Fiesta - a weeping sump?

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Wed 17 Apr 2002 19:46
Fiesta - a weeping sump? - BigAl
When SWMBO's 1.1 Fiesta (1995, 75,000 miles) needed topping up with oil, I noticed a few drips under the sump. As I have more respect for my tarmac drive than for the car, my first act was to buy a drip tray. At first, I thought the leak may have been coming from the oilseal at the end of the crankshaft by the pulley. But on closer examination, it looks as though it's weeping through a rusted sump-pan - in fact the pan seemed so corroded that I feared I could poke my finger through and flood the drive with oil!

Have any of you guys come across this? Can the pan be replaced with the engine in situ, and how much would a pan be likely to cost?

Cheers BigAl
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Wed 17 Apr 2002 20:29
Re: Fiesta - a weeping sump? - steve paterson
I did an Escort one a few years ago, it corroded through just under the front pulley, well below the normal oil level. Don't know about a Fiesta, but on the Escort it was just a straight sump change, no need to drop the exhaust or anything like that. I think the sump and gasket came to about £110
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Wed 17 Apr 2002 22:01
Re: Fiesta - a weeping sump? - vansboy
Might even be cheaper to buy a complete scrap car for a fiver - then pay somebody to dispose of it for you after taking all the other bits off that you are likely to need.
Mark.
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Thu 18 Apr 2002 06:15
Re: Fiesta - a weeping sump? - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up Ltd.)
Not difficult to swap, you will need to drop the front section of exhaust off. Drain the oil (preferably overnight) and remove the bolts holding the sump on. While you have the opportunity change the oil pick-up pipe(or clean it) and change the timing chain and tensioner if at all noisy, both simple jobs. A tip here when replacing the sump gasket rather than trying to glue the gasket and rubber seals into position with silicone sealant or similar, I use a smear of contact adhesive like evostic to attach the gasket to the bottom of the block carefully lining up the bolt holes. Put a bead of silicone onto the sump and offer up the pan. You can then concentrate your efforts in getting the first few fiddly bolts in without it all sliding about!
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Thu 18 Apr 2002 08:27
Re: Fiesta - a weeping sump? - Ian Cook
In addition to Andrew's advice I'd also recommend paying attention to cleanliness, especially if you're going to do the job outside.

It's quite amazing how much dust blows around in the wind, and you don't want that inside the engine - it'll stick nicely to the oily wet bits of the crankshaft. Try to pick a calm day and sweep/hose the drive down first.

Ian
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Thu 18 Apr 2002 08:42
Re: Fiesta - a weeping sump? - Graham
Why buy one? There must be one abandoned localy.

Beware of a car that has been burned out though, due to the chemicals around.
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