Hi guys,

The long story short: I've bled my cooling system and, accidentally, I've spilled some coolant over the alternator and the serpentine belt.
My car is a Mini R50, 2005.

Now the issue is that, when starting the engine, there is a strange noise (like a whistling or something similar with a rather high pitch) coming form the alternator/serpentine belt area, which goes off only when I shut the engine off.

What do you think guys: is there a risk running the car like that?
Can the coolant damage the alternator or the rolls/belt?
Any input on this is more than welcome.

Thanks in advance!

 

No real risk. Coolant can be slippery (and wet!) but isn't corrosive.
Dollars to donuts the sound will be gone shortly.

 

As added piece of mind you can always flush the area with some clean water, a liberal amount of water from a hose (no pressure) over the area to rise off the Alternator and belt should help.

Let air dry and test it out...

Motor on!

 

Thanks guys!
I'll revert to you with update on this.