2001 Mercury Cougar

[Susieq]

My son has a 2001 Mercury Cougar with a v6 and manual transmission.

It is sitting at a shop because the clutch was not working. They replaced the clutch master cylinder. The metal hose that attaches to the master cylinder leaks. The shop says they can't find a replacement hose anywhere.

Is there a way to substitute something for that hose? It's hard to believe a 12 year old car would have a non replaceable part.

Any help would be appreciated.

[motley man]

Hard to believe that they can't find one! But they can make one, can be made with tubing and flaring tool. That is not that old of a car, and part store should be able to get them. Shop doesn't sound very good!

[Macgyver55]

Although finding a pre-bent factory style line may be difficult, I'm surprised that a reputable shop would not simply use bulk brake tubing of the same size, bend it and flare the proper fittings on to complete a safe and solid repair. Unless the car is using some type of special line, (that I havent seen) I see no reason they shouldn't be able to make one on sight.

[Scott K]

Or go used. Call some local salvage yards

[Jeremy airjer W]

I think the problem is that the fitting is not threaded into the master, it is held in with a clip. This would require a specific shape and o-ring in order to work or seal properly.

You can try calling ford/mercury to see if they can find one using a parts locator. We have found many discontinued parts this way.

The other option is to see if you can locate a used one at a salvage yard.

[Macgyver55]

Depending on where it is rusted it could still possibly be repaired with similar sized line and a union that retains/reuses the original slip in fitting. I've also run into clutch slaves that have the line set as part of the kit.

[Scott K]

I show that it is the same listing from 99-02, as long as it is a 2.5, the 2.0 is different. I checked, and no one in the nation lists one. It is a 2 piece, and the part numbers are XS8Z-7A512-AA, and XS8Z-7A512-BC.

I looked, and there are several salvage yards that have 99-02 cougars, with a 2.5 and a manual tranny. I am sure one could be had fairly cheap.

[Susieq]

Scott K,

Are there any near you that you know of? My son and the car are in St. Peter, MN. I found one in Florida but it would be nice to find one closer to home.

[Scott K]

There was 2 in Wisconsin, and 2 in Iowa with a 2.5. I just searched clutch master cylinders.

[Susieq]

Thanks Scott!!! I will let my son know!

[Scott K]

If he needs help, let me know!

[Susieq]

Scott,

Do you work on cars? My son works in Belle Plaine and lives in St. Peter. Between him and my daughter (who also lives in St. Peter) it seems like there is always a car that needs fixing.

Actually my daughter's car died today. It's a 2002 Buick Century. When she turned the key it would do nothing. Some days it would do nothing then when she tried again it would turn over but not start. Then she would try it a third time and it would start. Today she drove it to work and when she tried to start it, it did nothing.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Sounds like a bad starter. If she turns off the radio and the heat and listens carefully she should hear a single click when she turns the key to the crank position. If this is the case than the solenoid in the starter is bad.

[Susieq]

Thank you, Jeremy!! I will ask her to do what you said and see what happens.

[Susieq]

UPDATE: The problem with my daughter's car was the starter! Got it fixed and she is now a happy camper!!