Oily emulsion drops under car

[a8hex]

After I moved my X300 today (first time since before the snow) there were a couple of light creamy brown marks on the ground under where the car had been parked, under the engine I guess. I had a closer look and they were the sort of emulsion you dread finding under your oil filler cap.
I checked the filler and everything up there was clean.
I've not noticed the car using oil or water.

I have seen these deposits under my XK150 once, when I first bought the car, there is was from the breather. I guess it was caused by condensation forming inside the engine and then being blown off when the car ran.

Could this be a similar problem with the X300? I wouldn't have thought a modern (OK, modernish) would have an open breather.

I couldn't see where the drops were coming from under the car.

Any thoughts?

[Jaguar steve]

Gearbox oil? If it's new it won't be that colour but if it's old it might be.

Have a look at the gearbox dipstick to see if the oil on that is the same colour as the oil on the ground.

[xkrGiles]

drop the oil plug & see what comes out, if its clean brown/black then dont worry, just re-fill

Otherwise, look for smoke when she's running. water is thinner than oil & can get into the cylinder & burn off producing white/grey smoke.

I wouldnt worry if thats the only symptom so far

[sparky35uk]

I've had the same on my X350, but I do know there is a slight leak from somewhere - just need it to warm up so I can investigate.
I think you'll find that it is 'normal' oil (as in engine oil) that has dropped, but the ground being wet for so long, it has emulsified on the ground, giving the creamy colour you describe.