh well, I guess this way the cat gets fresh antifreeze pretty often. I'm hoping this time it won't all leak out, but we shall see. Anyone else have a cat or bird that seems to break the same, or almost the same thing all the time?

Same problems…

Reply #1 – December 02, 2006, 07:54:51 AM

I've noticed this too.
I just went through a LOT of work on the engine in the '86, so I'm hoping it will treat me right for a few months.
The hood spends more time up than it does down. :)

It's funny how we tend to take these cars for granted when they run well.

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Reply #2 – December 02, 2006, 08:34:40 AM

My 'Bird used to be that way,and I finally got everything worked out......well,almost.My inner tie rods are .Luckily,I just one a set of new inners,the bellows for them,and all for $1.00 plus $8.95 shipping.NOT BAD.After that,all will be well,and that will leave more time for the project 'Bird.I'll still give the current 'Bird atention,or it'll fall apart out of jealousy and spite.Sometimes I swear these cars can think,and they love to test your loyalty.Anyone agree with that?

Same problems…

Reply #3 – December 02, 2006, 08:46:43 AM

Quote from: vinnietbird;116564

Sometimes I swear these cars can think,and they love to test your loyalty.Anyone agree with that?

I fully agree. My car always gave me problems of some sort. The most recent was the most annoying yet.

I took my car to emissions back in May, it ran perfect the entire way down but sitting in line, blew a coolant hose. I fixed it while at the emissions place and started to drive it home and it blew again. I fixed it again and then the car started rattling bad (like a bunch of coins in a pen 15e can), lost all power and died on the road less than 2 miles from my home. It was toast and wouldn't start. A $50 tow bill and after a month of letting my frustration out by letting it sit, I put the key in and it fired right up, no odd noises or anything.

So it hasn't left the driveway since May and I might test it out next weekend but my level of trust for this car right now is non-existant.

Same problems…

Reply #4 – December 02, 2006, 09:24:49 AM

I'm telling you,these cars can think on their own.

Same problems…

Reply #5 – December 02, 2006, 09:42:12 AM

Think you guys have it bad, buy a TC and use it as your daily driver.

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Reply #6 – December 02, 2006, 11:18:05 AM

Quote from: Tbird232ci;116577

Think you guys have it bad, buy a TC and use it as your daily driver.

Been there, done that, no regrets

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Reply #7 – December 02, 2006, 12:03:33 PM

Quote from: Tbird232ci;116577

Think you guys have it bad, buy a TC and use it as your daily driver.

Oh, I've been there. Experience with a TC, I have none but I drove that '88 daily for 4 years straight and the last two were pure hell. It didn't help that I commuted well over 400 miles a week to work and school. If you have a shot at a new car, take it. It's costing a lot and I don't have too much left after I get payed but the 40K+ trouble free miles I've had the past two years have been worth it.

Plus by not driving the Cougar daily, I don't feel the urge to drive it straight into a tree anymore.

Same problems…

Reply #8 – December 02, 2006, 12:25:02 PM

Quote from: 5.0willgo;116615

...I don't feel the urge to drive it straight into a tree anymore.

Hahaha, so true.

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Reply #9 – December 02, 2006, 12:59:27 PM

Mine has had a little bit of cooling system fun. The first thing to go two years ago was the upper radiator hose, followed by the lower hose. Next the water pump went and then the heater core blew out. Then this past summer one of the heater hose started leaking while I was about 7 miles from home. It was 80* out but the car never got hot and got me home fine. It lost about 1/3 of the radiator but that's it. That has been the only time something has gone wrong with the car away from the garage. Either something went wrong just as I was pulling out or into the drive way. I think it's just nice to me in that respect because I don't take it out in the rain or snow:grinno:

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Reply #10 – December 02, 2006, 03:25:24 PM

The funny thing with mine is, even though it has cooling system problems every year, its always cold when it happens. It never trys to get hot in the summer. Maybe thats the Cougars way of telling me I need a winter beater, lol. I'll symbolize antifreeze at my feet with the cat peeing on me.

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Reply #11 – December 02, 2006, 11:43:22 PM

Guess I've been lucky...

Granted I only drove my TC from about April- October every year, but up until this last August I was driving it 70+ miles a day during the time I was driving it...aside from some minor annoyances (U-joints goin out, exhaust leaks, etc) I've had good luck with it.

Hell, over the summer I had a caliper sieze up before I was even 10 minutes into my 40 minute drive home from work...fortunately it wasn't siezed so bad the car wouldn't roll, and I had to drive it the whole rest of the way home. Strangely it didn't really warp the rotor that bad as I put a new caliper on it, even reused the same brake pads, and it's been fine since.

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Reply #12 – December 04, 2006, 12:06:02 PM

Quote from: 5.0willgo

Plus by not driving the Cougar daily, I don't feel the urge to drive it straight into a tree anymore.

It's really funny that it took buying another car to renew my love for the Cougar again. I had cooling system issues for 3 years and electrical problems for 1.

Now if something goes wrong right when you need to go somewhere it doesn't feel like a friend stabbing in you the back. It's more like, Oh a blown hose? You silly car, what were you thinking?

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Reply #13 – December 04, 2006, 12:52:02 PM

This thread is hilarious. I agree with almost everything you guys have said.
With me, it seems like something goes wrong about 25% of the time.
Whenever I drive the '86, I find myself saying outloud, "God... what now?"
The '96 feels like a brand-new Jaguar whenever I drive it.

Same problems…

Reply #14 – December 04, 2006, 01:10:20 PM

Quote from: thesoldan;116926

It's really funny that it took buying another car to renew my love for the Cougar again.

Exactly, it renewed my love for my Cougar so much I bought another one. And that one has just as many problems as the '88. Granted, not in the same places but what was I thinking?

Quote from: cougarcragar

Whenever I drive the '86, I find myself saying outloud, "God... what now?"
The '96 feels like a brand-new Jaguar whenever I drive it.

I get the same thing. When I climb into the '88 and drive it, I think "Good lord, I drove this for 4 years."
It's an adventure on a sunny warm day, I can't imagine driving it again in rain and snow.

Quote from: SSX

I'll symbolize antifreeze at my feet with the cat peeing on me.

That's funny. I symbolize my entire car as a woman on an emotional rollercoaster.