86 aerostar
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
86 aerostar
Hey, what's up? My 86 is being a pain once again. Hopefully someone knows what this part is. On the passengers side of the transmission pan, on the side there is a little round thing with a hose sticking out of it. The hose goes up to the engine somewhere. It's leaking out of that little hose down by the pan. I tried zip ties, that did not hold, I put a metal clamp on it, it still leaks. I'm afraid that the leak may be coming out of whatever that little brass looking round thing is. I'm not sure yet if it screws in or just pushes in, kinda hard to see it. But if anyone knows what that is or has had similar problems, please let me know, I'm over here getting stuck at red lights for a few seconds everytime I turn left. That is getting old quick. Thank you kindly.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
transmission vacuum modulator
diaphragm shot and leaking ATF out of tranny. engine probably loaded up with sucked in ATF also
1986 FORD AEROSTAR Modulator
AutoZone.com | Repair Info | Transmission Modulator (Automatic) - How To Instructions
watch out for the small actuator pin inside. easily lost
clean out the engine with at least one can of Berrymans B12 or Seafoam thru the hole in the throttle body plate
see sticky Ford TSB thread at beginning on engine decarbon cleaning
diaphragm shot and leaking ATF out of tranny. engine probably loaded up with sucked in ATF also
1986 FORD AEROSTAR Modulator
AutoZone.com | Repair Info | Transmission Modulator (Automatic) - How To Instructions
watch out for the small actuator pin inside. easily lost
clean out the engine with at least one can of Berrymans B12 or Seafoam thru the hole in the throttle body plate
see sticky Ford TSB thread at beginning on engine decarbon cleaning
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Hey that's interesting that you're driving the first year for the aerostar. What type of engine does it have and what kind of mileage do you get with it? I was reading the '86 4 cylinder aerostars could get almost 30 mpg!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
96 hit it on the head, that tube is not suppose to have liquid in it.
Replace your modulator (be sure not to loose the black pin that likes to come flying out when you remove it) and all will be good.
Replace your modulator (be sure not to loose the black pin that likes to come flying out when you remove it) and all will be good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
Is it early carburated Cologne V6 2.8 ore 2.9, like Taunus, Scorpio, Transit ore Sierra had in mid. 80-s?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Ok, I got this little thing out, I have the little black pin thing, so what do I have to do to test it or "rebuild" it? It doesn't look like it's gonna come apart too easily, But if I don't have to put any more money into this jalopy that would be great. It does have fluid all in it, I guess that's step one is getting that fluid out of there.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
The vacuum modulator uses engine vacuum to control the position of that little pin. The vacuum works against a diaphragm in the body of that assembly. Most likely the diaphragm has cracked, disabling the modulator, and allowing fluid to be sucked into the engine. Normally, that assembly should not have any fluid in it at all. You can test it by applying some vacuum to it and see if it holds. You really can't fix something like that, so the only thing you can do is to replace it.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
If you see fluid in the line, there are a few things you absolutely have to do:
1) Replace that modulator. It can't be fixed or rebuilt.
2) Replace the rubber tubing near the modulator and near the top of the engine. While you are at it, make sure the rest of the vacuum tubing on the manifold is in good condition. It's likely that they are ruined by the transmission fluid too.
3) Change the oil ASAP. You really don't want to drive around with transmission fluid in the crankcase.
1) Replace that modulator. It can't be fixed or rebuilt.
2) Replace the rubber tubing near the modulator and near the top of the engine. While you are at it, make sure the rest of the vacuum tubing on the manifold is in good condition. It's likely that they are ruined by the transmission fluid too.
3) Change the oil ASAP. You really don't want to drive around with transmission fluid in the crankcase.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
If you see fluid in the line, there are a few things you absolutely have to do:
1) Replace that modulator. It can't be fixed or rebuilt.
2) Replace the rubber tubing near the modulator and near the top of the engine. While you are at it, make sure the rest of the vacuum tubing on the manifold is in good condition. It's likely that they are ruined by the transmission fluid too.
3) Change the oil as ASAP. You really don't want to drive around with transmission fluid in the crankcase.
1) Replace that modulator. It can't be fixed or rebuilt.
2) Replace the rubber tubing near the modulator and near the top of the engine. While you are at it, make sure the rest of the vacuum tubing on the manifold is in good condition. It's likely that they are ruined by the transmission fluid too.
3) Change the oil as ASAP. You really don't want to drive around with transmission fluid in the crankcase.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Vacuum Modulator went bad on my Aero a few years ago and the Ford dealer had one for $9.00 ! It goes on easy and you van will run and drive better. When the diaphram breaks it sucks tranny fluid into the engine, so you have to keep adding fluid to the thing cuz it gets low a lot, the tranny wont shift as well, and it's a vacuum leak causing the engine to not run quite like it should.
Pay about $9.00 and fix all 4 problems at once. it's easy and cheap. A used one may be just as bad as yours. You can't fix the broken rubber diaphram inside.
Pay about $9.00 and fix all 4 problems at once. it's easy and cheap. A used one may be just as bad as yours. You can't fix the broken rubber diaphram inside.