Is the Haynes manual worth buying for light repair/maintenance?

[Potomac-Greg]

I have no doubt that the 944 factory manual would give me more detail on major work; but I doubt that I'll be doing much more than basic maintenance and repair. Is there another source?

My immediate interest is guidance on draining/filling diff/trans fluid. I did a lot of driving this weekend and the shifting gets better when the fluid warms up, but that seems to take a L O N G time. The prime symptom is a solid (by feel - no noise) resistance and clunk in the 1-2 shift. Matching revs helps. Once warm, it smooths out. So, I am thinking that a diff/trans fluid change to a modern synthetic might help, and is probably due anyway.

PS: I did my oil/filter this weekend. What a breeze. I've never had a car so easy to put on jackstands. The central jackpoint is fantastic. I never really needed to put the car up b/c I use a dipstick sucker to draw out oil, but I wanted to see if any was left in the pan after sucking via dipstick. Less than 1/2 cup was left in the pan, so I'll probably stick with dipstick method.

[VaSteve]

I didn't think I'd be doing amjor work either :lol:. steer your self to clarks-garage.com. Buy the haynes for the pictures. Other than that it suck. swepco is the preferred trans lube.

[HoodPin]

They Haynes manual seems to be the only obtainable book out there (although it doesn't cover that last couple years, which include the 944 S2's). I'm sure factory volumes available, but I've never seen one.

If you're not already familiar, a very good website exists for 944's:

www.clarks-garage.com (http://www.clarks-garage.com)

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Bentley manuals are only about $100 or so. Labor at an area shop is ~$100/hr.

Use the book to do just a single task and it has paid for itself.

[Dr K]

I didn't think I'd be doing amjor work either :lol:. steer your self to clarks-garage.com. Buy the haynes for the pictures. Other than that it suck. swepco is the preferred trans lube.Yeah, not doing any major work (I assume that's what he meant by "amjor"). I was at his house Saturday: Lift, air (TWO compressors), 13-drawer (I think) tool chest filled and organized, and he owns many of the tools I generally borrow.

Greg, watch out for that first step... :D

Peter

[VaSteve]

George...no bentley for a 944. The price exceeds the value of the car! LOL, Dr K.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

George...no bentley for a 944. The price exceeds the value of the car! LOL, Dr K.

No manual for a 944? Who knew?

Personally, I've found Haynes manuals to be less than helpful, with small grainy photos, procedures that lack important details, and no documentation on changes that occurred from one MY to another (or total omission of some models as Tony mentioned) .

I'd want to look at the content of the book before I hand over my shekels.

Disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing about 944's other than the motor's at the wrong end. :p

[VaSteve]

the haynes is the worst of the worst...who procedure (like belts) are "best left to the dealer" what's the point of the book? IIRC jazz said the electrical diagrams were good...or was that the factory manual? I can't recall.

[Trak Ratt]

Not woth it epecially since the link to down load the entire factory manual is up again. Searh the "Technical" section. Better hurry site goes down now and then as the web police close in :p