Compressor(?) Squeek

[Raptor45]

I recently had the tensioner pulley seize on my '98 Bonneville. I just got the car back, with a new belt and pulley, and am now hearing a squeeking/scraping sound coming from what I think is the A/C compressor. I'm not sure. The A/C doesn't work currently (as far as I know the mechanics are fine, but it only lasts a day or two after a recharge so there must be a leak.) What can/should I do about this? I'd rather not get stuck on the highway again.

I found a bearing online, as well as a bypass pulley... but I'm not exactly sure how to approach the problem. I was thinking about getting the A/C leak fixed for the summer, but now that I'm already out a few hundred I'm not sure I should keep spending money on it.

Could I do these repairs myself?

[Ragtop_Renegade]

Be sure you know where the noise is coming from. Bad alternator bearings chirp, squeak and squeal, too.

If it's the A/C compressor, make sure the clutch is disabled. It's a one-wire deal that simply unplugs. You might think you're safe as long as you never turn the a/c on, but you're not. The defrost setting also cycles the A/C compressor. Even though you're working with hot/warm air in this case, conditioning also removes moisture. It's beneficial on cars with A/C to utilize the system to dehumidify air, so it's engineered that way. Disconnecting the wire ensures a bad compressor doesn't end up causing a breakdown.

It the noise continues after unhooking the clutch wire, and you're positive it's the compressor drive making the noise, use a bypass pulley. It's not a bad idea to do this anyway, since the clutch freewheel can eventually fail and cause the same problem as a locked up compressor.