Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Outside air unit making noise???

Living in USDA zone 7b, in Memphis TN, it's about that time of year . . . I started the air unit last evening after work (it's a Carrier) and it made a strange, rather loud whining noise. I know I can call someone to service the unit (usually consists of only cleaning and inspection) but that is also close to $200--unless there is a current special running by a local service provider.

As an alternative, I looked online and got guidance on doing the cleaning portion myself, but one thing is confusing . . . it says you should hit the "oil cups" as well, and I don't know to what they are referring. Without visual instructions, I don't have confidence that I'll know what I'm doing. What parts need to be oiled? Etc.

Lastly, is it a common occurrence for the air unit to whine like that at the first of the season? (My nephew and I just cleaned the roof off last weekend, and a pile of total crap fell on the unit . . . I'm assuming it may just be very dirty).

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide, especially with tips on cleaning the unit.

Have a great weekend!

All that stuff off the roof------ did you get it all off the AC unit?? Did you let any of it get in side the condenser unit there? With the power off go inside it and get all of the junk out. I tell the people to take a little stick and see if the fan will turn before they turn the AC on. Lots of times a bug can lock up the fan and you burn the motor out.
Oil the motor--- if I said yes --- there will be no oil ports. and if I said no there will be oil ports. Look and see if you have a small little plug by the ends of the fan motor bells if you do pull them out and oil it Use a # 10 oil not a 3in 1 oil and put them back in. Just where is this whine at do you know?;) ED

Dear greatguy--

In addition to Ed's advice, I would ask you how old is the unit (warranty work may be involved) and when was the last time the unit was serviced. I understand wanting to save the cost of a service call but it's always best and cheaper to have the unit maintained/inspected periodically as recommended by the manufacturer than to wait for problems to occur because one thinks the unit is working ok.

Hope this helps...let us know :)

Thanks guys for your responses . . . just when you think you've given all possible details, some question comes up. lol The unit itself is only 7 years old. It works like a charm (you can hang meat in this house during the summer, hot as it is outside!) I had it serviced just year before last, and I get it done bi-annually versus annually. I'll bet when all the old leaf crud, and dirt, acorn hulls, leaves, etc. all that crap not just literally but actually "hit the fan" it left some grimy residue that may be affecting it. I will turn off the power, yank the metal cover, and use my leaf blower/ vacuum and a water hose to clean the thing out. If not any better, a service call will be in order.

Thanks again for your assistance!!!

I appreciate it.