I have a 95 neon that appears about ready to give out. The AC seems to have a small leak. The Freon lasts a season and then give out. Anyway, today while driving there was a loud screech from the engine. I turned the AC off and the screech disappeared. I turned the AC back on and it screeched again till I turned it off. Like an idiot, I turned it on again after about 5 minutes. It didn't screech but the air wasn't cool and when I pulled off the highway about 2 minutes later the car started smoking. I turned off the AC and pulled into the nearest parking lot. By the time I got to the parking lot the engine stopped smoking. I took a chance and drove the 10 miles it took to get home. I had to stop several times and never saw smoke again.
Here's the question. I want to buy a new car and I'm wondering if I can can consider the car safe if I don't use the Air Conditioner. I'd like to be able to drive it while I search for a car. Can I test it somehow? If I drive it around the neighborhood without seeing the smoke can I consider it okay (as long as I don't turn on the AC) Any thoughts?