I've learned that I have a transmission leak at least at the front pump seal. My indie, who I believe to be honest, competent, and thorough, has quoted me $900 (which includes replacing other seals as well...as long as he's in there).

OPTION 1 is just to go ahead and do it. But I'm reluctant to spend that kind of money to seal a transmission with 188k miles on it when a rebuild or replacement may, for all I know, be in my near future....throwing good money after bad.

OPTION 2 is to do the rebuild or replacement now. Even though that costs more, at least I know everything is done. But I'm even more reluctant to spend $2500 or whatever.

OPTION 3 is simply to keep topping off the fluid ad infinitum. While this is admittedly environmentally irresponsible, it enables me to stall for time.

OPTION 4 is to try some sort of well-regarded stop leak, like Lucas Transmission Fix. Is there any reason not to give this a try? Can it hurt? I'm not terribly impressed with comments to the effect that "all stop leak products are snake oil"...but I am certainly open to actual reasons why I should not use the Lucas product.

Other than the leak, the tranny works perfectly.

What would you do and why?

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 158k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 177k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 144k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 72k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife