A/C Compressor problem

[daemi]

Hi,
I have recently run into a noise problem with my 06 H3 80000KM on the hour, The noise sounds like when metal on metal runs, squeezing sound and it gets louder when I hit the accelerator and sometimes it goes off!
I have already changed the water pump and the belt tensioner but the sound its still there!
Now my garage says it might be the A/C compressor. I just saw that even the A/C is off the coupling is getting in to run the compressor, however it seems that it takes some time to do one turn for the compressor.
Did anyone have ever problems with the A/C compressor?
My Garage is now searching for a shorter belt to run the H3 without the A/C compressor to see if the sound will go away (I hope so)!
Any thoughts are appreciated.

Damiano

[HUMTECH]

Take the belt off and turn the pulley by hand, should spin freely

[daemi]

Thanks Humtech for your advise.
It does not spin freely, and without the A/C compressor (shorter belt) the noise is gone!
So I did order a new Compressor and hope the noise problem is solved!

[daemi]

After changing the A/C Compressor the noise is gone!!