new member

[active]

Hello all

Been viewing this site for some time, it helped me with the purchase of my Cougar, was torn between the Cougar and the Celica but it seems I’ve made the right choice.

Not sure what else to say, I’ll probably be asking all-sorts as I’m new with the car, as the eagerness is flowing

[active]

Now this is worrying, I’m replying to my own post but its because I have a question, so I thought I’d include it on the same post. I’m after a front number plate holder for the Cougar, does any one have any ideas as to where I can buy this from, I have been in touch with Ford but as usual they’re over-charging, so any help would be appreciated.

[active]

Sorry, it’s me again, last question (honest), just wanted to know where the best place to fit an autochanger would be, wasn’t sure if it’s the boot or glove box, again, any help would be appreciated.

[DREAMCATCHER]

Originally posted by: active
Sorry, it’s me again, last question (honest), just wanted to know where the best place to fit an autochanger would be, wasn’t sure if it’s the boot or glove box, again, any help would be appreciated.

:)....thats an easy Q to answer..................in the boot where the factory insalled one do go.......................As i said to the other new member...........Happiness is a contented pussy cat........keep it clean and well oiled.........:banana:

[Blackadder]

Hi and welcome.....

Can't really help you with the number plate holder, unless you can get one from a breaker then as far as I know your local Ford dealer would be the only other choice.
As for the CD autochanger, if you currently have the Ford 5000 RDS head unit then you could replace it with the 6006E 6 Disc in-dash autochanger......obtainable from ebay for about £150-160 and is a direct replacement, 5 minute job.....then you could sell your old unit.
This changer is very good for an OEM unit but if you want the full trip then there are several members on these boards who have awesome systems and will no doubt give their advice :)

Hope this helps.

[active]

Thanks DREAMCATCHER and Blackadder. I like the sound of the 6006E, will look it up, I’ve got my old head unit and autochanger from my last car, so I guess I could auction that off in ebay.

Any ideas as to when the cambelt needs changing, I’ve got 57,000 on the clock, I read that it should be changed at about 70,000 but is it best to change it sooner?

[Groove]

Welcome active,
I was in my local Halfords the other day and they now do number plate surrounds, not exactly the same as ours but they could be adapted easily, i am going to get the carbon look one.
As for they auto-changer, i built a panel on the rear left quarterside of the boot and fitted a changer and amp, then repeated the idea on the other side of the boot and fitted a 10" alpine sub, and missus is happy because she has not lost any of the valuable boot space she needs so desperately for shopping!lol.
If no record of cam belt change, then i would change it now, just to be sure. I thought it was to be changed at 60,000.

[cougarfella]

hi active

welcome to the forums. dont be afraid to ask any questions no matter how stupid they sound. you wont be the first to ask them!!

[Jason J]

if you have a v6 you do not have a cambelt!! and as matt says just ask well let you know if its stupid!! only kidding :biggrin:

[active]

Thank you all for your help, I have the 2.0ltr version. I think I will change the cambelt, best to have it done before it causes knock on effects with the rest of the engine. Will go to Halfords this afternoon, that’s if I can get myself out the car once I’m driving.

Right, time for the Q’s, I can see you all going ‘oh no’

1. When I start the car I can hear a tapping noise coming from the engine, is this anything to do with the tappets, after a while it disappears?

2. Can anyone recommenced any good alloy wheel locking nuts, I have the original alloys on the car and when calling Ford, they quoted £59.99, this was because it’s an American size lock, not sure how true this is though?

3. When buying the car I didn’t receive the owner’s handbook but along with this I know there’s also a quick reference guide, which was issued when the car was new. So I was wondering if anyone could possible email me the quick reference guide, I’d really appreciate it.

4. How many of you still have the space saver wheel in the boot, has anyone bought or swapped it for an original alloy, if so how much was it?


That’s all for now folks, sorry about the bombardment of questions.

[active]

Sorry, it’s me again, just wondering if anyone knows if the Ford Probe number plate holder is the same as the Cougar? There’s loads of Probes to be found at the scrap yard, I haven’t come across any Cougars. From the photos, they look the same, I’ll give Ford a call later.

