Air Conditioner squeal, compressor or belt tensioner?
 

My car was squealing terribly last year when my AC compressor came on so my mechanic removed the AC compressor belt and the noise was gone (but so was the AC). I am about to do my timing belt and the kit I bought from Blauparts comes with all new belts and belt tensioners (including the AC belt and tensioner).

Prior to my AC belt being removed, it was replaced with a new belt and that didn't stop the noise so I have ruled out the belt. I am thinking it is either a bad belt tensioner, or a bad compressor. My car is a 2000 with 215,000 km's on it to give you an idea of age of compressor.

If anyone has gone through this before, was it your AC compressor or was it your belt tensioner? Is there a way, once I have the front end opened up for the timing belt job, to test the compressor to see if it's the culprit?

Any other advice on this subject would be kindly welcomed.

Thanks in advance!