stumped by source of "fish oil" smell in 97 Ranger 5-speed

"Scott" <homealone.com> wrote in message

>
> "oily_boot2" wrote in message
>
>> Maybe someone has already experienced this one. I have a 97 Ranger
>> 5-speed with approx. 90k miles. Since I bought the truck, it has
>> consistently, but intermittently, had an odor in the cab of the truck
>> which occurs generally only after driving for at least say 5-10
>> minutes. I'm 95% sure this is an ATF smell.
>
> If it is flinging atf on to your exhaust pipe someplace that might
> be it.
>

If that's truly what's happening, check the power steering. The PS systems
on these use Type F

CJB
 >> Stay informed about: stumped by source of ""fish oil"" smell in 97 Ranger 5-speed 

"oily_boot2" wrote: 97 Ranger 5-speed 90k miles

Since I bought the truck, it has often had a "fish oil" odor in
the cab after driving at least 5 minutes. I'm 95% sure it is
an ATF smell. Any suggestions?
_______________________________________________

ATF: Smell dipstick on PS reservoir for comparison.
Look for ATF dripping from PS pump or hoses.
COOLANT: Smell radiator coolant for comparison.
Look for reservoir overflow, radiator leaks, or
heater core leak.
OIL: Look for oil drip from valve cover on to exhaust system.
AC: Open evap drain port. Flush out box with vinegar
or mild bleach water if it has mold inside. Blow out
lint and dust from heater core.
FOOD: Shampoo carpeting/upholstery, clean out defroster vent.
BRAKE FLUID: Smell reservoir for comparison. Look for
fluid dripping from master cyl, brake lines, hoses,
and vacuum booster.
CLOTHING: The rubber/plastic in some tennis shoes made in
Asia has a definite fish oil smell. It fades with time.
Some of this material is in auto floor mats too.
GASOLINE: Probably not - smell is distinctive.

Some gasolines will put out an exhaust smell like epoxy resin
when the engine is running. Sometimes a cat converter puts
out a smell, but usually like rotten eggs, not fish.

Good luck.

Rodan.
 >> Stay informed about: stumped by source of ""fish oil"" smell in 97 Ranger 5-speed 

"oily_boot2" wrote in message

> Maybe someone has already experienced this one. I have a 97 Ranger
> 5-speed with approx. 90k miles. Since I bought the truck, it has
> consistently, but intermittently, had an odor in the cab of the truck
> which occurs generally only after driving for at least say 5-10
> minutes. I'm 95% sure this is an ATF smell. I say this because I
> stuck my nose over a bottle of the Mercon ATF, and it smells exactly
> the same. It is not a "burnt" smell at all, just oily.
> At first I thought it might be brake fluid leaking from the slave
> cylinder. Now the slave and the clutch have been replaced, but the
> smell remains. I believe there is a slight leak at the transmission
> extension housing seal, but it is very slight, less than a half pint
> every thousand miles. And YES I have visually checked the 3 infamous
> shift rail plugs and they are high and dry.
> My question: could the slight leakage at the rear trans seal
> account for this persistent (and fairly strong) odor?

Is this a diesel converted to run on cooking oil? If it is, perhaps the
previous owner got his oil from fried fish place.

Jeff
 >> Stay informed about: stumped by source of ""fish oil"" smell in 97 Ranger 5-speed