Customer Reviews

Volvo 240 Series '76'93 (Haynes Manuals)

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

 

 

Haynes has an admirable reputation for publishing clear, concise repair manuals for automobiles. This particular volume is troubling in its organization, its breadth of model year coverage and its inadequate depth of coverage of engine management systems. Haynes is an English firm, and this is an American published version of the English manual. As a result, this manual is objectionably weak at covering the electronic fuel injection and ignition systems found on most 1983 and newer US model Volvo's - which just happens to be one area of particular interest to most owners - what to do when the "check engine" light comes on. In this reviewer's opinion, the Bentley manual is considerably better. The Chilton manual, though weak on essentials, covers engine management reasonably well.

Like most of the other Haynes' manuals, this is an indispensable item for any car enthousiast. The 240 manual is no exception. Clear descriptions and pictures where you need them. Don't touch the mechanicals of you Swedish Brick without one

I've owned and used these Haynes 240 Series manuals (various editions) for over 15 years. The book is just OK for covering general maintenance and minor repairs but is lacking in many areas.

About a year ago, I purchased the Bentley manual for the 240 and haven't looked at my Haynes since. The Bentley goes into far greater detail in the areas of electrical, fuel injection, and suspension. The troubleshooting section is also more comprehensive.

If you're wanting to buy one repair manual to own for the life of your Volvo(s), spend the little extra money for the Bentley book. The Haynes book just doesn't measure up and Chilton is by far the worst.

I agree with the other reviewers who say the Bentley is the One To Get; however the Haynes 240 book often has more details in its step-by-step instructions and makes fewer assumptions about the reader's experience. In effect the books are complimentary. Before I work on my Volvo, I read the relevant sections from both books.

This manual admittedly tries to cover a broad range of years where the cars went from carbs to injection, so Haynes gets kudos for at least putting something in print. The reality of such an effort, however, is that unless you are doing something so simple that you probably don't need a manual anyway, there are simply too many differences between the years for Haynes to put any detail into areas like injection, pollution controls, etc. For what I needed the manual for, it was completely worthless and there was simply no way to know that without buying the darn thing. Anyone want a used manual?

I'm finding that the Haynes Volvo 240 series manual is handy for cross refrence, using Chilton primarily. Haynes offers a bit different view of some diagrams and helps in understanding wording. Would give an average review.

This manual is weak in certain areas. It is worth the price but the Bentley manual is much better being closer to real shop manual.