How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive : A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot [Paperback]

John Muir (Author), Tosh Gregg (Author), Peter Aschwanden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997

For novice and veteran mechanics alike, this book has provided humorous, step-by-step repair and maintenance instructions for all air-cooled VW's built through 1978 for over 25 years. This edition contains a new section on the electrical system, plus a revised resource list of VW clubs, magazines, books, and parts suppliers. 300 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 467 pages
• Publisher: John Muir Pubns; 17th edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156261343X
• ISBN-13: 978-1562613433
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Foreign

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent repair manual! Buy it if you like your VW!, November 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive : A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

Commonly referred to as the "Idiot Manual" or the "Muir Book" among VW fanatics. It covers all air cooled VW models. It is a book that I love and cherish! It is different than any other auto manual you've ever see. It is aimed at the complete idiot! It has NO pictures and only hand drawings and illustrations. This makes all illustrations very clear because it leaves out all the extraneous stuff that photos include. It has lots of text but this is a good thing. John Muir is an old hippie that loved his VW's. He instills this love in all his readers as well. This book's strong point is teaching this love of your car as well as teaching you the ongoing maintenance. I feel the tune-up and maintenance portion of this book is better than the other books. The other big plus of this book is that it's just plain fun to read. I've read it cover to cover a few times. It's that entertaining! The only weak part of this book is for serious (professional) mechanic's who want a technical manual for ALL parts of the bus. for example, here is an actual quote from the book. "The trans (transaxle) overhaul is not in this book. Not only can't you do it but we won't either." I don't mind that one bit! I couldn't do it so I appreciate them telling me. It covers the basic maintenance and repair (99% of anything you will need done on your car/bus) in a clearer, step by step, way than any other book. If I had to have only one repair book, this would be it, without question.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book! A must for the mechanically declined, March 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive : A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

This book is near the top of my all-time best books list. My brother gave me a copy of this book when my first Beetle engine threw a rod. It enabled me (a 17-year-old overhaul virgin) to completely overhaul the engine by myself. 17 years later, it's very dog-eared, but has helped me through several overhauls, and has given me the confidence to tackle a Bug restoration. If you can only afford one VW book, this is it. Doesn't cover body work much, but the mechanical system description and illustrations will appeal to anyone funky enough to own an air-cooled VW. I'm pleased to see that it is still in print. John Muir is gone now, but he lives large in my estimation!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love da Book, it has saved my life and limb more than once!, August 20, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive : A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

It all began in 1970, with my first VW, a 1967 Squareback, found in a backyard in our nation's capitol. I had to replace all hoses,belts and external gaskets, plus overhaul the dual Solex carbs(not covered bu the Guide!) just to get that babe running. It was worth it! That $200.00 car took me and my sweethart to the Grand Canyon and further, and was sold to a man who had a lot of money and time on his hands. The "Guide" has helped me through 14 or so VW's, including a "66 Ghia, '78 2 liter van and a 412 4-speed wagon(actual German edition). Now I own an '81 Vanagon, an '84 rabbit deluxe, and several parts cars on my property. Thanks be to John Muir