Busted truck needs immediate help

[ORTrailSurvivor]

It's a 91 Explorer (I think it's an XLT, but the title & the truck emblems don't match, but pretty sure it's an XLT). The 4X4 switch has never worked (not my current problem, just added info).
I can't afford a mechanic, so I am definitely on my own with this.
Here's my problem:

The transmission started to have problems getting into drive a day or two before it died. It was acting like it was out of gas (but I thought it still had some/ enough not to die before a gas station). I kept restarting it while we were driving in hopes that I could make it to the next station, but it didn't. I heard a noise like a seal going & saw some smoke just before the end. I popped the hood & the power steering fluid cap was half off & fluid splattered on the engine (what I'm guessing the smoke was from). The power steering fluid was also the color of burnt oil.
It's been sitting for about two weeks now & the battery needs a charge now, but when it happened:
It didn't need oil or trans fluid.
It wasn't overheating.
It was obvious that pressure built up in the power steering fluid shot the cap half off & spurted out.
There was no lingering noticeable smell except a mild burnt smell, but the engine didn't seize (I turned it over for a second the next day, then immediately turned it off as not to make things worse).

I have a Chiltons guide & some tools, but I'm pretty much at a loss why the power steering fluid would act that way & why it would stop the engine in any case. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

 

[Tbars4]

..Welcome here and let's see if we can help...:scratch:

...I would say, let's get your battery fully charged and take it from there...I'm thinking your power steering is a seperate problem, but I am more concerned on how your vehicle stopped running...

...I read your other post where you said you towed your Volvo behind the X from Oregon to Chicago...Are you able to drive the Volvo right now???

 

[Willard]

Maybe if the PS pump is seizing up, it could put a lot of drag on the motor through the belt, which would explain it. Although, then it would likely make the belt slip, and consequently squeak. That's my best guess at this point....

I also wonder about the transmission. Seeing as how you were towing, and you said it was acting up. What color is the tranny fluid? Does it look or smell burnt?

 

[ORTrailSurvivor]

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP !!!
No, I can't drive the Volvo. Ironically, it was parked in the wrong spot & got towed and crushed before I even found out it was towed. It was a mistake by the towing company & I might be able to get some compensation from them at some point down the line...but as for today, it's a cube.

I'm going to check the color of the trans fluid in the morning, but I didn't remember it looking or smelling strange - although I don't remember looking at it at all. I might have just checked the level with the dipstick.

I wouldn't think that the power steering would be related at all if it weren't for the fact that it started to die followed a moment later by hearing the the sound of a seal give way followed by smoke followed by it dying (all in the span of two or three minutes) & then upon popping the hood seeing the cap half off the power steering fluid and the wet splatter of it all over the area & its burnt oil color. I don't get how they could be related or why or how it could happen like that, but there's no denying that it would be some coincidence if two completely unrelated things happened that dramatically at the same time resulting in brief puffs of smoke and a dead vehicle.

I fully expected to have it have something to do with the transmission, but that just isn't what I saw when I popped the hood. Could one cause the other? Can a loss of power steering tell the computer to stop the engine? Can a problem with the power steering pump effect the transmission or vice-versa? Could any of that cause a build up of pressure where you pour the fluid in to the extent it pops the cap & fluid shoots out?

I don't really think any of that seems rational - but I can't say that I have a rational clue as to what's wrong either.

 

[Tbars4]

...I am thinking you do have a power steering fluid problem but, I am more concerned with your engine dying and I definately do not believe the 2 are related...:scratch:

...Charge your battery and turn the key to the on position...Listen for the fuel pump to whir, and look at all your dash lights...If you had any stored codes they will probably be gone if your battery is completely dead...

..I'm really sorry to hear about the volvo and I hope your belongings weren't in it...

 

[Dopler174]

I would be P.O. about the Volvo. I'm mad about it and it's not mine or even in my state!
Listening to your story, it sounds like the power steering cap popped off while steering it with the motor off. That can creat pressure enought to pop the cap off and spew fluid. I know first hand.
As far as it not running, If it were my truck, I would charge the battery, check the fluids and see if it will run. If not, turn it off with the quickness.

 

[Willard]

Oh wait....you know what? I was thinking the power steering failed and then the truck shut off. I wasn't taking into account the truck shutting off first. If that's the case, then yea, that's normal. Mine has done it multiple times due to the pressure created. In that case, the power steering is probably fine and get the truck running first.

Not sure what else to suggest. Sounds like it could be a sensor problem. Check everything out, see what you find. Also look for stored codes indicating something that could have failed.

That really does suck about your Volvo though...I'd be taking major action against that, especially after you had to tow it all the way there, only to get it crushed.

Good luck, and I hope things work out for you.

 

[alohamonte]

+1 on the power steering

sounds like you ran out of gas. put a few gallons in it (at least 4), charge the battery, clean up the oil mess (to eliminate underhood smoke), and start it up and tell us what happens.

 

[Turdle]

Oh geez, talk about the whole world falling in around you-what a streak of bad luck.

I don't have much more to offer other than moral support.

 

[ThePhoenix]

MIGHT get compensation?!?! I would get a lawyer....

 

[Tony H]

A bit confused....was it out of gas? Did you put a few gallons in it so you can get rid of that variable?

 

[ORTrailSurvivor]

THANK YOU !!!
YEP, the power steering shot out & knocked a vacuum hose off (completely). I put some gas in it (it needed oil too) and jumped it. It started, but kept dying, was loud & the breaks were impossible. I was able to drive it to a gas station at that point though. The guy popped the hood & reached down & picked up the hose that had fallen down somewhere & put it back on & in about 30 seconds all was fine again.
THANK YOU !!!
Now I just need a new lifter, breaks, the headlights & tail lights to both work at the same time, the passenger side window to work without pulling it up & down with my hands, the door locks to work & put the driver side door panel & handle back together & it'll be like new ... ok, not quite ... but the point is that I can still drive it with all of the other issues (the breaks still stop it - just a bit squeaky).

Thanks again for all of your help.