Originally Posted by Amskeptic

I think, from the sound of the above, that your A/C compressor is perfectly fine, but the bearing for the A/C pulley is what is bad.



An A/C clutch is available for far less than the quote you were given. So I am confused about the options that were actually given you.

IF IT IS THE CLUTCH BEARING: You will have noise any time the engine is running. It is just a lowly little ball bearing pressed in the pulley and you can get it replaced for cheap, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE because your accesory belt needs it work.

IF IT IS THE A/C COMPRESSOR: a bad bearing in here will only be apparent when you turn on the A/C. Pull the A/C relay, and you can let the climate control system do all of its automatic functions without making anything worse through the winter.

Colin

You could yank that sucker off and have a bearing pressed in for less than $110.00 CDN if you can find someone willing to work with you.