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Question Hello, about two days ago my 1987 Mercury Cougar LS was bucking and felt like it was going to stall but it wouldn't. Later that night I went back out and it would have a hard time getting past 30mph but it would eventually after letting off the gas and giving it gas. The next day the same thing and later that night I couldn't get it past 16mph so I put it in the driveway. Now it won't keep running. It turns over though. It didn't feel like it was getting enough gas but that's not the problem. It isn't the transmission because it does the same thing in neutral. I don't think its the timing chain because the rotor is still moving under the distributor cap. Could it possibly be the ignition coil or anything that would produce these symptoms? My vocational school teacher won't help me; hopefully you can...3.8 v6 engine--all filters are new--it has oil and transmission fluid.... thanks, Rick from NJ

Reply Hi Rick, you have one of three problems. Either your exhaust is restricted, you have a fuel system malfunction, or you have retarded timing. More than likely, your exhaust is restricted as this is very common on your type of vehicle. If the exhaust is plugged, your spark plugs are probably fuel-fouled. An easy test for a restricted exhaust is to remove the oxygen sensor and install a pressure gauge. To check if it is one of the other two problems: Test fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge and check the static timing on your engine. If the exhaust is restricted it is usually due to a catalyst failure which was probably caused by a misfire or rich run condition in your engine. Angelo Silverado Auto Service