Morris Minor Owners Club

Need a little help please folks.

I have a new car! Well, an old second hand Escort, at least. Everything is in good order, but I can't find out how to put oil in it - sorry, I'm such a numpty with these things! Suffice to say, I will be getting a Haynes manual in the future, but I was trying to find the oil filler cap earlier and can't see where it is. Could anyone tell me please? Or point me to a site that has nice pictures so I can work through it myself?

Also, as it's a 1990 Escort (1.3 Bonus 3 door hatchback), with over 100K on the clock, what sort of oil should I be using? I want to put the right stuff in.

Any other problems that these cars are prone to, would also be useful to know as well. The underfloor's okay in this one, it has a full MOT until September, and the only rust is a tiny bit over the rear wheel arches which I'm told isn't structural. Overall, it looks like a nice car to me, the engine seems to run okay (when I manage to figure out what revs it needs and stop overdoing it!) and although a bit tatty on the interior trim, it's nothing I can't live with.

I also seem to be having trouble opening the boot - none of the keys I got seem to work in the lock!

Fords tend to rust there. 1990 so thats an Mk3? The really square blocky one?

Again, in my experiences bootlocks on fords are prone to Failure, so Might be worthg trying to track a replacement lock down.

Do you know which type of engine is fitted? if its the old HCS lump then normally the oil filler is on the rocker cover but might not be visible due to air filter housings etc?

Get onto some ford forums and have a root about, you'll definatly get answers

Have had a few escorts (Mk2 ,couple of mk 4's )

If it's the mK3 1.3 probably be alright with standard oil ie cheap (branded) multigrade. The later 16v zetecs need semi synthetic but this doesn't need to cost a fortune either just find a good local motor factors. Not sure what grade oil (prob 15w/40ishor 20/50)but should find it online somewhere.

Ford locks are notorious for going wrong but you could also have a scrappy bootlid on there. might be worth trying to get a new/scrap lock and key.

Keep an eye on the rear lights cos the Ford 'disco' effect is quite common too. Normally easy to fix by cleaning up the earthing point or making a new one.

The Fiesta *should* have 15w40 thats the HCS 1.3 lump but seems to be better on 20w50

and I've suffered from the disco effect too!

Thanks guys, I did find the oil filler cap - it was on the rocker cover. Unfortunately there is something very wrong with my new car and it ran bone dry from being halfway full in two days (and no, I wasn't racing the thing!) - luckily the engine hasn't seized solid, and if it's a case of scrapping it I will be given a replacement vehicle for free. I have had the worst run of bad luck in my life since this year started - I even considered selling 'Ector because I'm so damned short of cash, even though I've statred a new job *grumble . . . redundancy . . . grumble . . . . partner out of work . . . *

If it is the HCS lump don't worry too much, fill it back up and it *should* be okay. They all burn oil but thats a heck of a lot, put a sheet of cardboard underneath and half fill the thing and check on it in the morning and see how much is on the board.

My immediate reactions check the seal around the oil filter (and yes, I know its in a pig of a place) check the sump plug is done up properly and that the rocker cover is properly secure. Should only take half an hour or so at most.

I know fester burns a hell of a lot of oil, probabally have to put a gallon or so a month in (but then I do mega miles for an old banger 20k since July)


I guess its a case of check all that and then suck it and see.

(Incidentally as I said earlier a thicker oil seems to work better)

Also make sure the oil filler is plugged in properly... I drove to London (80 miles ish) with the filler cap off and it went from full to just below empty on the dipstick

Thanks for the tips folks, I will have to get around to learning stuff about cars in the near future - the RAC rescue man seemed to think that it was the bearings going, but if it's a common problem on older Escorts then I may have escaped serious damage, btu as the car's currently at the garage, I'll have to wait and see.
I do, however, have a rather nice, comfy Peugeot van on loan at the moment, which is a very nice drive indeed (even if it is emblazoned with the garage's logos) - they had nothing else to loan me as 'Ector is still in for repairs (electrics might have been damaged from the crazy alternator).

Hm, the prognosis for the Escort isn't good, in fact it looks like I may be in another car soon - ho hum, I guess life goes on. I swear my mechanic thinks I do rallying on the sly! I've been through a fair few cars, but I guess that's what you get for being stuck on a low wage and having to buy much older vehicles, plus I know nothing about cars and really need to do something about that . . .
But at least I'll have 'Ector back next week! The M1 is going to seem a lot bigger and longer than ever before, and I'll have no Radio Two to make the journey easier *wonders if there's an old wireless in the house somewhere*

Do yourself a huge favour and find a VW Polo Mk3 or Mk4. They age well with minimal maintenance, and you cannot beat German enginnering when it comes to cars. Parts are now a lot cheaper than in the past, although the need for parts is a rare thing.

I was thinking of VW or a Japanese make like Honda, everyone I've asked has raved about both marques. I've just had some really bad luck since I got made redundant last year, hopefully it will be looking up soon, once I start getting paid again.