It seems to me that the front pump would ingest that "honey" as long as it isn't glue- it should have been mixed with the trans fluid while the engine was running. There shouldn't be any "honey" on the bottom of the pan if it was mixed by the pump.
This does sound like a pump issue to me.


Open it up and look at the drive splines from the torque converter to the pump. Or perhaps the planetary gear splines came up useless...


snapped_bolt

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'81 240D For now, a good place to borrow new parts
'80 300TD Probably will be put back into service!
'79 240D BACK IN SERVICE SINCE 09/16; limited use, oil leak. Guide pin r/sealed/replaced. Still a leak. Front crank seal....