Date:         Fri, 2 Jun 2006 23:46:22 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Bentley vs. Haynes Manual  (Was: Haynes Manual for Vanagon
              available from UK)
In-Reply-To:  <00be01c686ab$b2447bc0$647ba8c0@MAIN>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>>  Fortunately I was able to confirm the existence 
>>  of a Haynes manual for the Transporter  to 1991 (does not 
>>  cover the diesel) covering our '84 1.9L water cooled version. 
>>  I have ordered it and details below.  It appears not to be 
>>  available in the States, so I ordered it from the UK. 

> I believe the Bentley was intended to be a mechanic's shop 
> manual. In that case knowledge of most basic things would be 
> assumed....
> Out of curiosity, I looked at a the water pump procedure in a 
> Haynes I have for another vehicle, and there were 7 steps for 
> removal, which in short amounted to moving/removing the stuff 
> in the way.


The Bentley was indeed written primarily for professional mechanics, which
can sometimes make it difficult to follow if you're not one. The Haynes is
written primarily for backyard mechanics, but it is not as complete as the
Bentley (which covers practically everything in the van).  I often refer to
both, essentially using the Haynes as a "Cliff's Notes" companion to the
Bentley.

We sell both the Bentley and the Haynes (the latter for MUCH less than it
costs to order it from the U.K.). The Bentley is a must. Even if you don't
do your own repairs at all, if you travel long distances in your Vanagon you
should keep one with you. If you get stuck in the middle of nowhere and the
only mechanic in the area has never worked on a Vanagon, you will want to
hand him this manual rather than having him "wing it."  On the other hand,
for only $25 the Haynes will pay for itself the first time it helps you do a
repair yourself that seemed too complicated in the Bentley.  So it's really
worth having both.

<http://busdepot.com/view.jsp?model=43&category=23&group=-1&prodgroup=-1>

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

_____________________________________________
Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT