when I slid the dash lever to AC on '88 740 on this hot St. Louis day, I heard a kind of muffled growl/grunt from under the hood. the air blew cool for about 30 seconds, but then while i was idling at the stoplight, i saw a grayish plume of smoke from the front of the car, and started smelling a kind of oily/sweetish odor coming through the vents. i pulled over and popped the hood, and there was smoke coming from what I think is the compressor, the round unit under the alternator. The belt was still turning, but it was smoking, so i shut the AC off.

Any advice for this nonmechanically inclined car owner on what the problem might be? am i doing damage by driving the car (the AC is off) until i get it checked?

i am also new to St. Louis, and this is my first automotive issue, so does anyone know any Volvo mechanics in St. Louis, the closer to downtown the better, but I'll go to where a good one is.

much thanks for any advice.