W124: 1991 300TE leak advice please

[ramonajim]

Bottom line: 1991 300TE 4matic, 160k miles, sound body and motor, mild undercarriage rust. Counting on her for winter hauling of multiple people. Leaking transfer case sealed ~ 6 months ago, successfully ($1,400 since I didn't have time, lift, or inclination to tinker in that zone).

Started getting smoke at highway speeds and losing hydraulic fluid (same symptoms that led us to getting the t-case seals & lines redone). Back to the same shop - isn't hydraulic fluid hitting the exhaust and making smoke, it's transmission fluid. Leaking from "a connector on the passenger side." Also, lose of hydraulic fluid is from valve at self leveler (rear of wagon).

Prognosis: shop (Deutsche American in Ijamsville, MD, FWIW) doesn't do auto tranny's, suggests taking it to a transmission shop for that leak. New self leveler valve plus 4 lines to/from the valve, $440 parts, labor to be actual hours ($89/hour).

What to do now? If the she wasn't making smoke clouds at highway speed, I'd be inclined to keep topping up fluids through the winter.

Other options?

1) Figure out if I can change/reseal the leaking "connector" (will get more specifics on what/where when I pick up the car) myself. Stop that leak, worry about leveler when funds are more available.

2) Do #1 and do the leveler myself. Save what - 2, 3 hours labor? Not peanuts, but not sure at this point is worth my fighting rusty hydraulic lines.

3) Pay a trans shop to fix the trans leak. Any guesses/recommendations? Deutsche is recommending AAMCO because I'd get a national warranty, and he's had good luck with the local shop.

4) Punt the car keys into the field and let 'er sit. Not much of an option - got Ma in a wheel chair, Ed not far from one. We're (me and Darling Wife) the full time care for these too, and our only other snow worthy transportation have either only two seats or has no heat.

Any other ideas? Suggestions? Words of wisdom?

Thanks!