lift the engine
you have to raise the motor or drop the k member, or both
Gasket should be included with new oil filter
You need an oil change.
On a 1991 Mercury Cougar : The oil pump is INSIDE the oil pan ( the oil pan is bolted to the bottom of the engine )
Drain the engine oil. Remove the pan bolts. The engine may have to be unbolted from the motor mounts and lifted slightly to remove the pan. Pull the pan out, then install the new pan and gasket.
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 )
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 )
According to the 2001 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide : For the 2.0 litre four cylinder engine : ( with engine oil filter change , 4.25 litres / 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 engine oil )
According to the 2002 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide : The 2.5 liter V6 engine takes : With engine oil filter change : ( 5.5 litres / 5.8 US. quarts of 5W-20 engine oil )
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 )
6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- According to the 2000 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : The 2.5 liter V6 engine takes ( 5.5 liters of engine oil ) * the first answer is not mine , the corrected answer is , Helpfull *
5w30