1997 Plymouth Voyager unidentified canister?

Can someone look at the pictures below and tell me what is that dark greasy black canister? It's on the lower part of the engine on the driver side. I want to see if I can clean that area up, but I am curious to learn what that really is? Or maybe figure out why it seems to be so oily in that area?

This picture shows the side of the engine that canister is.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1251/engineviewcanister.jpg

This picture points to the mysterious black canister.
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5761/canister.jpg

Thanks in advance! :grinyes:

That cannister is an inline filter that a previous owner installed to filter the transmission fluid.
It should not be there. The transmission filter is inside the tranny.
I jusr checked my van, with 4000 miles on it, there is no cannister.
Maybe the previous owner had transmission problems, which is unlikely with a 3 speed.
Maybe you should change the tranny fluid and filter.

While you are taking photos, take one of the top of your engine, I notice you are missing some hoses.

That cannister is an inline filter that a previous owner installed to filter the transmission fluid.
It should not be there. The transmission filter is inside the tranny.
I jusr checked my van, with 4000 miles on it, there is no cannister.
Maybe the previous owner had transmission problems, which is unlikely with a 3 speed.
Maybe you should change the tranny fluid and filter.
Oh boy, this is strange, the first thing I did was take it to the shop and get the transmission replaced. I wonder why the mechanic missed this canister? Is it easy to remove it? Or will I have to take it back to the mechanic and inquire why he missed that?

While you are taking photos, take one of the top of your engine, I notice you are missing some hoses.
I hope this picture helps. Thanks in advance.

http://danceusapro.com/images/1997_Plymouth_Voyager/engine_central_view.jpg

Ok hoses are there, routed differently.
Your tranny guy could have at least put in a new inline filter.
If you got a new tranny, leave filter in or replace it. Don't want any crud floating around in your new tran.

Oh, so that inline filter I was asking about, is actually suppose to be there? Is that what you are telling me? I am a bit confused.

The inline filter does not come in a new van.
The 4 speed tranny has a bad reputation, many people add an inline filter to catch small flakes and particles.
If you got a new tranny, get that filter replaced.
Since you didn't get a new radiator, which is where the transmission fluid cooler is, who knows if it is dirty, leave the filter in.
If you remove the filter, your nice new tranny may get some residual flakes in it.

that is creative to use what looks like a fuel filter in the tranny cooler line! i wonder if that would strain the pump? mike