Air Con bearing noise

[Bee_rad]

Hi all,
Newbee poster here, but I have been reading the threads for a little while and found this forum very helpful. I've done a search but couldn't find any threads that seemed to match my issue.
My '05 VZ V6 has just developed a noise in the air con, a bearing I believe. I'm confident it is the air con as the bearing noise only appears when I turn the air con on. I haven't run the air con for a month maybe, I try to run it regularly but been slack.
I suppose my question is two-fold.
1) Does it sound like I'm right, it being an air con bearing, and
2) Is it a problem driving the car, providing I keep the air con OFF. No noise if air con is off.

As I'm currently "between positions" if I don't have to get the air con fixed straight away I'd like to save the money.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[holdenvtman1123]

sounds like the clutch bearing on the a/c compressor, u will be ok to run while off.

 

[Bee_rad]

Thanks holdenvtman
I can't believe it, but when I started her up today to have a listen, not a bloody sound. I'm thinking it might have been some crud in the bearing that just needed a run to get rid of. Or it could just be teasing and about to seize up. Anyway thanks for your reply.

 

[Immortality]

It's ok to not use the AC but it pays to run it at least once a week as this keeps the lubricating oil moving which stops the seals hardening and leaking out the gas.