Auto Air Conditioning & Heater Repair: rattling compressor, internal compressor, compressor clutch

Question
Hi,
Fixing up a 1990 olds royal 88 for my son in college, car had set for a little over 2 years.
runs perfect but a few days ago it started rattling loud from the serpitine belt area.
removed belt & started & it was gone. mechanics stethescope makes it sound like its the A/C compressor. could this just be air in the line? needing serviced or recharged?  if that doesn't fix is it possible to match up & re route a new serpitine belt to bypass the a/c compressor?  right now spending hundreds of dollars to replace everything just is not an option
thanks for your input
CcRider

Answer
IF the A/C compressor is rattling when the A/C is OFF this would be a fault of the COMPRESSOR CLUTCH of which needs to be replaced.

If the noise is there and appears to be an internal compressor fault this would require compressor replacement.

You CAN bypass the compressor and or remove it and install a large pulley or replace the belt.


autohelp