Red powdery stuff on ac compressor? (Pictures)

So I noticed this today on my 2014 cascadia. Red stuff on the AC compressor belt wheel and the spring of the belt tensioner. What do you think it is, coolant residue? (I do have a very slow coolant leak, like a gallon once every two months kinda leak)... Or is it AC Freon? I didn't think it was red, though...

Should I worry?

 

Yeah, that's what I figured. It's a slow leak, but it's gotta be going somewhere. Just weird that it's so concentrated...

 

Not sure what those parts are made of, but I wiped off all the red crap with a wet towel just in case.

 

Thanks for the heads up. It is pretty dry and powdery. And I did have an AC related check engine code pop up recently...

Just curious, if it's a sign of the AC clutch going, what is it? Is it coolant, or some kind of internal AC clutch lubricant?

Also, can I just wait until the AC clutch craps out on its own, or will it damage other parts when it goes? (Other than just making the AC not work, that is. I can deal with that, it's already almost November...)

And lastly... is the AC clutch easy to replace on my own? Or is it a shop job? And is it a separate part, or do I have to replace the whole compressor?

 

Hmm... you had me at SCREQUEALING. I don't want that. I guess I will just avoid using the AC until I can make it to a dealership and buy a replacement clutch. Thanks for the advice.

PS, if I avoid using AC, the compressor won't operate and deteriorate further, right?[/QUOTE]