One for my neighbour.....

[slim_boy_fat]

I know there are a few mechanics/garage chaps on here, so hoping i can get a solution/answer.

Chap next door has a MY 08/09 Ford Fiesta petrol 1.4 (?) and has been having trouble with the gear change. When cold, it's fine with smooth changes on short/local journeys. But, once she gets up to 'normal' operating temps on a longer run, he reports that the changes get very stiff and selecting gears can be much more difficult. He's removed the lower plastic covers where the cables end and lubricated by spraying WD etc everywhere but that hasn't really made much difference. Also, up top at the gear lever end.

I've done a bit of Googling on his behalf [no internet] and from what I can find it seems to be a problem with this model? Other than replacing the selector cables, is there anything that can be done? He has no garage so it's "lie on your back on the drive in the wind and rain"......

 

[grim_d]

I had the same problem on my ST which eventually became permanent. I know the boxes on the ST and the 1.6 zetec s are very similar but not sure about the 1.4, worth investigating?

On the ST there's a bush on the selector weight where it pivots, some are nylon some are bronze(?)

If it's nylon it's probably swollen, perhaps the steel pivot has corroded and swollen and a bit of heat from running just tightens it up too much.

I removed mine, gave the pivot a good sanding, gave the bush a good clean and greasing and reassembled, it's like a completely different box now.

Here's a picture of it from an eBay ad for the 1.4 gearbox. Looks pretty similar.



Here's a decent video showing it.

 

[KaneH]

Duff oil? If it worsens as the temperature increases it sounds like it may be the oil beginning to break down, possibly due to overheating. I’d change the oil in the box and see if that helps matters.

 

[anto44]

I've seen this a few times on fords, check the part grim d has shown above. They sieze up and eventually the end will snap off the cable from trying to move the siezed linkage.

 

[Farside]

I had the same problem on my FWD Transit, but a spillage of biodiesel onto the shaft / linkage fixed it with no dismantling.
Purely fortuitously, it had been getting stiffer for ages, but on changing the fuel filter the abovementioned happened, and the problem went away.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@grim_d Cheers grim, I'll let him see that.

 

[grim_d]

You can quickly check by removing the linkages then moving the weight by hand, if it's anything other than buttery smooth it's probably worth some investigation.

It's a very common ford/fiesta problem but thankfully it's a minor fix.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Thanks lads, appreciated as always.

I sat him down and let him watch that video, which he did without a word. He then said he'll get someone to do the job.
At least we know there's nothing wrong with the ' box....

And that, folks, is how garages get work. Had it been mine I'd have had a go, but not when it's his.

 

[grim_d]

They will probably swap the box and charge him £400.

 

[pondy]

Few pictures of the offending parts on a box I was repairing this morning

 

[slim_boy_fat]

They will probably swap the box and charge him £400.

Nah, we're nae that daft up here

 

[steviec_lj]

Nah, we're nae that daft up here

Really? I thought you “northern” lot called this summer.. ?

 

[bigegg]

Really? I thought you “northern” lot called this summer.. ?

View attachment 164822

that *is* summer: it's not frozen.

 

[mrsbruce]

I feel I must defend the Scottish climate.

This summer, it was so hot, it was a common site to see visiting soft southern ‘bartenders’ unbuttoning the top two buttons of their duffelcoats.

 

[gaz1]

thought it was going to be cold up there so packed for it but it wasnt

though i havent tried further up yet

 

[Migmac]

Timely thread. My daughter who was looking for a Polo found a 59 plate 1.6 zetec Fiesta which can suffer this problem. It’s ok at the moment but who knows what’s around the next bend.