[Blackadder]

No probs with the questions...just ask away ;)

Q1...don't know but I'm sure someone else will
Q2...I have the original Ford locking nuts that came with the car....let me know if you need the part no.
Q3...I have the Quick Reference guide but no scanner...but you may be interested in This (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2424882136&category=9908) on ebay with 3hrs to go.
Q4...I bought a spare alloy wheel off another member which I just keep in the garage.....they are too deep to fit in the boot as a replacement for the space-saver.

The Probe number plate holder certainly looks similar and shouldn't cost much from a breaker...

Good Luck :thumbsup:

[Cougarbloke]

Question 1 Answer.....you're correct in saying the noise is coming from you're tappets. These tappets are hydraulic and will be noisey when first starting your engine because of the lack of oil. After a few minutes the oil will be pumped to the top half of your engine and quieten those tappets down. This isn't a problem, it's normal with most engines. :)

[Mac1]

Welcome to the Club & the Forum Active. You certainly are and it's good to see.

Don't forget the UK 'Search' facility it really is useful, as also is the Forum of our cousins over there.

[active]

I have to live up to the name, hence the questions. Thanks again for helping, I’m glad I joined the forum. Called Ford, they said that the number plate holder is the same for both the Probe and the Cougar, new price is £22.00 plus VAT, not much but I’d imagine it being a lot cheaper from a breaker. I may do the same with regards to the spare wheel, I’d like a spare alloy wheel, shame it doesn’t fit into the well of the space-saver.

Blackadder: would it be possible for you to give me the part No for the locking nuts?

Also, if anyone else does have access to a scanner, could they please email me the Quick Reference Guide?

How easy or difficult is it to change the side repeaters, I’d like to change mine to clear ones. Also, as I don’t have the manual, I need to know how to change a bulb on the front, my side-light isn’t working and I also have a DEAD spider in the lens, I have a feeling I paid extra for the dead spider when purchasing the car.

Thanks again.

[Blackadder]

The part no. on the packet is 98BG-1A043-BA
The side repeaters come out by pushing them to the front of the car and then pulling out. Very quick job.

[active]

Thanks, I’ll look it up with ford and I’ll give the repeaters a go.

[Cougarbloke]

In order to change the side repeater you just need to slide the lense to the left or the right, just cannot remember which way at the moment, it will then pop out at one side, the rest is then obvious.

To change the side-light bulb you need to take out the full light assembly. This is held in by 2 or 3 screws.

[Mac1]

Try 'search' for headlights to Forum in May.

[vinie]

Why bother with the number plate holder. You have a Silver Cougar and it looks far better with the holder removed and the plate fixed using sticky foam pads.

[P999LTS]

Originally posted by: vinie
Why bother with the number plate holder. You have a Silver Cougar and it looks far better with the holder removed and the plate fixed using sticky foam pads.



:confused: I have a Silver Cat as well and lost my front number plate holder 6 mths ago. The sticky foam pads lasted abaout 3 mths, I've now put back the Ford numberplate holder + screwed the plate in. Cost about £20.00.

The 2.5 cat does not need a cambelt change - we don't have one!!

[active]

P999LTS, can i ask where u bought your number plate holder from, was it from Ford ?

[P999LTS]

:crazy: No it was a local garage, but I assume that it must have been a Ford part because it fitted the car. The Cougar is actually a cheap car to service etc. - my other car is a KA and that costs more!! (about an extra £100 a service)

Pete

[vinie]

Originally posted by: P999LTS I have a Silver Cat as well and lost my front number plate holder 6 mths ago. The sticky foam pads lasted about 3 mths, I've now put back the Ford numberplate holder + screwed the plate in. Cost about £20.00..


Well all I can say to that is that mine has been on since Jan this year and is so solid that the only way to remove it would be using a knife. There are lots of different adhesives so may be your foam pads used a weaker type, also you have to degrease the bumper before fitting. But mine is solid as the day I fitted it gets power washed each week and now problems.