Noisy/hard-to-turn compressor more than LOW FREON?

[fixizin]

Even though only 87k miles, after 25 years, some critical seals probably dried-out/shot/gone... before I noticed the serpentine belt was shredding, compressor was cycling on/off even in HOT weather (So-Fla), and NOISY in a SCREECHING way, like... bearings out of oil. Probably time for a new compressor, but the A/C is the system I'm least familiar with, so I gotta ask dumb questions before swapping parts.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fixizin]

Guess I'd better take the belt off, and turn it by wrench... what kind of torque/resistance does a "good" compressor have?

 

[fixizin]

Hello, is this thing ON?

 

[MaicoDoug]

I hear a hummm.

The small amount of compressor oil is for the compressor only & is mixed with the freon. Have you turned it by hand? Some owners refill the system, however most of the oil stays in the compressor. My 2 cents, if it is hard turning and the belt is showing damage, replace the compressor. Don't forget to use the tiny amount of oil with the recommended amount of freon. Checking pressures at this point is useless, but if I had some gauges it would be the last nail in the coffin. Could be simply the clutch, bearings.