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[Malcolm_D]

02 2.6 Elite. Having given the engine and the plastic undercover a clean recently I am puzzled to see a dribble and a few spots of what appears to be a clean light grade oil on the top lip of the sump edge and the plastic undercover just below the aircon compressor. I have cleaned it off once but it has reappeared.

I don't think that it is engine oil as it is too clean (even though I have just done an oil change) and it doesn't feel thick enough.

Any ideas?

[BazaJT]

Are you sure it's oil?It sounds very much like you may have an aircon leak.No doubt someone more knowing than I will be along shortly to shoot me down in flames about that.

[Malcolm_D]

That thought had crossed my mind as well. The aircon is nice and cold so it appears to be working (at the moment!). I am trying to identify where the drips are coming from so that I can tell what the fluid is and what is leaking.

[4x4]

Power steering leak,cooler,pump,pipes   

[BazaJT]

Colour may give a clue ATF/power steering fluid should be a red colour while I understand that aircon leaks show up green?

[Malcolm_D]

This is neither, it is clear.

[chrisgixer]

Spillage from a top up? Leaking filler neck seal?

[chrisgixer]

Leaking ac oil compressor? (Assuming no die)

[Malcolm_D]

Had the aircon serviced and regassed after replacing a leaking pipe two years ago, dye was put in according to the sticker in the engine bay so it should be green.

Oil and filter changed recently, no spillage at all (a bit OCD!), wondered if it could be a leak from the base of the dipstick tube, don't think it is from where the filler neck joins the cam cover although I will certainly check. Just felt too thin to be engine oil but I could be wrong.

Will continue to investigate. 

[Malcolm_D]

Have investigated further I now believe that the oil is ATF from the steering pump as it appears to have a slight red tinge to it. All I need to do now is to find out which part is leaking! 
Can the power steering pump be removed without having to first remove the aircon compressor?

[4x4]

Tighten up the jubilee clips on the feed pipe from reservoir to pump.

[Malcolm_D]

Sounds like a sensible first step.
Have found a guide on the forum, written by johnnycboy, for removing pump if necessary, without taking off the aircon compressor which is what the Haynes manual tells you is needed!

[Nick W]

Tighten up the jubilee clips on the feed pipe from reservoir to pump.

Wipe the pipes and rubber hoses down while you're at it; the hoses might be perished and leaking. Which an easy and cheap fix, using a few quids worth of hose, if a bit messy.

[Malcolm_D]

Need to check more closely for perishing etc but on first inspection the jubilee clip at the bottom end of the rubber hose was not tight, could move it with my fingers! Now tightened and 'splash zone' cleaned so lets see if the problem is sorted. 

[swordfish]

breaking a 2.6 if you need the pipe