Ok this was my wagon until I sold it about 2 years ago. I got a call from my aunt who now owns the car that it wont start. I drove down today and had a look at it. Found the problem. When you crank it the rotor is not turning in the distributor. So what I am thinking is that it is one of these possible problems:

 

1. Broken timing belt

2. Broken belt tensioner

3. Bad distributor

The Right side timing belt is still turning fine. I did not have all the tools to tear into it at the time to see if there was a problem on the left side of the engine. Car also really looks like it could use some new plugs, wires, cap and, rotor too. So would I be right in my guess about the problem?

Richard

You are indeed correct Richard. Choice number one is the correct answer to the trouble. The driver's side timing belt is broken.

+1 for Cougar

 

If the rotor isn't turning, it most likely a snapped timing belt. The timing belt drives the cam that has the gear that drives the disty. So yeah, I think that your suspicions are right.

 

Patrick