HELP! Is My A/C Compressor Shot?

My '97 Silverado Z-71 is making a noise like loose marbles from what I believe may be the A/C compressor. In addition, the engine seems to whine with the revs, whenever the fan is on - even with A/C off). When I turn the system to "off" both the marbles and the whine stop. The A/C blows cold still.

I was going to run it until something went, but decided perhaps something can be fixed instead of replaced after failure. I don't want to pay big money!!!

Thanks

Its souns like it may just be your A/C clutch bearing. If it stops whining with the clutch disengaged I would start there. Try having someone turn the a/c on and off while you watch it and you may be lucky enough to just have to replace the clutch bearing.

The A/C bearing always spins when the engine is running. The inner race is attached to the compressor body and the outer race is on the pully. So, no matter if the A/C is on or not, it will howl or groan. However the severity of it will decrease somewhat while the A/C is running.

Try taking the belt off and checking it by hand. Whichever bearing is bad on the front of your engine, you should be able to spin them by hand and hear some noise. Or you should feell play in the pully.

It is very common for the bearing in the idler pully to fail. Check that first.

ive had tons of a/c probs w/ rebuilt compressors, i got a brand new AC delco on my truck now its smooth as anything, your compressor may need some oil in it i forget what kind they put in it when its charged but if the sytem is leaking this might cause it, also you can get a clutch kit for these compressors with new bearings, this might also stop it, if u let it go too long the compressor will lock up and you will get stranded cause itll sling ur belt off