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may very well be right but try this first - you may save a lot of money.
Turn the AC off and start the car - does it make a noise now? If it does,
get someone to switch on the AC whilst you listen carefully - does the
noise (A)diminish, (B)stay the same or (C)worsen.
If the noise is
very noticeable and doesn't start until the AC is actually switched on
then you probably do need a new compressor although it is worth looking
to see if the car has a belt tensioner idler pulley as that might just
be the source of the noise or maybe allowing the belt to screech. Double
check that the noise is not coming from the electric fans on the radiator
which frequently start and stop when the AC is turned on and off. It may
just also be a damaged clutch boss or face.
Compressors frequently
make a little more noise than usual when they are running on a much reduced
charge. Sometimes all they need is a full charge of refrigerant. It is
also worth saying that my twenty seven year old Mercedes has a noisy compressor
- I've added a little too much oil and I turn the radio up a little but
the AC works fine and it doesn't leak.
If you have (A)
above, in other words, the noise get less once the AC is switched on,
you could be lucky; the problem is almost certainly a failed compressor
pulley bearing - a fairly common fault. As long as you act quickly you
could repair this for the price of a new bearing (between £10 and
£40), frequently without even having to recover the refrigerant.
If you have (B)
above you may also be lucky like in (A) but there is a risk that there
is a little more damage within the compressor - this might require a rebuilt
compressor. If you have (C) you probably do need another compressor.
Contact
me
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