Transmission oil gets mixed in the engine

[TexasGuy]

Ok, I don't know ALL the details, my pa from NY called and asked me to post it where people might help.

He has '94 or '93 at 100K miles. His problem is that in transmission oil levels get lower and he has constantly to put in some more of transmission lube. However, the oil in the engine gets red color. There are no leaks under the car.

Any one has any ideas?

Thanks.

[Mines69Olds]

I think the only way that the trans fluid could reach the oil would be mulitple problems. It would have to go in a bad radiator and get mixed with antifreeze and then go to a bad head gasket or cracked block. Ask you dad to check his coolant and see if it is fine. Get back to me with some of these details.

[tlbrewer]

I had a plenum in the tranny go bad on mine and the vacuum line was sucking fluid into the engine. I think they blew the plenum or gasket when I had the tranny fluid changed at one of those quickie oil change places. Sorry I am not more specific.

[way2old]

Have him look at the transmission modulator valve if equipped. It is hidden and hard to get to.

[Mines69Olds]

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help I'm not really and explorer guy but at least i try.

[TexasGuy]

I have talked to my father and he says that vacum line sucking trans. oil is very possible. He says that once he did find red oil in one of the tubes and was puzzled, now he recalled it once I read all the replies to him. He also has at time a micro explosion when he tries to start the car after it would stand for several days. There would be a lot of blue smoke presenting some oil mixed with gas.

Anyone can explain how that possible and how much would it cost to repair?

Thanks.

[way2old]

Originally Posted by Mines69Olds

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help I'm not really and explorer guy but at least i try.

Your reply was appreciated and really close to the mark. I just added a name to the part.

[Mines69Olds]

Well if trans fluid is getting in through the modulator valve into the oil something is bound to go wrong. When you fix the modulator change the oil and filter, then do it again after about 100 miles just to get all the trans fluid out. Hopefully the damage will be minimal. Get back to us on the results.

[TexasGuy]

Anyone can tell me where the vacum modulator valve is, does one need to take the transmission off?

Anyone has a ballpark idea on the cost of this repair by a repair shop?

Thanks.

[way2old]

Vacuum modulator is hidden by the front of trans on the passenger side. It is near the bottom of transmission and will have a vacuum line going to it. It should be the only vacuum line going to trans. It is hard to see. It is hidden behind a little heat shield. As far as price, depends on labor rates in the area. We are a govt. facility and do not charge labor, so I can't be of much help there.

[TexasGuy]

I have asked on another forum about labor fee, someone quoted $80 for labor at his shop, another one said it is a bi*ch to get to the valve and it is $200 minimum...

[DCHomeBrew]

Originally Posted by way2old

I have asked on another forum about labor fee, someone quoted $80 for labor at his shop, another one said it is a bi*ch to get to the valve and it is $200 minimum...

Find someone who _knows_ ford/explorer trannies, someone who works on transmissions and knows what they are doing... _Most_ new cars modulator valves are internal, not external (like the turbo 350 that just unscrews).

I wouldn't trust a repair shop that does basic car maint with a transmission, not with all the computer controls in them now.

[way2old]

Hey DCHomeBrew, This trans does have the modulator externally mounted. It is hard to get to, but it is outside the trans.