Annoying drip

[Bin Bongoed]

But that's enough about me.

For nearly a year I've had an annoying drip, which now I've got the undertray off, I cannot trace for sure. I've gunked the engine hoping to see where the problem is, and have only managed to locate the general area.

Firstly I've not had to top up the oil in a year, even after arduous long trips with days up in the mountains.
It seems to gather on the bottom of power steering box next to the engine (where the tube from the power steering reservoir goes, which reservoir I've also not needed to top up). From there it drips onto the cable that passes underneath.

But it is also very wet just behind and slightly above that unit, I don't know if it is blowing back when driving. The oil that is dropping seems quite light, and doesn't seem to be engine oil, I am wondering if it is diesel from the fuel pump. I cannot find any loose nuts. It does not squirt out with the engine running.

Also it is oily around the edge of the sump plate, on the rear quarter - the nuts seem tight. Of course this could be additional, or blow around. It's a 95 SGL5.

Any ideas what I should look for, how I should proceed, and which are the likeliest candidates in that area?

It might be obvious, but I am not mechanically minded.

[mikeonb4c]

Sounds Verrrrrrrrry like wot I had when my diesel pump was leaking. See if you can spot the odd drip coming off the underside of it when engine is running and engine d/s cover is up. I got by for a long time by just putting a generous old rag (that's me folks ha ha!) on the tray to soak it up. Changed rag about every month or two. Finally got it done this year.

If you rub the little drip around on your fingers, what does he (errrrrr, it) smell like? Diesel?

[steviebongo]

We had a bongo in for a service and noticed that there was an occasional drip from the pump area so after the rest of the service and report was done ,the van was sent to a diesel Specailist and he confirmed it was a leak @ the pump,but not the front seal ,some kind of cover seal? ANyway it came back sorted and not to expensive I hope.

[wonkanoby]

most leak from dome at the side of pump and plate you cannot see on reverse

[Bin Bongoed]

I'll have to check all this in the morning, it does sound like it is the pump leaking.

Mike, doesn't a diesel soaked rag sound like a fire risk?

[mikeonb4c]

I'll have to check all this in the morning, it does sound like it is the pump leaking.

Mike, doesn't a diesel soaked rag sound like a fire risk?

No I don't think so as there's nothing to set fire to it and diesel is not highly inflammable (it's not like petrol, which would be much more dodgy). But obviously I'm not liable for what others do etc. but it was good enough for me for 2+ years and I guess you could argue a diesel soaked undertray is as much of a hazard. Its good to keep diesel from going onto the road though, as that is a hazard to motorists (not that the odd drip amounts to much)