I own a 1997 Mercury Tracer with 272,000 miles on it. I would like to see it make 300k miles. Over the past 2 months I have noticed three things:
1. When I'm driving, the engine sounds louder and seems rougher
2. When I'm driving (not at idle), RPMs are about 300-400 more than normal. This is driving at 70-80 mph. They used to be at about 2600-2700 going 75mph, but now it's more like 3000 RPM at that same speed.
3. My gas mileage has dropped about 4 mpg and this is already taking into account the winter months affecting the mileage.
So last night, when the timing belt broke (luckily in my driveway), I thought fixing that would solve my problems. I also changed the spark plugs and wires, and flushed the radiator. Well, it's still driving at high RPMs. I'm afraid it's the transmission. Could it be anything else? The check engine light is not on. The mechanic didn't have any other advice. It's not as loud as before b/c I guess there was a hole in the exhaust right below my seat which he patched. But the RPM thing worries me. I won't know my new gas mileage until I drive it some more and calculate it.
Any thoughts? If it is the transmission, how long can I drive it like this before it blows?
Thanks!
1. When I'm driving, the engine sounds louder and seems rougher
2. When I'm driving (not at idle), RPMs are about 300-400 more than normal. This is driving at 70-80 mph. They used to be at about 2600-2700 going 75mph, but now it's more like 3000 RPM at that same speed.
3. My gas mileage has dropped about 4 mpg and this is already taking into account the winter months affecting the mileage.
So last night, when the timing belt broke (luckily in my driveway), I thought fixing that would solve my problems. I also changed the spark plugs and wires, and flushed the radiator. Well, it's still driving at high RPMs. I'm afraid it's the transmission. Could it be anything else? The check engine light is not on. The mechanic didn't have any other advice. It's not as loud as before b/c I guess there was a hole in the exhaust right below my seat which he patched. But the RPM thing worries me. I won't know my new gas mileage until I drive it some more and calculate it.
Any thoughts? If it is the transmission, how long can I drive it like this before it blows?
Thanks!