I noticed that there is a rusty colored brown film covering the water pump, ac compressor, alternator, a/c lines in front, and the air cleaner box, etc...

It can be wiped off, but I am not sure if it was there last fall of not..???

Anyone know what this may be? It looks like something has been thrown into the fan and it sprayed it all over everything. My coolant is very clean and green...What could this be, and where would it be coming from?

 

power steering fluid is brownish. Could be leaking. OR you can have an oil leak somewhere.

 

could be mud residue, ps fluid, or leaking rusty coolant.
check all fluids and top off to the full level.
wash it all off and monitor if it comes back.
note whether its oily (ps) or sticky (coolant).

 

It doesn't have the consistency of any fluids.. It wipes off with a firm scrub.

 

Thats you water pump going out. It would explain you loose fan in you other thread. My water pump went bad on my '94 and I had the same brown stuff all over the engine compartment. It was even on the underside of the hood. Once the pump was fixed the brown stuff stopped going everywhere. To this day I have no idea why it was brown though. Maybe getting onto the belt caused it.

 

The water pump maybe weeping a bit, being thrown around by the fan, then having road grime stick to it before it dries, which leaves the grimy brown residue you're finding.