wwwired

i have a 1997 mercury cougar with 36 k miles - starts hard then bogs out like too rich or lean gas / oxygen mixture ....is this the oxygen sensor ? or mass air flow device ...any help ? otherwise the car is great ...

 

Cronicus

the oxygen sensor is almost ignored upon startup, until the water tempeture reaches said amount. Its gona be sumthing stupid on a car that new, like a gummie injector or sumthing. Many will probably need a more detailed explanation of what happens before any true diagnoses can be made
and last welcome to the forum

o ya being that the car will probably run slightly rich upoun startup, if the ignition system is not in "decent shape" it may have trouble burning up the fuel. The Hard starting, cold starting? Or is it a constant and the car dont run?

__________________

DRU842

Are you getting any indictaions via the Engine Check light & being able to read any related codes?

__________________
1997 Alpine Green Probe, 18mm Swaybar, Custom Yellow & Black Italian Leather Interior, CD Stacker, Yellow Wiper Blades, Ford Australia 75th Anniversary Sticker & Badge, PRD Wires & Sills
2008 Blue Ambition Mondeo XR5, Bluetooth for work

wwwired

It was a diode in the Mass Air Intake - took it out had it cleaned and put it back in ... all check engine lights are off now and the car seems to be running smoothly. I hope this helps anyone else with the same problems. I think the engine is still trying to recalibrate itself. I've heard it takes as many as 30 starts to be fully recalibrated. I noticed a change when it got up to running tempature yesterday. Now all I need is new shocks and struts and some back brakes - otherwise its right as rain... Thanks for all your input.

Hubbes

I just wanna share my same problem and cause in hard start then bogs out like too rich or lean gas... I also thought it was my Oldsmobile oxygen sensor, I suspected that it is already worn out... I'm about to replace it when a friend of mine told me to the mass air intake and found also the dirty diode... I was so thankful to my friend because he save me not to spending some bucks on the sensor... By the way, good to hear that you found your problem and had it repaired...