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Cameron,
NOOOOOOO! Not oil! Read on...
First, the cycling on/off is proper. The antifrost switch makes the a/c do this to prevent "icing over" in the a/c system and blockage of airflow and is located in among the evaporator fins (inside the cabin air intake box under your hood). This antifrost switch, when working, turns the compressor off when it senses very cold temps in the fins, as when ice could soon accumulate when using the a/c in humid weather. (It also is the reason your a/c won't function below 38°F as my 1984 900's owner's manual says...)
As regards your second question:
Whatever you do, don't spray oil on the compressor! I cannot stress this enough! Oil won't do any good. It might end up on the belts, and then you'll always have a squeak! (And quite possibly a constant squeal!)
In your case it's most likely an a/c belt that is not tightened to the proper tension. The Bentley manual has specifications for belt tension, but a rough guide is that the belt should not deflect ("give") more than 1/4" or 3/8" when pushed in comfortably with a thumb. If the belt isn't tight enough and deflects more than this, you get squeal. Why? When the a/c compressor cycles on (and its clutch engages, making its inner part turn with the pulley motion) the belt will squeal or chirp due to belt slippage. The compressor, which was disconnected from the pulley when the clutch cycled off, suddenly engages, making the belt have to start turning the a/c compressor ALL OF A SUDDEN. It's just like when someone accelerates suddenly and your tires lose traction for an instant--tire chirp.
So, in conclusion, get your a/c belt tightened. A slipping belt, if left long enough like that, will glaze over and slip worse and worse. Inspect your a/c belt and all your belts. If any have cracks in them or threads coming out of them (frayed spots), or look glazed, get them replaced.
--Micah in NC
'84 900S, 239K mi.
posted by 216.77.23...
Click here for my recent post on A/C problems in the 900.
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