what is dripping from my front diff ??? P38 DSE

there is a smell of diesel, but no signs of any leakage, so I can't find out if it really is diesel. Here's the thing - it feels like oil and does not smell at all - definitely not like diesel ! If it is oil, it is absolutely clean, and it is not thick oil.
Any ideas what could drip down there, and can diesel lose it's smell & feel like oil?
By the way engine oil level is fine as are other fluids & water level. SO before I remove the inlet manifold etc to try to get to where it may be coming from, any ideas ? Thanks.

your fuel filter and oil cooler piupes are both above diff area,

is the oil on top of the diff too? if its clean & clear, but doesn't smell, I think it would have to be brake fluid. it feels oily, but doesn't taste like oil for sure.

check levels on all of your 'wet bits' - It may be collant tracking back on another engine part and popping down to the diff.

PAS fluid?

ah oil cooler - thanks I shall check that. Yes the top of the diff is wet but it's a small amount when stationary and it's difficult to see where it came from - possibly blown backwards from further up front. Think I'll have to lay it up until I can get a day off work to strip it to find the cause.

nisbeam said:

ah oil cooler - thanks I shall check that. Yes the top of the diff is wet but it's a small amount when stationary and it's difficult to see where it came from - possibly blown backwards from further up front. Think I'll have to lay it up until I can get a day off work to strip it to find the cause.

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I've had those symptoms twice, first time it was the engine oil cooler pipes leaking at the joint between the rubber and metal parts, second time it was the actual diff loose in the axle, I presume it was wet on top due to the action of the crown wheel throwing the oil about.

Fixed. It was a leak pipe between two of the injectors.
Interestingly I had heard that if a leak pipe is even cracked it can cause a stutter or misfire, let alone disconnected !! But in this case it made no difference to the performance , possibly because I have a Powerbox fitted.

Anyway, pleased it is all running well again. Just got to sort out that sodding bonnet open switch now :5bwilly_nilly:

nisbeam said:

Fixed. It was a leak pipe between two of the injectors.
Interestingly I had heard that if a leak pipe is even cracked it can cause a stutter or misfire, let alone disconnected !! But in this case it made no difference to the performance , possibly because I have a Powerbox fitted.

Anyway, pleased it is all running well again. Just got to sort out that sodding bonnet open switch now :5bwilly_nilly:

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No you won't get a misfire with a disconnected spill pipe. But you may get diesel dripping off your diff.