Oil Leak - Front of Engine

[leftfield6]

I'm working on my 99 Boxster with Tiptronic, mostly rear suspension work, but while it's up on jackstands I'm getting familair with a few other projects/needs as well. In the year I've owned the Box, it has had a fairly persistent oil leak. Previous owner had said it had been diagnosed as leaking oil tubes.

Okay, so that's easy, right? I ordered new oil tubes from Pelican along with new spark plugs while I'm in there. But guess what? They all look dry. I'm going to replace them anyway, but they are not the source of my oil leak.

Some of you are already thinking IMS or RMS, I'm sure. Crap, i did too. Now, after spending the last 20 minutes crawling around under there looking at where the drips are actually coming from, it's easy to see they are actually coming from the front of the engine. Oil pump is there, right?

What are the usual suspects for an oil leak that appears to be at front of engine, maybe slightly more towards the driver's side?

[The Radium King]

perhpas oil pump piston - check for oil around part #4 here:

Oil Pump

or perhaps power steering fluid - overflow is in that vicinity.

[leftfield6]

Cool, I'll take a look at that.

I cleaned the bottom as much of the engine as I could reach from underneath last night. I should be able to get a really good look tonight to see where it's dripping. (not driving the car in between)

I'm 99% it's oil. The power steering fluid has a little different look/feel.

[geetee]

could be front main seal...take a pic