View Full Version : THe owners manual was written by drunken apes...
BlackCatOH
06-13-2006, 07:32 PM
Alright, I checked the OM to see just how I go about replacing the side marker bulbs and/or the side markers themselves and it's like a german version of english. Just how d'you get those damned things off the car?!?
Also, some of you may recall that I was having problems with surging throughout 3rd (even though I have had my EGR replaced, and my DPFE, and....) and I think I may have nailed it on the head. I have noticed that whenever I filled up at BP the surging was worse. However, UDF and Giant Eagle Regular Unleaded reduced the surging. I am now on my second tank of Mid-Grade, and the surging has been reduced to background noise. My dad seems to think it may be an octane sensor.....anyone else have other ideas?
B3NN3TT
06-13-2006, 07:39 PM
The sidemarkers come off relatively easily. You have to slide them either forward (towards the front bumper) or backward (vice versa) to release the clip. Then tip it out. Try both ways; which ever way it moves, that's what you want.
And could you mean Oxygen sensor? Those will throw a Check Engine light when they need replaced.
LinkMan
06-13-2006, 08:14 PM
Check the labels on the pumps, and see if the gasoline you're having problems with is one of the "may contain up to 10% ethanol" blends. That may be the difference.
Don't know if it would surge or not, but I know my Dad has seen definite differences in MPG, noticeably better with non-ethanol blends. Though once they phase out DPTE (or is it DTPE? whatever...) there may not be any non-ethanol blends.
Tygerr
06-14-2006, 12:26 AM
BP gas SUCKS!!!!!!!!!
It makes my car run like ass.
InnovaZero
06-14-2006, 02:34 AM
What do you guys think the best gas is, I try not to use BP/Sinoco unless they happen to be like 10-15c cheaper on a given day.
Goldie
06-14-2006, 03:16 AM
BP, ARCO and the other cheap gas stations are less $ because they get their oil from within the USA not oversees... not because it's crappy fuel.
check it out some time... every brand people think of as 2nd rate is supplied from Alaska or the Gulf coast oil. THATs why it's cheaper. While Texaco, Chevron, 76 etc use imported oil.
I only use Citco or Speedway or Sheets. I only use midgrade or better. At least once a month I run premium gas.
BP is crap. It eats head gaskets.
I also dont use that fuel clear crap, it eats gaskets too.
It did a number on my brothers engine.
AnthonyP
06-14-2006, 12:00 PM
I try to only use Shell gasoline in my vehicles, I have found that the cheaper gas stations (around here that would be Swifty, BP, Speedway) make my car run like ****.
B3NN3TT
06-14-2006, 12:23 PM
Gas is incidental to me. I have only had ONE incident where I think a tank of gas caused my car to run badly, and it was from either Sunoco or Shell - it started with an S...
Otherwise, I get BP gas ALL THE TIME, and Speedway/SuperAmerica. And occasionally United Dairy Farmers, which is maybe... Marathon? I donno. Like I say, I just avoid stations that begin with an S and I'm OK.
soldier989
06-14-2006, 12:37 PM
I stick to Mobil mostly.
But I get gas anywhere, and the only time i've had an issue was with Thorntons' It caused my enginge to tick noticeably.
Tygerr
06-14-2006, 01:30 PM
BP is crap oil, and it's not any cheaper by any chance. I don't know anything about who owns who, just what my car doesn't like.
I stick to Shell/Marathon, every so often Super America. Sunoco's not too bad either, but it's got a bunch of detergents in it. I wish I could remember what gas I was using when my car ran out at a 1/4 tank, twice!
LinkMan
06-14-2006, 02:02 PM
Otherwise, I get BP gas ALL THE TIME, and Speedway/SuperAmerica. And occasionally United Dairy Farmers, which is maybe... Marathon?
Similar situation here - I use UDF all the time 'cause it's usually the least expensive, and it's the most convenient to my home/commute. I use Speedway most of the other times, due to convenience 'cause of where I drive.
