your block is cracked
Check for an air leak in your fuel line and/or bad gas. Make sure you are getting spark and your compression in each cylinder is within 10% of the others. Check to make sure the ground is good on your engine.
overheat
not vary far i recommend adding oil or getting it changed
Dry cylinder has 2 definition 1 no fuel is getting to the cylinder 2 no oil getting to it
try checking your 02 sensors
I would also like to know where the data link connector is on this so I can check for any codes
"Mercury... getting even closer to the Sun!"
NEEDS CARB REBUILD OR FUEL PUMP KIT PUT IN.
I had the same problem with a 98 contour, It was the fuel pressure regulator.
The height of the column of mercury would be lower.
the master cylinder is whats bad
Does it turn over? Is it getting fuel? Is it getting spark?