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Automotive Repair manuals and factory service manuals.; Use all sources to make you a better mechanic.
Topic Started: Dec 13 2012, 04:51 AM (1,546 Views)
Memphis metro


A lot of people hate on the haynes automotive repair manuals and dismiss them completely. While they of course are not the geo bible material the factory manual is, I believe they serve a purpose as well. I believe all sources of information can be absorbed in the repair of automobiles. As for specifications, the factory manual is the best source but haynes has a lot of actual photos that can be of great value not to mention sometimes a little differant way of doing a job that can make things easier and still accomplish the job. Say all this to say, haynes has a place and are helpful in the full scope of the search for information concerning the repair of automobiles. Read more than one source and become more knowledgable. Each source has something differant to offer and can be valuable. Some manuals such as haynes even makes special manuals that teach how systems work such as Airconditioning Service and theory. Going into details of the theory of how it works. Factory service manuals on the other hand usually come from a view that the mechanic already knows the principle and how the systems work and go straight to repair procedures. I went to school for automotive repair several years ago and had to have a school book for the class. This school book provided a wide range of very helpful information about automotive repair that you will not find in a factory service manual. Just take brakes for instance. It taught about hydralic as well as air brakes. ABS brakes. Differant types of master cylinders as well as boosters and combination valves. In other words, this resource taught of many types of the same systems. Taught of many types of engines, rotary, diesel, Gas (slant,inline,vblock), fuel injected, carburated. Taught many types of differant ac systems and componets in differant cars such as ford, chrysler, chevy. As for specific car repair, take all sources for your car and year model into account as well as the factory service manual.

Heres one type of example. A couple of years ago I worked on a mans truck that had a 5.4L triton engine in it. This engine had a flawed design sparkplug that would break upon removal. Ford has a service procedure in their factory service manual that was long and drawn out and costly to remove these broken plugs. Upon research of other sources, I found their had been made from another individual besides ford a tool and removal procedure that made the removal of these broken plugs quick and easy and less expensive than what ford called for in their factory service manual. Factory service manuals do not always provide the best repair options on their products.

Heres a more recent example
Recently replaced a timing chain and guides on a toyota forerunner 22re engine. The toyota factory serivce manual says to do this job to remove the head from the engine. Upon research of other sources of information concerning timing chain and guide replacement, found that this can be accomplished without pulling the head, therefore saving time and making the job easier to accomplish the same goal. I opted for the none head removal procedure and in the process did not have to disrupt the head/block relationship and saved a lot of time and still accomplished my goal of timing chain and guide replacement. Following toyotas factory service manual would have made this job a lot more exhaustive and costly to accomplish the same thing. Therefore making the factory service manual not the best option and advice for this repair.


Even the people of this forum provide valuable information based on real life working experience on geo metros and short cuts, you just will not find in a factory service manual or any repair manual. Learning is a good thing and using every source is a good thing too.





:news :news
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idmetro
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I agree there is info to be gathered from everywhere. My issue with Chilton and Haynes is when they have things abjectly wrong - like the firing order for a G10.
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Memphis metro


idmetro
Dec 13 2012, 05:53 AM
I agree there is info to be gathered from everywhere. My issue with Chilton and Haynes is when they have things abjectly wrong - like the firing order for a G10.
I understand. I have referenced many haynes manuals for many cars and overall the information has been truthful. While we know the timing order is wrong in the geo manual, that doesnt mean its wrong for every haynes manual. Even factory service manuals have misprints. I have seen them. It is unfortunate though to have this flawed information in any source. Yet and still as I said above for specifications and numbers, it usually is best to reference the factory service manuals. ;)



:news :news :news :news :news :news :news :news
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Memphis metro


Haynes is one of the few manuals that has pictures where as most repair manuals have drawings. You know what they say, a picture tells the story.
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Memphis metro


On the subject of service manauls. Should anyone have a FSM for a 92 metro and got rid of your metro and dont need it anymore, I would like to have one. ^o)
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2000Firefly1.3L
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great post OP
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GeoMetroMeister
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Thats something I should look into getting is a repair manual. :news
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PedroMetro
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I've been using my factory service manual for my 96 4 auto and all is well. Gotta start on checking all the sensors. All new suspension & turbine tech brace.
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chevystrong90
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I was actually looking into buying a Haynes manual for my geo. 25$ not bad in my area.

Where would I obtain a factory service manual. My owners manual(Yes I still have it) has a piece of paper in the back if you fill it out and send them 45$ they will send you a factory service manual but I don't know if they still accept that option as that was almost 11 years ago. That's the only way I know how to get one of those manuals. Unless I try ebay.
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idmetro
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ebay is the most likely source for a FSM. Good Luck!
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xzn2p3
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So besides the FSM, which is the better option Chilton or Haynes?
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Memphis metro


xzn2p3
Feb 15 2014, 10:07 AM
So besides the FSM, which is the better option Chilton or Haynes?
For a metro, I only have the FSM, and haynes of which I recieved both free :) . The FSM from a forum member and the haynes out of a geo I bought. So for a metro, I can not tell you which would be preferred out of chiltons or haynes. Generally with other models chiltons seems to be more exhaustive. Again, each manual brings it on qualities and each manual contains its own errors, including the FSM. Your local library is usually a good source for the haynes or the chiltons to borrow instead of having to purchase a manual.
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xzn2p3
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Thanks, went ahead and picked up a good used Chilton from Amazon for less than $10 with shipping.
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Since1990
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I had a FSM for a 1965 Chevy PU, back when I had the truck. It was a spectacular publication in that it not only explained what to do, along with illustrations, but WHY.

Despite its abysmal fuel economy, that truck had one of the lowest cost/mile ratios of any vehicle I've ever owned. A decade after I bought it, it sold for what I paid for it.
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