'93 Explorer rough idle {possible dead cylinder?} Help!

[Chad79]

'93 Explorer 2WD Auto

Hello everyone. Hoping to find some answers here. Bought the truck and found that I was having to top off the transmission fluid about every 2 weeks. I don't know where the fluid is going. I don't see any major leaks, ect. I accepted this as part of an older vehicle and went on about it.

A few weeks ago, the engine started missing out and idling very rough. Thought perhaps the plugs were shot and took it in for a tune-up. Mechanic informed me that my #2 cylinder had a burned out exhaust valve, and was getting 0 compression. With the mileage on the vehicle, and the cost associated w/ the repair, he recommending not repairing it considering this is my "secondary" vehicle.

As for how the transmission plays into this......I was thinking that I remember hearing about modulator valves in transmissions going bad and it sends transmission fluid up into the engine {via a vacuum line} sometimes fouling out spark plugs. Does anyone have any experience of this nature?

As far as troubleshooting goes, there's a nipple with several vacuum lines going into the intake. Of these vacuum lines one appears to go to the cruise control, another to the master cylinder, one I can't see where it goes, a smaller line that appears to go to the transmission. And finally there is a small rubber line (approx 2.5 inches long) that isn't going to anything. When the engine is running, a loud vacuum sound is coming from the short 2.5 inch line. I pulled the smaller line {that appeared to be from the transmission} and revved the engine a few times and found some small amounts of transmission fluid coming off the hose.

Hopefully this is enough informationi to get some ideas flowing. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

[Chad79]

Thanks for the eager responses. Fixed it.