Place a wrench on the pulley that pulls the belt tight. Its not the A/c, alternater, water pump, or fan but the other one. This should make the belt loose then pull it off. Replace with a new belt. Ensure that the belt is in the correct sequence as it was before.
On a 1997 Mercury Cougar : The engine oil dipstick is on the drivers side of the engine ( for the 3.8 liter V6 and the 4.6 liter V8 )
I'm assuming it is the same as the ( 1996 ) Mercury Cougar 4.6 liter V8 : With engine oil filter change : ( 5.0 U.S. quarts should put you almost to the full mark )
According to my Chilton's Auto Repair Manual : For the 3.8 liter V6 engine in a 1991 Mercury Cougar : With engine oil filter change : ( 5.0 US. quarts )
The 3.8 liter V6 engine in a 1991 Mercury Cougar has a timing CHAIN
Is this a trick question , because there wasn't a 1998 model year for the Mercury Cougar The 1997 Mercury Cougar , with the 3.8 liter V6 engine , has a ( 18.0 US. gallon tank The 1999 Mercury Cougar , with the 2.5 liter V6 engine , has a ( 15.4 US. gallon tank )
The Owner Guide for the 1999 Mercury Cougar shows ( 5.8 quarts with filter change ) for the 2.5 liter V6 engine
A 2002 Mercury Cougar 2.5 liter plug wire diagram can be purchased from your local Mercury Cougar. It can also be found at most auto parts stores.
According to the 2000 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : The 2.5 liter V6 engine takes ( 5.5 liters of 5W-30 engine oil )
The 2.5 liter " Duratec " V6 engine used in a 1999 Mercury Cougar uses ( 2 ) timing CHAINS , both located at the front of the engine ( 1 chain to each cylinder head )
5 qts
one
On a 2001 Mercury Cougar , 2.5 liter V6 engine : firewall 1-----2-----3 4-----5-----6 front of vehicle > driver