Possible bad AC compressor?

[Crunkrich]

First things first, I did search and didnt find my problem well discussed... so yeah.... here goes

My AC started squealing real bad and I checked the belt, which is perfectly tight. A few weeks ago when it started the hot air and the vents worked fine, but when the AC was turned on it started squealing. Now it squeals with just the vents on, no AC, just not as loud as with AC. A few people have told me the compressor is bad, or the AC clutch is bad, and that its expensive as balls to fix.... any suggestions before I have to replace this one?

Taking it out isnt an option lol.... black car + dark interior + balls hot summers = AC or die

[benemorius]

You're going to have to use your own two ears to locate the exact source of the squeal. That's not something we can for you over the net. If it squeals with the blower on and a/c off, but not with the blower off, then it can't be the a/c compressor. In fact, the only remote possibility would be the alternator belt being loose enough to squeal with the extra drain of the blower motor. If that isn't it, then either it's something completely unrelated or you have the details mixed up.

Still, you really just need to poke around and locate the exact source of the noise.

[nukeone]

Sometimes, that squeal is very hard to pin point but I would suspect the idler pulley as the culprit. If the A/C compressor was bad and locked up, it would only do it when the clutch is engaged (A/C on). If the clutch was bad, it normally fails in the dis-engaged position (like a solenoid, needs power to pull in and engage). The idler pulley, located slightly below and to the right of the crank pulley (facing the engine), is on the same belt with the A/C compressor. It is not uncommon for the bearings to go bad and to eventually lock up, meaning that you will here an extreme squeal and probably see some smoke from the belt. The good news is that, if it happens while you are driving, cutting the belt off will allow you to drive until you can get it replaced, since it will only affect your A/C (alternator is on one belt and water pump and power steering share another belt).

[Crunkrich]

Yeah I just reread my first post and it doesnt make any sense in guessing the AC clutch was bad if it still squeals with just the vents... durrrr

If it is the bearings, how hard is that to replace myself?

[benemorius]

Very easy to replace, BUT it also makes no sense to suspect the idler pulley if you don't hear the noise with the blower motor turned off.

[Crunkrich]

to clear things up:

as of one month ago (approx.):-AC squealed -heat or cool vents worked fine

as of a few days ago:-AC still squeals-heat or cool vents squeal also but not as much as if AC is on

and there is no squealing whatsoever if all the vents and AC are off, and the higher the revs, the louder the squealing

thanks for the help everyone