Just acquired an 07 and very happy with it.
One issue was the air con which I had recharged yesterday. Great I thought, brilliant cold air, however strange noises after a couple of miles and pulling over, smoke from under the bonnet. Nicely cooking alternator belt. Annoying as just fitted a new one

1) If I remove the elec. feed to the compressor I assume I am allowing the pulley to idle so the car should be OK to drive until I get it fixed?
2) Because the problem goes away and the pulley on the end of the compressor is stationary I am concluding that the pulley is not the issue. Is this a reasonable assumption?
3) Should I conclude that the compressor is toast (seized?) or could a mistake in the regas cause this?
4) Is there a lower cost replacement than the landrover part. I am assuming Ford mondeo/transit parts go in?
Advice from the more experienced very much appreciated. Can the compressor be serviced/repaired
Nige

I had an AC compressor seize on my 07 about 5 years ago.

Got so hot , plenty of smoke and he drive belt snapped and ended up getting a refurbished compressor - still not cheap.

However...

Have you tried switching off the AC? Under normal conditions this would disengage the AC clutch allowing it to 'free wheel' thus allowing the pulley to run freely. If this is the case then at least you can drive the car.

If you had the regas done at a specialist rather than Halfords or the like then I would get it back to them to diagnose the fault.

Some where on this site is a post about how some makes of AC compressor are prone to becoming very noisy when the gas pressure falls - I think I now have one of these as I have to get it regassed every 12 months! Tattoos - Why would you choose to look like the wall of a public toilet?

Thanks Mr toad
Now looking at options for repair.
Looks like it might make sense to replace other parts in the system as well in case any fragments went downstream.
Currently weighing up the ebay 2nd hand v pattern part option.

How much was your repair?
Rgds
N

If I remember correctly it cost about £670 !!! But it happened away from home when we were at our daughters in Surrey - so it was London prices.

I don't think you need to replace anything else other than the compressor - I think I am correct in saying that the compressor is the same as that used in a Mondeo?

It could be just the clutch that has seized and they are replaceable and cost of part approx. £40

New compressors are available from £370 on eBay, plenty of secondhand ones but you don't know what you are buying.

Best of luck getting it fixed. Tattoos - Why would you choose to look like the wall of a public toilet?