No burnt smell to the fluid.

I have turned the car over to Don Pool's shop in Falls Church. Turns out, they are one of the few places in the area that will actually attempt a repair. Mercedes sells a rebuilt valve body for $340 which is about the only hope of salvaging the trans at this point.

Thanks for the suggestions - I will post the outcome.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe