1993 Auto Trans vacuum modulator questions

I believe the vacuum modulator is bad on our 1993 Exploder.

MY son had transmission troubles the other night. It was really low on fluid, it was slipping and the vehicle was smoking due to fluid on the exhaust pipe. He was able to add two quarts of fluid and drive it home.

Yesterday he put it up on jack stands to try and find the source of the leak. We couldn't really tell where it was leaking from, as the entire trans was covered in fluid.

I asked him to start it to see if that would help us spot the leak. When he did, the engine was running rough and you could here this tremendous vacuum leak. Virtually all of the vacuum lines had come off of the "tree" at the rear of the engine. I plugged in the rubber fittings which were all oily and fit very loose on the tree. One of the ports on the tree did not have a fitting so I "plugged it". This process stopped the vacuum leaking sound and made the truck idle smoothly.

I have searched these forums and am thinking:
1)The engine probably back fired and blew all of these fittings loose because they were so oily. 2)The fittings were oily because of a bad modulator. 3) The reason the trans has been using a quart of fluid each month is due to a bad modulator (it didn't leak fluid before).

Does this sound like a bad modulator?

I've read that they are not very expensive and are not too difficult to self install.

Thanks for any information and tips.

Bill

In response to your 3 thoughts - Yes. Modulatior is bad. Replacement is not too bad, though you will need to remove catalytic convertor to gain access to the bolt for modulator. You can buy the rubber fittings by matching them up with HELP parts which is available at Kragens, Checkers, etc. And yes the forth one is a blank so just put a rubber plug on it. Modulator is cheap, less than $20. If you find any trick to do this job easier let us know.

Mine does not have that problem but it has thrown fluid out of the Trans overflow tube pulling mountain grades.Also noticed after sitting 2 to 4 hours later it will drain out of overflow a pint or more.
The Mechanic I bought the Truck from said Ford used the wrong ATF check stick in them and they should run only to where you can barely see fluid on it. However it will whine like sucking air, so I fill it to where the book says. I'm thinking prehaps, the overflow vavle is bad and when the motor is shut off, its draining down from the trans. cooler.
I also read some post that say the pump seals also can pop out and leak bad.
I would like to see if I can swap a older trans (3 speed) or update this trans. with better aftermarket parts. I don't want a electronic trans. as I have had trouble with a 2000 Pontiac Montana.
Wish U.S. made cars were as trouble free as my 82 Mazda B2000 Truck I use for my business everyday with 209000 trouble free miles.