ModerateAffected: 2002-200850,000–100,000 miles

Ford Fiesta Mk6 1.25 82bhp — Water Ingress into Spark Plug Wells

The core plugs (freeze plugs) between the spark plugs rust, leaking coolant into the spark plug wells.

Severity

Moderate

DIY Difficulty

Moderate

Est. Cost

£100–£200

OBD Codes

None

Component Diagram

Cooling

Typical layout and location for the Cooling assembly.

Reference Illustration

Symptoms

Misfire
Spark plugs submerged in rusty water
Coolant loss

Root Cause

Steel core plugs rust through. Often exacerbated by mechanics power-washing the engine bay.

How To Fix

Extract rusted core plugs and tap in new brass core plugs. Clean out spark plug wells. Cost: £100-200

Estimated Repair Costs

Repair Option	Est. Cost (GBP)
DIY (parts only)	£40–£80
Independent Garage	£100–£200
Main Dealership	£160–£320

Other Faults on This Variant

Front Wheel Bearing Failure

Moderate

2008-201260,000–100,000 miles£120–£250

Front wheel bearing wear is extremely common on the Mk6 Fiesta. Most examples will need at least one bearing replaced between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

Power Steering Pump Failure

Moderate

2008-201270,000–130,000 miles£180–£380

The hydraulic power steering pump on the Mk6 Fiesta fails with age and mileage, making the steering very heavy — especially at low speeds and when parking.

Ignition Coil Pack Failure

Moderate

2002-200840,000–90,000 miles£80–£120

The single coil pack block fails, causing a 2-cylinder misfire.

Disclaimer: Repair cost estimates are indicative and based on community data. Always get a quote from a qualified mechanic before proceeding with any repair.