2001 A4 2.8L Quattro Avant Auto-Tiptronic

A few weeks ago, I noticed the car was slow from a standing start. Then 2 days ago, the car shuttered a bit at running idle while driving. Yesterday, shuttering then a cloud of smoke while driving. Stopped, looked underneath and saw fluid leaking out from under the car between the front wheels.

Got it home and up on stands. Wiped everything down and could not for the life of me figure where the leak came from. Looked at send and return line fittings, seals and figured it must be a tranny pan gasket failure. Replaced today with new gasket and filter. Filled with fresh fluid while cold and started engine to get the fluid hot for final topping. Immediately fluid poured out in front of tranny just behind flywheel. I should also mention that there is a whining/almost slight grinding noise that is more prominent when engine rpm is increased. I thought this might be the pump as it was way low on tranny fluid. (The car just basically spit out ALL of the fluid yesterday)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ghcdeav94..._0729.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4sv0rv4y0c..._0730.JPG?dl=0

You can see the drips...flywheel is dry.

So....what do you think the issue is? Fried torque converter? If so, how tough of a home garage repair?

Thanks in advance for help!

 

Please keep this post updated. Would like to know if you replaced the transmission with a rebuilt one or what your successful strategy and diagnosis was/is. I have a 2001 with same tranny and noticed some rough shifting. How many miles ? Car looks great ane well worth a new tranny $800 here minus deposit About 1200 total w/o labor for new rebuilt exchange. May be cheaper out there. Best.