Dark Lightning

Seeing as Bentley has not yet released the 944/951 manual, where can I get a 1988 951 factory service manual short of a dealer? Someone has to sell them slightly cheaper. If I am forced to go to a dealer, what kind of price should I expect?

Thanks.

Matt H

FSMs are no more than the Bentley manuals for my BMW. IMHO, if you are looking into a manual and dont know what you are looking at you shouldnt be messing with. Sorry. This is filed away as a who cares in my book.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Matt H

They are no longer available at the dealer (see also eternal backorder) and you need the FSM PLUS the Turbo supplement. PM me, I might know where you can get a copy.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Dave951M

They are out there on CD. PM me with questions.

wjk_glynn

Hi Barry,

Clark Fletcher has an excellent site with many procedures for the 944/951...

See the Garage Shop Manual at http://www.clarks-garage.com

Karl.

Giantviper

awsome cannot wait till it comes out so i can suppliment my haynes manual

Skip

FWIW, the current list price for the 6-volume 944 FSM is 570.24. Don't you all call at once, now.

JerryW

Skip, Do you actually have them in stock now ? Everywhere I tried to contact had them on eternal backorder.

Dark Lightning

While I'm still picking myself up off the floor, what's the list price on the turbo supplement?

Matt H

For 400.00 I have a 5 volume set minus supplement
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

epbrown01

No, I think the other poster has had the same experience as me: the factory service manuals assume previous experience with the car, so they don't take you through procedures step-by-step. They say stuff like "The alternator is bad, to remove it disconnect the 2 wires at the back and remove the two 10mm bolts at the rear and the one 12mm at the front; installation is the reverse of removal" without saying that to get to it you have to remove about 5 other components or the steps needed to do so.* That info would be obvious to someone that takes 944s apart for a living, and frustrating to someone working on his first one in the driveway. Aftermarket manuals fill those knowledge gaps in, at the very least by cross-referencing the supplementary procedures.

Emanuel
* Never removed an alternator so these steps are made up as an example...

Matt H

My point is that if you need step by step instructions there is a good chance you shouldnt be doing it yourself to begin with. Aftermarket manuals in general tend to give the other steps but still dont give you a step by step. Here is an example: Heater Core Removal 1988 Ford Mustang

FSM:
Step 1) Remove dash
Step 2) Remove heater core, carefully detach XX
Step 3) Install is reverse of removal

Haynes
Step 1) Remove center console
Step 2) Remove radio
Step 3) Remove Dash
Step 4) etc, etc.

NEITHER is step by step, the FSMs just dont mention that dash removal requires center console, radio, steering column (drop, not remove). NEITHER tells you that the 11 hour job can be done in 2 hours if you drop the column into the drivers seat, undo the fasteners holding the dash at the top, swing the dash forward into the seat.

I have never seen an aftermarket manual that would offer what you are looking for. To be blunt the FSMs for the 944 are pretty darn good and like I said before, if you need step by step instructions there is a good chance you shouldnt be messing with it. Automotive repair isnt exactly cooking with a recipe
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Granite 944

I have to agree with you on this. Can you imagine how big, bulky, and expensive to buy, something like this would be if you could even remotely get one? I don't think its possible to cover every step in detail on most repair procedures just because of the multitude of possible situation problems, tricks of the trade issues (more than one way to skin a cat things). Needless to say, all of us that use these manuals, all have different tool collections, general mechanical experience and such. The aftermarket manuals have to be written keeping all this in mind, so I don't think its possible.

Patience, logical analytical skills (not always my specialty), and research skills, is what makes working on any car a challenge and fun. At least thats how I feel woking on my P cars. Besides, one of the best resources for advice and help with these cars, is right here on this forum. And you don't always get a full step by step answer here either. Any book/manual is just another reference tool, with maybe just another twist on the same thing. The more the better!. So......... (any and all you can get)..............and I'll buy the Bently when its available too!

Uranium-235

I have Bentley's for two VW's (that I no longer own, but I kept the manuals because who knows?) and would love one for my '83 944. I have the Haynes, and its pretty useless. Read the section on tensioning the cam/balance belts: (to paraphrase) - You can't afford the tool, go to a dealer. <--- That's the attitude I don't like in Haynes' manuals.

Kilomph

Any updates on this bentley manual? I went to their website and they only have the 911 service manuals listed. I'm not planning on buying a 944T for another year, but I want to learn as much as possible before hand.