I noticed the other day a very minor staining on the passenger side (UK) of the front splitter (right side as you look head on to the front of the car). It was on the black plastic section below the grill.

Just a few drips.

I tasted it (yup, I really did) and to me it seemed to be coolant. I looked around for a radiator leak but couldn't see one.

What radiators are on this side of the car? Is there an overflow outlet in this area? Possibly loose hose connector which only leaks under pressure?

I am speculating it is coolant. It could be oil or air con refrigerant.

The amount looked tiny and there are no patches on the drive way.

I'm just a little nervous about anything like this on a 2003 RX-8 231.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

It is likely overflow. That is the "wrong side" compared to my coolant bottle, but since you have a RHD car, this is probably a mirror image of the US 8s.

Pop the hood and take a look for the coolant bottle against the front rail of the engine bay. To one side is an overflow tube pointing down. Check to see if that tube makes any sense as to where you found coolant.

If it's not that, then it's likely from another car. I don't know how coolant would go forward on the car unless it only happened when you were hard on the brakes.

Example: My last autocross day with my Miata (which was burning oil at a quarter per 200 miles), the GTR that was parked behind me in the grid ended the day with their lower right valence blasted with oil soot from my Miata's tail pipe.

 

How did it taste; sweet or oily?