My 1991 Escort manual transmission is leaking. I need to add fluid. Is there any way to add fluid except to pull the speedometer sending unit. That's the only thing I can see on the top of the tranny I can open.

that's how ya' do it...the speedo gear acts as your "dipstick" to see if you have enough fluid.

sounds like you need to do more than add fluid. Track down that leak and get it fixed...