ac compressor

hello, the compressor on my 2001 is making a high pitch grinding noise when it is not engaged, when it is engaged there is no such noise. i was wondering if it would do less damage with the ac on or if i should leave it off. also is this an easy or cheap fix? thanks

Its just the pulley draging on the clutch when the a/c is not on. Mine was getting pretty loud before I went and seen a mechanic for an opinion. He just soaked oil in the tiny crack between the pully and the clutch on the a/c compressor and it hasn't came back since (I actually had to oil it once or twice more before it completly went away..but this was back in june) The problem is that there is bearly any clearance on the a/c clutch, so any bit of corrosion or dirt can cause it to drag and make horrible noises. Obviously when you turn the a/c on the clutch grabs and spins the a/c compressor so that noise will dissapear. Just find a way to get oil in that crack beside the pulley...spray type lubricants like wd-40 will work but won't last long as they evaporate. Oil is the best... I used the syringe that came with the Ink refill kit for my printer and 10w30 oil...best tool for the job! Try to keep oil off the belt as it can slip.

thanks harmen, i will give this a shot and see what happens

Seems like a typical GM problem. My old Cavalier and several other GM vehicles I have noticed do this. I usually just spray it with water while the engine is running, but AC not engaged. It usually flushes the dirt and whatnot out of it. I like the oil suggestion though. I may try that too.

I tried with 20/50, with a Syringe,,,,, and it works like a Charm .

Just make sure you have plenty of towels around to wipe off excess drippage before it drips on the belts or the Pully's....

Thanks ...it quieted it down a lot ....

Gary

For the record mine eventually wore enough of itself away that it stopped haha. The compressor still engages fine too.