Does this look like a leak in my engine area?

Pop off the 3 fasteners with a small flat-blade screwdriver and see what it looks like underside; good opportunity to wipe it clean too. I don't think you're going to discover much though: I had a look at ours, and nothing obvious underneath that could be doing that.

Are you getting service at dealership or some other pro's. Just guessing someone's overzealous lubing the hood release hinge, or spraying some sort of armor all product? Strangely uniform though.

IIRC you're street parking? How many miles? Any engine underpanel missing? Can't believe how ravaged that engine bay looks. I snapped a pic when I checked ours just now. Very clean in comparison. Low miles and garage stored though.

 

I think repeated overnight condensation, coupled with dust raised by passing traffic.

 

You could always Go for the good old inverter cover, like mine:

 

FWIW I don't think it is a leak...from any engine compartment component.

Note the front seal...also looks discolored.

I also agree that it may be a chemical reaction from a lubricant or detail spray or a soap.

Removing that front plastic panel and looking for moisture under the panel could aid in finding the cause is also a good and easy idea.

Perhaps it is road salt residue, and if so, then I would look to the hood seal and hood alignment.
Perhaps the lower plastic inspection panel is removed and the "salts are coming from the bottom of the car by air flow turbulence.

Anyway, good luck finding the cause.

 

The Prius engine can be washed at a self serve car wash. I wash mine probably once a month, engine compartment still looks like new. You'll have to overlook the Cusco FTB, the intake modification and the wiring harness cover, though..

 

I get a lot of dust under there, which is the main reason I wash under the hood when I wash the car, but only when I wash it in the backyard. Never use a pressure washer underhood! If you're not careful water can be forced into electrical connectors. I'm talking about the "sealed" ones. They are no match for pressure washers! You could use a pressure washer from 2-3 feet safely though.

A coolant leak will be festive! Purple/pink danglers everywhere. Had that with Pearl. Usually an oil leak won't spray everywhere, just seep down from the leak spot. A few on this forum have seen that with the "front" of the engine (timing chain cover). I'd say someone doing service spilled a bit, trying to be fast, probably. They wouldn't take the time to clean it up properly. Just a quick wipe will give you what you see.

 

I bought my car new and have had it since August of 2015. I lightly spray wash the entire engine using the "spot free rinse" mode every two months. Keeps it looking new. I plan on keeping the bottom cover and replacing it should it ever become damage or I lose it.

 

That too bad, the leak around 12 volt. Hatch not sealing?

 

It's very easy to get amazing results:
1) Buy engine degreaser at your local auto parts store. I like the stuff that comes in the purple spray bottle.
2) Good if your engine is warm, but NOT hot. Don't spray liquids on a hot engine.
3) Pop the hood and spray that degreaser all over the engine, all the plastic stuff, way down low... spray really generously, soak the thing. Avoid the paint, although I don't think it eats paint.
4) Wait 10-15 minutes
5) Soak it off with a garden hose.
6) If you want it really shiny, spray Armor All on all the hoses and plastic surfaces.

You'll be TOTALLY amazed at the result. Seriously, it will blow you away.

 

What's weird: I've done next to squat with ours. Use a leaf blower or wet-dry vacuum on blow sometimes, dust it off a bit with a paint brush, and push a duster wand through all the gaps. But this is maybe 3 times in 6 years.

I think a big part of it is garage storage, it's never covered in dew in the mornings, well rarely, just on road trip vacations. And only 65K kilometers on the odometer. Also, I pushed these tube insulation pieces over the seams along top of fender. Maybe keeps the dust down:

 

Or you live in place there the rain washes the dust away from the roads all the time.

Keep in mind if you drive in heavy rain it gets spayed all over the engine compartment (eventually). It's "water resistant". So as long as you don't use a pressure washer you can wash everything under there provided you don't remove any covers. i.e. the air filter is left assembled, the fuse box cover is on etc. I use a garden hose and nossle on hard spray with no issues.

The engine mounts on Pearl had no paint on parts of them and they rusted before I noticed. A little "rust converter" solved that issue. It's a "paint" that converts rust into a more permanent anti-corrosion coating. Found at Home Depot, for example.

Oh, and I've got to get around to installing Mendel's side seals someday. Maybe this spring. Pearl S sleeps in the garage and also has low mileage but gets dusty anyway. Kind of like "Pigpen".

 

How many miles? We are pretty low 65K km's.

I use those side seals mostly to help hold the heat in, in winter. I was leaving them in year 'round, but last summer thought better of it, took them out in late spring.

 

Not "dangerous," but you really should get that leak looked at. I'm guessing whoever did your body work didn't get something sealed or aligned right. That water will lead to rust in the battery area. Not good, long term, even in L.A.

 

All I'm going to say, is I'm NOT a big recommender of using a Pressure Washer to spray clean your engine.
Why?
Well when I was younger, I actually damaged a vehicle of mine doing it. Unknowingly knocked loose wires.
When I was older? I lived for a while down the street from a coin operated pressure wash place and I lost count of how many times I'd drive by, and see someone with the hood up and pressure washing their vehicle's engine, then later I'd pass by to see them frantically trying to get the vehicle started and/or a tow truck present.

With all the electronics and components in a vehicle today? Just doesn't seem worth it.
I actually think routine careful maintenance is the best.
I can pretty much keep my engine compartment looking clean if I just occasionally open the hood and carefully wipe things off by hand.

So my only advice is IF you do decide to use a pressure washer to clean your engine.
Be very, very careful.
Yes it works...but maybe try "Low Pressure" and a conservative approach.