1987 Mercury Cougar Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1987 Mercury Cougar narrows the range to two engines and two trims: the naturally aspirated 3.8L OHV V6 of 232 cubic inches and the naturally aspirated 5.0L OHV V8 of 302, in a two-door sedan badged LS or XR-7. With a V6 and a V8 sharing one body, the manual gives fuel, ignition, cooling and emissions specifications per engine and then treats brake, steering, suspension, climate and body electrical work as a single job that applies to every car in the range.

Engines covered

• 3.8L V6 (232 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 5.0L V8 (302 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 2-door sedan

Trims covered

• LS
• XR-7

Known issues on the 1987 Cougar. One recall is recorded federally, on a spring lock fuel line coupling that may not have latched fully. Pressure in the line, vibration and engine movement can pull the joint apart, and fuel escaping near a hot surface is a fire risk. Complaints number 39, with the electrical system at 11 and seat belts close behind at 10, then the service brakes at 5. Fuel line coupling service, harness routing and circuit testing, belt and retractor replacement and brake hydraulic diagnosis are all set out in this manual.