Customer Reviews

Diesel Engine Repair Manual (Haynes Repair Manual)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This manual only covers very basic, simple repair, mostly common sense stuff. Seems like every time I get to a section where I really need a manual, I run into the phrase "this service is best left to a professional diesel mechanic", instead of any constructive information.

After buying a GM 6.5L Diesel on a whim from an auction, I made this techbook my first purchase. I mean, I expected a Haynes manual titled "Diesel Engine Repair Manual" and covering the GM 6.5L Diesel engine to have some measure of information specific to the diesel engine. Boy, was I sorely disappointed.

Take, for example, the subject of the pump mounted driver. This is the solenoid pack that governs the electronic fuel injection pump and it has a notoriously high fail rate (as I discovered through both personal experience and the many, many vehicle forums dedicated to the issue). Does the Haynes manual cover the repair or replacement of the PMD? Nope. Does the Haynes manual give you a diagram of the PMD or label it on a diagram of the injection pump? Nope. But wait, you say, surely the manual references it? Nope. Not even a note in the index. As far as the Haynes manual is concerned, the PMD doesn't exist.

How about routine maintenance? This manual is sorely lacking in that department as well. I flushed my coolant yesterday. Did the Haynes manual offer anything other than the generic "drain fluid, flush radiator, fill fluid" advice? Nope. There was one small picture of a radiator petcock...which the VAST majority of 6.5L systems don't have. I gained access through the upper and lower radiator hoses like everybody else. No thanks to Haynes.

I could go on and on. This manual is filled with generic, non-specific instructions and irrelevant pictures. It's often misleading or vague and I don't even trust what information it does offer anymore because it's been wrong repeatedly.

For goodness sake, there isn't even a single diagram or picture of the 6.5L engine and its components in the book! I mean, really? Not a single picture to say "here's where the air filter normally goes and here's where the glow plugs are and here's the injector lines." Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the detailed troubleshooting guide in chapter two for electrical problems with the glow plug controller...but how about we start by showing a picture of the darned thing (it's a small black box) and perhaps show us in the engine bay where it's normally located.

Unfortunately, I have to say that this Haynes manual actually isn't worth the paper it was printed on.

While this is a Haynes manual, not an in in-depth repair manual it is inexpensive and a time saver, especially if this is your first run at one of the featured engines. It lets you know what your getting into before you start...you can estimate your time. It includes many wiring diagrams and identifies many parts and things that you could figure out on your own, but it might take you a while. Although it is not an in-depth injection pump repair manual-"refer to a professional repair shop" there are many quirky tips like the factory tools for setting things up. Once you see the drawings, you can rig up your own. So the book is cheap, it will save you some time and is worth having on your shelf.

While this manual says that it covers both GM and Ford Diesel Engines, it's readily apparent within the first few pages that this book is written mostly for the GM guys. I bought this book in hopes finding good usable repair information for my '92 F350 7.3 IDI and found it extremely lacking. Sure it has information on tear-down and re-build, however, basic maintenance, repair, and trouble shooting was minimal, at best, for the early IDI Ford Diesels.
Haynes Manuals have been notoriously lacking on content for years (I should have known better), so don't be surprised for frustrated if you can't find the detaild information you're looking for.

Very pleased with this book. Husband used the book's instructions to locate and repair the troubles he was having with his Ford F350 truck.