I see spots on the manifold. Is this normal?

 

A guess ! ---> Being under the oil filler, there is a chance drops fell on it, that may burn away after miles...

 

If no coolant smell, then not coolant. Maybe perform a deep cleaning of the engine bay to help pinpoint. Road salt can end up in there.

 

It doesn’t look like oil. More like a liquid. So the only two options are water or coolant.

my question is, is it normal to have a few drops of coolant spilling over the exhaust manifold?

could this be the odor going into the inside of the car? What does coolant smell like? Burning glue gun?

 

the overflow line is just above those drips...I would put a clear hose on the end and route it in the cowl area under the windshield. you will likely see it start
to fill up with coolant over the next few runs.

 

Sorry not catching you. Is it common to see drips on the exhasust manifold?

 

the overflow hose from the coolant reservoir is just up from the manifold. if the system gets pressurized and has to expel coolant, it goes out that hose and the fan will push
the fluid back towards the firewall.

 

Thanks!

Sound like it's likely a coolant leak.

Could this leak be making a melting glue gun smell into the car? What does burning coolant smell like?

 

Unlikely that amount of dripping will cause in cabin smell. Might smell it after parking and smelling in wheel well. Hot coolant has a sweet smell to it you can always take a few drops and drop it on hot manifold to see what it smells like that way you can be certain.

 

There is supposed to be a rubber seal that matches with the hood to keep air from the engine bay away from the cabin air intake (at the base of the windshield, right side). Some people remove that rubber seal to allow more cooling air flow past the engine. If the rubber is gone, then engine smells can get to the cabin.