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Question:  1997 Mercury Tracer Mileage: 82,000. My car is in the shop now and the mechanics are stumped  The car was idling at 3/4 rpm when you start it up and as you drive, it would be ok and then rev up. It would stall at a stop. I would have to press hard on the brake to stop and it would rev and push my foot. Well they changed my EGR valve, a complete tune up; they said some sensors were out. So they fixed that and the car still does it. They put in a new computer, still doing it. They checked the mass air sensor, still doing it. They said they just don't know; they are looking into maybe a faulty wire. I am getting so stressed and so are they.

 Answer:    If the computer has not been scanned for fault codes, this should be done first.  There may be a faulty idle air control motor and/or oxygen sensors. 

Question: 1989 Mercury Tracer Mileage: 132,000. I towed my car to a mechanic because it wouldn't start when I was leaving work one day. He said that it needed a $300 tune-up. I thought that was high so I had another mechanic tow it and look at it. He said that he cleaned the fuel line and changed the spark plugs because they were "fouled." When I went to pick it up, they said that it smelled like fuel when they tried to start it and the plugs were "fouled" again. I haven't had my car in 2 weeks please tell me what they should be looking at. Thank you.

Answer: A faulty fuel pressure regulator would be our first guess. Next would be some leaky fuel injectors.

Question:  1994 Mercury Tracer  mileage: 70,000.  The third cylinder is not firing, I replaced the spark plugs, and the third cylinder did not fire.  I disconnected each spark plug wire one at a time with the engine running and touched the engine frame to see if the spark plug wires were giving off spark, The third wire did not give off a spark, so I replaced the spark plug wires, and still the third spark plug wire does not give a spark.  My car has a distrributorless ignition system.  How can I fix the Problem?  Thank you for your help.

Answer:  If all of the spark plug wires have been replaced, then the coil for the third cylinder should be replaced.

Question:  1996 Mercury Tracer mileage: 135,000.  Oh you 2 are ANGELS for offering this service!!! I'm about ready to shoot my car.   It all started with a simple occasional sputter at low speeds.  Right away, we had it serviced- changed oil, oil filter, air filter, and PCV valve.  This was to no avail.  Then it turned to sputtering up to about 40 mph and then the occasional chug while driving.  I thought I had gotten bad gas or sucked the crap up off the bottom of the gas tank.  Soooo, I had the fuel filter replaced and the fuel injection system cleaned.  Things just got worse.  I was told to replace the O2 sensor and did but the problem simply progressed.  Now the car chugs and sputters all the way to 80 mph.  When I accelerate from a stop, it is as if the car isn't receiving fuel at all- even if I floor it.  After creeping through an intersection  (or about 10 seconds) I get this sudden burst of power as if it's saying, "Ah hah!  This is where the food has been hiding!  Now I'm going to eat it all!”  I considered the spark plugs briefly but they are those copper Rapid Fire ones and I'm pretty sure I have a while before they need replacement.  I don't know what else to do.  This problem only presents itself when my foot is on the accelerator.  My gas mileage has decreased by 7-10 mpg.  Could it be the fuel pump?  I know there's a crack along my muffler pipe or exhaust pipe (is thingamajiggy a technical enough term? ;) could the problem stem from this?  PLEASE do let me know.  Thanks so very much!

Answer:  Your problem may be caused by a failing fuel pump.  We doubt seriously that the “muffler pipe” or “exhaust pipe” or “thingamajiggy” is causing your problem.  One thing to try is scanning the computer for fault codes.  Regarding your spark plug issue, we have found the best practice is to use the spark plugs brand that was originally installed in your car.

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Question:  1995 Mercury Tracer  mileage: 118,000.  Engine running on three cylinders.  When I remove, plugs the no. 3 spark plug end was burned off.  This happened twice in about 300 miles. 

Answer:    Check the fuel injector for the # 3 cylinder; it may be partially plugged causing a very lean mixture in that cylinder.  A lean mixture will burn extremely hot burning the end off the spark plug.

Question:  1988 Mercury Tracer  mileage: 102,071.  Great Webpage!  How do I replace the front wheel bearing of my 1988 Mercury Tracer?  I want to know the steps so I can do it myself.  My main question is: How can I take the rotor out and the bearings, the seats and the seal?

Answer:  A Mitchell or Chilton auto repair manual will have diagrams showing wheel-bearing replacement.  The manuals also give step-by-step instructions.

Question:  1995 Mercury Tracer  mileage: 120,000.  My Tracer runs good in the day but when my headlights are on it will not shift. Could this be a need for new spark plugs?

Answer:     Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.  Also, inspect the wiring for damage. 

Question:  I have a 1993 Mercury Tracer Mileage: 142,000 Recently I had the head gasket replace and valves redone. The guys at the shop took about 4 weeks to do the repairs. I've had my car about two weeks now and the A/C compressor area started making a loud noise. The A/C was working then stopped when the noise started. I looked at the compressor and I think (hope) it may be the clutch. It has a little grease leaking in the front on the clutch. The guy at the shop is saying the grease is from the compressor. I really don't know. In addition, if I replace the clutch will I need to decompress the system or is the clutch a separate piece? Also, Is there any chance the guys at the shop could have done something to cause this? I've found many many screws missing on my car. I would prefer to do the work myself. Thank you for your site.

Answer:  Your problem is unfortunately, not the compressor clutch. It sounds like a bearing failure, which would cause the seal to break down thereby leaking oil onto the clutch. The compressor must be replaced. This requires special equipment to retrieve the Freon.

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