2002 Focus 1.6 question

[Neil.D]

Dear All.

My wife and I have just bought the above car as her little run around. It was bought off an old chap called Ernie who only drove the car 2k or less a year for the past 5 years.

My questions are, firstly, should the car have 'belly pan'. Under the engine looks rather bare with water etc able to splash up inside. I am wondering if the old chap ripped it off on a curb or something.

Secondly, what do people consider to be the best fluids engine and gearbox wise as I intened to change it all as a matter of course.

The engine requires 5W 30 correct? Is semi or fully synthetic recommended? I think it takes about 4.5L.

What about the geabox oil? Any recommended grades or makes? I think that takes 2.3L.

Any help appreciated.

Neil.D

[BigMans197]

Up until about 6 weeks ago I had been driving an 02 1.6 Zetec for about 3 years, and was very happy with it. You've got yourself a good little car, especially with low mileage, mine had done nearly 90,000 miles.

Don't think there should be any floor pan under the engine bay, mine didn't have one anyway!

Yup, 5W 30 grade fully synthetic is recommended, personally I used Castrol GTX.

[Dogwatch]

Gearbox oil is SAE 75W/90, 2.3 litres.

[Zad]

Manual gearboxes are more or less filled for life aren't they? Of course it may be an auto...

I think someone on here said Ford branded oil is actually slightly cheaper than the Halfords/Mobil/whatever stuff, so it might be an idea to buy it direct from your dealer.

[Neil.D]

Thanks Big, it just looked rather open with all of the roads nastys able to flick up in there but if they are not suppose to have one then no worries. Ripping one off on a high curb was just a preconceived prejudice regarding oldies...

Thanks Dog, sounds about right.

Zad, yes the same is said for my 5 series but I dont beleive that its true. At 70k miles the stuff was black! I tend to do the gearbox oil every 2 years or 20k miles.

Many thanks.

[hugoagogo]

my 03 diesel does have a big plastic panel under the whole front of the car, maybe that's just the diesel, i don't know