The AC Compressor on my daughter's 97 Lexus ES300 (190,000 miles) is bad. Don't want to replace it due to cost and high mileage on vehicle. Compressor making grinding sound like bearings are bad so would like to be able to just get rid of sound and go without AC. Anyway, would like to bypass that pulley or disengage it somehow so it simply "free wheels" without making that noise. Is that possible or will it cause other problems with Alternator or something else?

 

Does it make the noise even when the AC is off. If not, than just leave the AC off, if it makes the noise even when off, than definitely you will need to deal with it.

If it was my car, I would get a used compresor from a scrap yard, and change it. At least you'll have the AC back.

Removing the Compressor totally is not a good idea. Not knowing what size belt you'll need, will cause you or your mechanic to go through numerous trials and errors to find a belt that's close enough, and even if you do, there are no guarantees that you won't have any slippage. By the time it's all done, its probably cheaper jto ust get a used Compressor.

Phil

 

PFB, yesterday the compressor seized up and my daughter didn't turn the car off quick enough so the belt basically burned and snapped. So, pretty sure it's the compressor (changed the mag clutch relay before the belt snapped and that didn't do the trick). Anyway, the thing still rides like a dream and the Blue Book is only $2500 or so (hence, my reluctance to have her throw much more into it).

Any idea what it should/would cost to put a used compressor in or is it possible to somehow disengage that pulley so that it simply "spins freely" so that I can keep the belt on the alternator and power steering pulleys?

 

Try this web site. You should be able to find a used AC compressor near you,m in good condition for less than $100,00

http://car-part.com/

Phil