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Question: 1994 Mercury Topaz  mileage: 120,000. There's a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. It sounds a little like metal on a grinder or perhaps on a chop saw with the blade just touching it. It's only present from about 2100 rpms to 2400 rpms peaking around 2250. At 2250, it is very loud. It is present in gear and in neutral. Because of how loud it is, I hesitate to search around a whole lot trying to find the exact source for fear that I may be doing damage while I do so. It does sound like it's coming from the top of the engine though, but that could certainly be wrong.

Answer: Your noise may be a timing belt or the front crankshaft dampener. We have found several Mercury's with cracked dampeners with similar noises.

Question:  1993 Mercury Topaz  mileage: 134,000.  This problem has happened 4 times over the last 2 weeks.  When the car is idling (like at a stop sign), something under the hood buzzes and a puff of smoke comes out.  It began as just a short buzz that repeated itself once, but the last two times the buzz has increased in length and the amount of smoke given off increases.  The smoke is gray, not black.  I had my alternator checked, and it is supposedly OK.

Answer:  The buzzing sound may be caused by the cooling system overheating and the radiator cap releasing pressure.  The smoke may be caused by the escaping coolant turning to steam.

Question:  1986 Mercury Topaz  mileage: 165,000.  The car has a computer code of 41 for oxygen sensor running too lean, but the car runs very rich.  I have replaced the oxygen sensor but yet the code remains.  Do you have any idea what may cause this code to remain and not go away?  It is the only code I have in the computer so I tried several times to erase the memory on computer by pulling battery cables 10 minutes and even overnight.  I have also checked the wiring on the sensor.  What do you suggest?

Answer:  Check for leaking fuel injector and excessive fuel pump pressure.

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Question:  1991 Mercury Topaz  mileage: 125,000.  I was on the highway today, with my window defroster (front and rear) on, my stereo, which employs a 300-watt amp, and my headlights and we were stuck in a traffic jam.  After about an hour and a half of idle sitting, my car died and the battery appeared to be dead.  I just had the alternator changed last year and when that was dying my battery light popped on, but that didn't happen this time.  When I got the car back home, I just jumped it and it started fine.  What could be the problem?

Answer: You may or may not be having a problem with your car.  From what you have described, you may have just drained your battery down.  Think of your battery as a bank account with a limited amount of money in it.  As you drive your car at highway speeds, you are putting money into the bank (charging the battery).  As your car sits and idles with your window defroster, stereo and headlights on, you are withdrawing money from the bank.  Eventually you will run out of money and the car will die.  The battery may be weak in your car or it may be not have sufficient capacity.  The more expensive batteries with higher amp ratings normally have “more money in the bank.”

Question:  1984 Mercury Topaz.  The cooling fan will not stop running.  I already replaced the temperature sensor but it did not fix the problem.  I have read that for air-conditioned cars, there is a fan controller but I do not know where to find it or what it looks like.  Another problem is the blower fan; it will not blow any air.  I already tested the fan, it runs in another car so it works, and I do not know what else can be wrong with it because the fuses are fine, and all the connections are well plugged.

Answer: First off, the fan control is located behind the glove box.  It is approximately 3 inches by 4 inches and black in color.  Secondly, the blower fan problem is probably a faulty fan switch or the resister block for the blower motor.

Question:  1989 Mercury Topaz  mileage: 78,000. What is involved in the repair of the starter relay?  The car won't start & it was mentioned that it might be the relay.

Answer: We would recommend that you replace the faulty starter relay.  They are a non-serviceable part.

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