Well, we've made it through the worst of the Summer Blast Furnace temperatures here in Houston again, but in prep for next year I'd like to get these problems resolved. The car is a 2007 XC90 3.2L FWD with 155k on the odo.

The problem we're experiencing, put simply, is that the A/C doesn't blow cold air, even when the temp control is set to max cool. It blows, at best, cool air, so it is working -- somewhat. We took it to our Volvo mechanic a while back for this problem. They purged the system and blew out anything that may have been fouling the condenser and perhaps a few other things --- it's been a while ago now, and I don't recall the specifics anymore. All I do recall is their "service" cost us almost $300 and we saw zero improvement in performance. So I'm wondering what my Volvo guy missed, and if it's perhaps something I can do to get this car to blow cold air.

Any ideas?

 

The 6 cyl engines use a variable displacement compressor. A common failure is the displacement control valve. I'd be suprised if your "Volvo guy" was not aware of it. But in all fairness the 6 cyl and v8 are the only two Volvo engines where it is used. That technology is used on many other brands of car however - VW uses it without a clutch on some cars. This can be a DIY job - but the system has to be empty, so the freon has to be recovered and recharged.

Google "compressor displacement valve"