Help me please. my explorer is dying.

[flyguy]

Help! On my way home today my check engine light went off.. I started running pretty rough and black was coming from my tailpipe... Now I looked where I parked and there is some black...sorta dark greenish goo... Suggestions?

Nick

 

[flyguy]

upon inspection I dont see anything terribly wrong (not that I would know) however On the side of the transmission pan there is some sort of shield that looks like it has been torn halfway off.. and there are two thingahmajigs attached to the pan with a hose attached to it... there appears to be some sort of leak from that area.... however.. would this cause black smoke??? Hmmm..

Nick

 

[fresh]

Sorry to hear about your exploder! I would have to say that the black smoke means that you are running rich. Do a search on O2 sensors, and fuel pressure regulators, This has been many a subject of many messages.
The shield you are reffering to is a heat shield.Its purpose is to block some of the heat from the converter from the transmission. try to work it back up into place.
As for the oil on the heat shield and trans, Is it trans fluid or is it engine oil??? If you can determine that it will be easier to help. But the guess I have on that is its probably engine oil, which could be running down the back of the engine from the valve covers, which would mean it is time to replace the valve cover gaskets.

Hope this helps,
Fresh
"The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes"

 

[flyguy]

Damn... all at the same time though? Hmph. I would go with oil... but I could swear its coming from the trans. pan. Its really thick. Well. Ill give it a shot. I really hate to take it in to a mechanic. Thats no fun at all.

Nick

 

[Goober]

'Darkish green goo', sounds odd. Pondering this, I can only think of a combination of oil/anitfreeze? Black smoke usually means too much gas being pumped through the motor. If you can, get a small powerful flashlight and look for the topmost place the leak is coming from. If you cannot tell, clean with 409/simple green and (if it will start) run for a couple minutes and see if you can see anything. Also, check you dipsticks/radiator to see if any fluid levels have fallen/raised, this may help pinpoint the troubled area. Good luck!