Can you please help me diagnose this? My AC Compressor makes a chattering noise when engaged. I am trying to figure out if this is a clutch replacement or the whole compressor.

I took this video it it helps"

I will not be running the compressor as a precaution. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

could be the pulley bearing going bad or the whole unit. Take the belt off and spin pulley by hand, if ok then it the compressor going bad

 

The noise may be caused bythe tensioner.

 

Quick update. I took the belt off and the AC pulley spins freely with no side to side play. I can turn the outer clutch by hand and the compressor turns by hand..

I took it to a local mechanic I found on Craigslist, and he thinks the AC compressor is starved of oil and on in the early stages of going out...

I did find a lose idler pulley, it is the grooved idler pulley, but when I listen to the noise it sounds like it is coming from the compressor..

I might see if I can find an automotive stethoscope to pinpoint the noise more precisely... Is there anything i can do in a last ditch effort to see if it is the clutch before I have my mechanic replace the whole AC system??

 

I think he is right. if you don't have money to fix it and don't need ac, disconnect the power to it. The clutch will not be the problem.