I think UDF is Mobil or Marathon, an "M" at least - Who has Speedpass?
My sister has had issues with BP gasoline in the 'Tour before it was mine. Hard to say what's in the tanks though, since sometimes different chains get it from the same refineries depending on where they are and who they have agreements with. :shrug:
AnthonyP
06-14-2006, 02:40 PM
UDF is Exxon/Mobil, which is also Speedway, Swifty, and I think someone else, Shell is Amoco Fuels (I think), and BP is BP.
InnovaZero
06-14-2006, 05:27 PM
UDF is Exxon/Mobil, which is also Speedway, Swifty, and I think someone else, Shell is Amoco Fuels (I think), and BP is BP.
BP is Amoco, I don't know who Shell uses or is...but I try to use them as I've heard for a lot of people/sources that Shell is damn good gas.
AnthonyP
06-14-2006, 06:00 PM
I remember now; Shell uses Truenorth.
BlackCatOH
06-15-2006, 10:22 PM
I only use Citco or Speedway or Sheets. I only use midgrade or better. At least once a month I run premium gas.
BP is crap. It eats head gaskets.
I also dont use that fuel clear crap, it eats gaskets too.
It did a number on my brothers engine.
OMG!!!!! WHere is there a Sheetz? I haven't seen one of them since I moved here. THere aren't any Wawa stations, are there?
Also, I'm on my second tank of Mid from Giant Eagle/UDF..and the surging is very slight now. By the by, anyone know the best mercury dealership to have a diagnostic done? Something has gone funny in my car, don't know what, but my gut is telling me every time I drive it. Almost want to say my PS pump...though I'm not sure.
AnthonyP
06-16-2006, 09:15 AM
I would run some fuel injector cleaner through and try stepping back down to 87 on the next tank.
B3NN3TT
06-16-2006, 10:26 AM
Totally. Your computer is programmed to run 87, and you don't have the mods to need anything higher
LinkMan
06-16-2006, 02:16 PM
By the by, anyone know the best mercury dealership to have a diagnostic done?
I go to Krieger L-M on the NW side, Billingsley at Sawmill. But I've never had a diagnostic, and the only repair I've had done to this Cougar is the replacement driver's rear brake caliper. So neutral opinion.
Tony (Afroman) used to go to Krieger Ford on Morse Rd. when he lived in C-Bus. He said they didn't seem to mind working on his modded Cougar (headers and SVT parts).
Tygerr
06-17-2006, 04:00 AM
I go to Krieger L-M on the NW side, Billingsley at Sawmill. But I've never had a diagnostic, and the only repair I've had done to this Cougar is the replacement driver's rear brake caliper. So neutral opinion.
Tony (Afroman) used to go to Krieger Ford on Morse Rd. when he lived in C-Bus. He said they didn't seem to mind working on his modded Cougar (headers and SVT parts).
Same... only dealer I didn't get stuff from for doing warranty work (back in the day.) Well, it was suspension work (completely stock), but I had to argue and ended up leaving another dealer.
BlackCatOH
06-18-2006, 11:35 AM
I would run some fuel injector cleaner through and try stepping back down to 87 on the next tank.
Already been done long ago....problem is still there. Injector and Fuel System cleaners...nadda in difference. Also, should more than my rear wheels have balancing weights? I know that if they don't need them there won't be any...but I have a shudder off and on in my steering at highway speeds.
Tygerr
06-18-2006, 12:19 PM
Try getting them balanced again and see if it goes away. I'd ask them to inside weight it if all possible, they never like to, but it looks so much cleaner and saves your rim.
BlackCatOH
06-21-2006, 09:12 PM
Holy crap...I just got 350+ miles from one tank of 89 octane! That's the best I've gotten since I bought the car last Dec. Oh, and back to the original reason I started this thread....do the APC Oval sidemarkers fit our vehicles?
*edit* I found them...located at Custom Cougars.