How to Troubleshoot the Exhaust System in a Mercury Cougar
- 1). Assess the overall condition of your Cougar's exhaust system by looking for smoke coming out of the tail pipe. If you see white smoke, most likely antifreeze is entering the cylinder area. Blue smoke indicates that engine oil is leaking into the cylinder area, while black smoke means that fuel is leaking into the cylinder and isn't burning properly.
- 2). Check the exhaust manifold for looseness and leaks. You have to remove the heated oxygen sensor, EGR tube and catalytic converter to get to the exhaust manifold attached to the Cougar's engine.
- 3). Inspect the tailpipe all the way to the Cougar's engine. The connection between the exhaust manifold and the cylinder head is a common problem area for leaks.
- 4). Listen for popping or hissing while your engine is running, which can mean exhaust problems. Additionally, a chugging sound could mean that the exhaust system is clogged. Rattling sounds could mean that your car is misaligned, rather than indicating any exhaust problems.
- 5). Determine if there are any holes or leaks in your muffler. You can visually check the rest of the exhaust system for holes, cracks and leaks.
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