WS Fiesta gearbox oil

[Franco Cozzo]

My WS Fiesta is becoming a pain in the *** to select reverse in, it wont engage easily unless you force it in hard, if you try to normally select reverse with your foot on the clutch it doesn't go all the way in.

I had it up on the hoist the other day but there is no drain plug?

Has anyone managed to successfully change the oil in the trans?

[zabatron]

Ws Fiesta manual gearbox is a Getrag-Ford IB5 gearbox.You are correct in saying it has no drain plug as it is supposed to be"Filled for life"(According to Ford anyway).You can easily drain most of the fluid by removing the selector interlock,which is the silver hex head bolt directly below the black allen key level checking bolt.Ensure the gear selector is in neutral position before removing or installing the selector interlock,and apply suitable sealer to the thread when re-installing it(tightening torque is 25nm).
Try selecting 3rd gear before selecting reverse,as this lines up the gearbox mainshaft and may make selecting reverse easier.Also check that clutch/brake fluid level is is not low.