Water (or something water-like) is dripping...

treehuggr,

Down under the plastic piece just below the windshield wipers there is
a tray that collects the water that the wipers push to the center, or
that otherwise gets the base of the windshield/top of the hood. I would
guess that you've got some debris -- leaves, whatever -- pretty much,
but not fully blocking the drain to that tray.

Getting to the tray so you can clear the drain is somewhat
complicated, but not at all difficult. The complication comes from
having to remove the windshield wipers.

Take heart! There are illusrated instructions to do this here, thanks to
gadgetdad. The write-up with pix is actually about installing a
strut tower brace. But that process starts with taking off the various
bits and pieces covering up the tray you need to access.

Hope this helps.

 

I agree that it sounds like your cowl tray drain is partially plugged with leaves, and that the fluid is water. It would be a good idea for you to remove the two-piece plastic cowl cover so that you can examine the metal tray and clear the debris.

Rather than taste the fluid, it would be better for you to use a white paper towel to wick up some of the fluid. The color of the fluid may give you a clue regarding its identity.

 

I agree with the 2 preceding replies, but I wanted to add that it is unlikely to be coolant based upon your description of where the leak is dripping. There aren't any coolant hoses in that area and the water pump is on the opposite side of the engine.

 

There is also hobbit’s nice writeup here:
http://www.techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/heatgames/

 

+1, I double-dare you!

 

If the fluid is pink, it is antifreeze which is highly poisonous.

If the fluid is yellow, it might be dog pee...

 

Has your neighbor got a dog? It could be the mark of the beast.