89 Ranger 2.9 V6 w/ A4LD Losing ATF & Blue Smoke from Tailpipe

[Vaximily]

Closely related to this thread, but wanted a clear space for this individual issue as they may be two separate problems... http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162872


Basic problem, transmission is slipping and seems to be dumping ATF (dipstick is virtually dry). I'm not really sure where to start on that piece as my knowledge of transmissions is basically nothing, but here's what I do know, and pieces that may be helpful in troubleshoot.

I've tried to label the images best I can. I know these are vacuum lines, but I don't know what any of them are for and they don't seem to appear on the vacuum diagrams I've found online and under the hood of the truck.

What I'm wondering is if the ATF leak could be related to the blue smoke issue I was having, which appears to have improved since replacing PCV Valve (the transmission slipping issue does not appear to have improved).

What I observed during blue smoke incident:

Picture 1:
1A - this was initially disconnected when I got the truck. The guy at the oil lube plugged it in, it could potentially be wrong though? I discovered it was full of oil after disconnecting while troubleshooting blue smoke. That issue seems to be resolved since replacing PCV Valve. Disconnecting it makes the engine rev up... reconnecting it slows things down and makes the engine much quieter.

1B - Other end of 1A

2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, all vacuum hoses that I assume are connected correctly as they were when I got the truck. Would be nice to know what the heck they're for, though.


Picture 2: Underside of Picture 1, just for another angle.


Picture 3:
1B - This was also full of oil (obviously) during blue smoke incident (haven't checked it again but 1A seems clear now...)

7A & 7B - Also full of oil during blue smoke incident.

7C - What the heck is this thing? It only has one connection line, didn't appear to be able to be opened up...

6A runs down to the passenger side behind the air box, as shown in picture 4.


Picture 4:
6B - runs from 6A in Picture 3, into 8A which is just a bunch of wires and lines that appear to be wrapped in electrical tape - I have no idea where 6B terminates or where it would be bringing oil from all the way back to 1A?

9A - Another vacuum line that was left unplugged when I got the truck, plugged in by oil lube guy.

10A - A line (presumably vacuum although I couldn't feel any suction) that I just found yesterday and plugged in... could be wrong?

 

[Vaximily]

While I'm at it, what type of transmission fluid should i be using? The same ATF Type 'F' that goes in the Power Steering, or something else?

1989 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9L V6 w/ A4LD 4-Speed Automatic Transmission

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[Big Jim M]

The other end of them lines is where to look. Look at the tranny to see if there is a vac line down there. Then pull whatever you find and look for fluid there.
Big Jim

 

[enjr44]

I posted an answer (post 14) in the thread you referenced. My bet, you have the same problem.

 

[Vaximily]

It was the modulator valve! $30 part (make sure you get the non-color coded one for 4x4, the blue color coded one is for the 2wd). Took about an hour total because of the difficulty getting my hand and a socket wrench up there between the exhaust shield and ATF pan. Added about 4-5 quarts of ATF, so it had burned off a lot, hence all the blue smoke and oil in the vacuum lines.

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