Fiesta box

[Bren]

Our fiesta has always had a gearbox that was a bit noisy - when the clutch was pressed it would go quiet, however on the move you don't really notice - only when the car is stationary and in neutral do you notice a whining sound.

 

My sister has a W reg model, slightly older than ours, that is also noisy but to a lesser degree.

 

The haynes BOL does not show where the filler plug is on the box so I can check the fluid level - I was thinking of maybe adding some stuff ( lucas etc) to see if it made any difference, however I am aware that the oil is fully synthetic so it might not take kindly to an additive.

 

Any body topped one of these boxes up before?

[Minimad5]

Is it the clutch release bearing ?
I only suggest this, as when you press the clutch it goes quite.

[skattrd]

Agree on the release bearing, my Daihatsu rally car used to have the same symptoms, and it was the release bearing.

[Bren]

I had initially thought it was the clutch until somebody told me that it was a bearing at fault, and not the clutch, apparently it is a common ailment with this box.

[Minimad5]

I had initially thought it was the clutch until somebody told me that it was a bearing at fault, and not the clutch, apparently it is a common ailment with this box.

^ This bearing being 'Release bearing ?'

[ruffgeezer]

On the zetec engined fiestas, it's almost always the clutch release bearing.

[Bren]

I was told input shaft bearing.

[Minimad5]

That would just 'hum' or give you increasingly higher pitched tones the faster you drive (kind of Weering noise)
Feel free to tell me to FRO as I R WRONG.

[sierraman]

It will be the release bearing. Mine does the same, its not a big problem unless its really intrusive. I'd be inclined to leave well alone unless the action of the clutch is affected.

[meggersdog]

The filler plug faces the front of the car between the gearbox mounting bracket and the reverse light switch.