Where is the filler hole on a fiesta mk6 1.4 and what grade of oil would I need. I have a slight oil leak and need to top it up.

\

Look underneath the front of the car, on the front of the gearbox you will see the reversing light switch and about 4 inches to the right of this there is a black hex headed bolt, this is the filler /level hole.

Oil is synthetic gear oil SAE 75W-90 to ford spec. WSD-M2C200-C (best you check your handbook to confirm).

Where is your leak ?

Arite thanks, did check the handbook but couldn't find anything, it's the actuator rod seal that has a slight leak.

Arite thanks, did check the handbook but couldn't find anything, it's the actuator rod seal that has a slight leak.

The Castrol grade for the Ford IB/IB5 'box is SMX-S fully synthetic, but OPIEOILS will offer other brand equivalents. However, I know that Halfords stock it, so that saves postage.

Its not the first Ford 'box to need fully synthetic oil. (early Sierra 5-speed box) Other car manufacturers also use this oil, however, so nobody is perfect, just as several firms have had terrible camshaft wear problems :-- Vauxhall early OHC motors, Ford Pinto engine series (they consulted Vauxhall), Peugeot/Citroen alloy 954cc to 1360cc (also fitted to Renault 14 as 1219cc).

Arite thanks, did check the handbook but couldn't find anything, it's the actuator rod seal that has a slight leak.

Well the only stuff halfords had was SAE75w/90 API GL -5 part synthetic. Will that stuff do?

Well the only stuff halfords had was SAE75w/90 API GL -5 part synthetic. Will that stuff do?

Our local Halfords at Inverness has the SMX-S variety of CASTROL 75w90 gear oil, which was specially changed in spec. from their SMX 75w90, to suit "difficult" 'boxes, and Ford DO specify the fully synthetic stuff. Lots of semi-synthetic oils have only a small % of the factory-produced good-stuff added, so don't bother with it. I expect Ford will sell it to you over their stores-counter, but labelled in a "ford" style "Motorcraft" bottle. I know they sell their latest spec. energy-saving 5w30 engine oil to the public, as I saw it in a Vauxhall forecourt shop last night. There is no need to avoid the "ford" label on the oil packaging, just read the fine print and you will find it will be to the full spec.

Our local Halfords at Inverness has the SMX-S variety of CASTROL 75w90 gear oil, which was specially changed in spec. from their SMX 75w90, to suit "difficult" 'boxes, and Ford DO specify the fully synthetic stuff. Lots of semi-synthetic oils have only a small % of the factory-produced good-stuff added, so don't bother with it. I expect Ford will sell it to you over their stores-counter, but labelled in a "ford" style "Motorcraft" bottle. I know they sell their latest spec. energy-saving 5w30 engine oil to the public, as I saw it in a Vauxhall forecourt shop last night. There is no need to avoid the "ford" label on the oil packaging, just read the fine print and you will find it will be to the full spec.

So is that a yes or a no?

So is that a yes or a no?

Get FULLY- synthetic stuff, even if it is Motorcraft, from the Ford dealer's spares counter. They will check it is correct for your age of 'box.

So, NO, don't accept Halfords branded semi-grade, as it could well have a trivial % of synthetic content. Other motor factors, such as Autosave, may have a known brand of FULLY synthetic 75w90 gear oil. A quick look on the opieoils website will show you the main recognised & reputable brands. That source will offer you a club-member's discount, which could offset the carriage.

Ford's Motorcraft packaged oils are bought-in from major firms, just quote your VIN number/registration, to help the storeman get the correct oil for your 'box, i.e., not the older Castrol SMX equivalent, with zero synthetic content.

Your 'box really does need the best oil.

theres smith and allan 75w/90 fully synth oil on ebay, £20.99 delivered for 5litres if thats any help?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Smith-Allan-EP-75w-90-Fully-Synthetic-Gear-Oil-5-ltr-/250606606374?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a59515826

theres smith and allan 75w/90 fully synth oil on ebay, £20.99 delivered for 5litres if thats any help?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Smith-Allan-EP-75w-90-Fully-Synthetic-Gear-Oil-5-ltr-/250606606374?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a59515826

I would advise against ANY Ebay source, even if I knew the brand, and that seller stocks Valvoline (top brand, seen advertised at F1 tracks), but not in your viscosity. (I wouldn't like to have to return goods bought thro' Ebay -- too much hassle!!)

Just 'phone the oilman at Opieoils and get his advice, -- it's free, and they are a friendly lot, and the postage may be cancelled-out by your "fordownersclub" discount, -- just quote your member number, -- its on all your postings.

They even have a special price on that Castrol SMX-S on at the moment. (their is an even better Castrol gear oil around now, but I wouldn't like to mix oils of a fully synthetic kind, -- not good practise.)

I would advise against ANY Ebay source, even if I knew the brand, and that seller stocks Valvoline (top brand, seen advertised at F1 tracks), but not in your viscosity. (I wouldn't like to have to return goods bought thro' Ebay -- too much hassle!!)

Just 'phone the oilman at Opieoils and get his advice, -- it's free, and they are a friendly lot, and the postage may be cancelled-out by your "fordownersclub" discount, -- just quote your member number, -- its on all your postings.

They even have a special price on that Castrol SMX-S on at the moment. (their is an even better Castrol gear oil around now, but I wouldn't like to mix oils of a fully synthetic kind, -- not good practise.)

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-806-mobilube-1-shc-75w-90-fully-synthetic-supreme-performance-commercial-gear-oil.aspx

Would that stuff do?

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-806-mobilube-1-shc-75w-90-fully-synthetic-supreme-performance-commercial-gear-oil.aspx

Would that stuff do?

Yes, that is the best fully-synth that Opieoils recommend for your 1.4 Flame,-- I looked it up.

Yes, that is the best fully-synth that Opieoils recommend for your 1.4 Flame,-- I looked it up.

Arite cheers lads, just ordered it and will top the 'box up. Hoping to get it fixed soon but I need the car for work so finding the time to put it to the garage is hard.

Arite cheers lads, just ordered it and will top the 'box up. Hoping to get it fixed soon but I need the car for work so finding the time to put it to the garage is hard.

how do you know how much to top it up by? IIRC there is no level plug you pull out or anything on these boxes?

how do you know how much to top it up by? IIRC there is no level plug you pull out or anything on these boxes?

Top it up till it trickles out the filler hole.

I can't get the bolt undone, anyone got any advice to get it off?

To the top

I can't get the bolt undone, anyone got any advice to get it off?

time to get a bigger bar? i would be a bit worried about breaking something though. what size is the bolt? im still not too convinced that this box can be filled up until it starts to come out the filler hole either but i might have read that in a haynes manual so who knows lol

time to get a bigger bar? i would be a bit worried about breaking something though. what size is the bolt? im still not too convinced that this box can be filled up until it starts to come out the filler hole either but i might have read that in a haynes manual so who knows lol

I'm scared I wreck the bolt or the linkage as the linkage is almost next to it. Yeah you fill it up til it trickles out the hole.

I have a nineteen year old dual geared automatic 1.4 Ford fiesta 2003 year.my gears need an oil top up but I haven't found where to fill it from yet.Is it the same place as you,be just described above?