No comments about Volvo 120 and 130 Series and 1800 Sports, 1961-1973 (Haynes Manuals).

No comments about Volvo 740 and 760 (Petrol) 1982-91 Service and Repair Manual (Haynes Service and Repair Manuals).

No comments about Volvo 1800-120 WSM (Workshop Manual Volvo).

5 comments about Clymer Volvo Penta Stern Drive Shop Manual: Stern Drive Shop Manual 1994-2000.

1. This book is very informative for a guy like me not knowing much about boat engines.



2. If you are looking for a marine repair manual you probably have some mechanical skill but not so much you want to completely rebuild right down to the crankshaft. This book does the exact opposite. Wasted pages on the basics of four cylce combustion (who is there that would not already know but still care?), chapters on using micometers on everything from pistons to bearings (something usually only done in rebuild shops). But there is very little information the average boat owner can use. Little or incorrect information on replacing risers, pumps or stern drive removal.
   The Seloc manual is a much better choice although it has many of the same sins, just less so. The Seloc also has much more complete tune up information. The factory manuals have better illustrations than either manual but are harder to find.



3. Being an ASE Cert. Master Auto Technician with over forty years experience, I was looking for a good shop manual for my boat. The engine is a Volvo 4.3 V6 with a Holley Marine carb...no big deal. The outdrive is other than what I've had experience (brand) with and I felt it would be a good thing to have specific repair information for it. The Internet (Marine Parts Express) gave more information (for free) on what I was looking for than this "Paper Paperweight" did. I found (in my opinion), the information it contained to be generic and useless. For the unskilled it might serve a purpose, for me, it's a paperweight.



4. We actually borrowed this book from the library several times before we realized we couldn't live with out it! :) It is very informative with clear pictures and precise directions. Very well put together.



5. I bought this book about 6 weeks ago so I could get help to winterize my boat the first year. But what I used it for first was to find out why my engine was getting hot. It gave me a few ideas then it told me it could be the impeller sure enough problem found. It told me step for step even down to having four bolts in the housing and even a direction to turn. WOW $80.00 an hour saved, the book has already paid for it's self Thank's AMAZON and CLYMER.

4 comments about Volvo 740 & 760: 1982 thru 1988 (Haynes Repair Manual).

1. I searched the entire book and found no infomation on how to service or troubleshoot the high beam switch. I did see the turn signal portion but no information on the high beam switch.



2. Trying to follow the electrical diagrams in this book will reveal its limitations. Other sections seem a bit brief also. However, with the exception of the Volvo factory books, this is the best general reference that I have found. The factory books are purchased seperately, and are meant to go into a binder. To buy all the factory books for the 740 would cost over $3000, making this book a bargin!



3. Although there have been a few things that I was interested in that were not included in the book, for the most part it's a sufficient repair manual. I'm a very inexperienced mechanically, but I've been able to do quite a bit of work on my 740s using this book. It does cover stuff that I wouldn't even think of doing though---including pulling the tranny apart...



4. I've owned 2 Haynes books. This one for a Volvo 740 GLE, and another for a Mercedes 240D. Bought both used, and must say that niether was worth their corresponding 5 or 6 bucks.

   Use the brickboard instead. Their information is much more complete, and it's free.

   The front of this book says based on the teardown of a car. Well, not sure what they tore down but it sure as heck wasn't anything remotely resembling my Volvo.

   What is in this book talks mostly about the V6 models, rather than the B230 derivatives. ( Which probably makes up 90% of all the volvos supposedly covered )

   After initially attempting to use this book as a reference for changing my water pump, its pages are now reserved for sopping up spilled coolant. It is sufficiently inaccurate, that taking detailed notes and just 'winging it would have probably yielded better results.

   For example, no mention of removing the timing belt cover to get access to the last bolt on the water pump. No mention that if you happen to drop that nut, it goes straight into the lower shroud, and can not be retrieved without hours of additional work. -Yep- did it.

   The brickboard, does mention these things. So, the fact that a branded HowTo book doesn't is kind of telling as to what actually goes into creating their books. I can't emagine they used a Volvo certified mechanic, because he/she would have made sure these things were mentioned.

   Another example is changing the belts. Try detensioning the A/C unit and get the belts off the way they suggest. Notice anything missing?

   I am sincerely glad, that my local EMT's don't have their ambulances maintained with books from these people.

   I had a toyota and spent $75 on the factory manual. It was worth it. I eventually got the 123 body Mercedes factory guide on CD. It was exceptional. I will be using the brickboard for this car, and will spring for the factory manual if I ever get to the point where I need it.

   But I never, again will waste money on a haynes product.

5 comments about I'm Too Sexy for My Volvo: A Mom's Guide to Staying Fabulous!.

1. Read a preview and just loved it. A great new writer!



2. This book is funny and there are so many bits of advice you can really follow and share. The style of writing is really unique and fun.
   
   This is a really great for single moms, too.



3. A must-read for all new moms, or anyone else who wants to laugh at the author's advice/misadventures/successes in her zany, thoroughly modern life. I can't wait for Betty Londergan's next book!!



4. Finally! A book that tells parenting like it is - a difficult, never-ending set of hurdles that can only be safely overcome by adopting a seriously frivolous attitude. Forget trying to be perfect - this book tells you how to stay SANE in that first year, and the advice Londergan gives really works. I LOVE it! I gave it to two new moms who were already guilt-tripping and en route to prozac because they felt so inadequate and so unlike all those perfect moms they'd seen on TV. They were deeply relieved - and about a zillion times happier - when they realised their feelings were totally normal and started putting some of Londergan's great secret tips into action (her hilarious but effective tried-and-tested tips include the best her friends know, too).
   She's also brilliant at identifying all the pointless worries we moms nurture and telling you how to stop, re-track and grope your way - laughing - back to feeling human and even great again. And how to genuinely fall in love with your baby, which only really happens once all the pressure is off.
   I would totally recommend this book to anyone having their first baby who wants to know how real women become real, happy moms.



5. After reading the editorial review which stressed this was a book for "birth and the years beyond", about "pregnancy and parenting" I incorrectly assumed it would be a fun read for me as the mom of a two-year-old. Probably it would have been a great read before I had my baby, but once you've been through it you've pretty much figured out all this stuff yourself - even if it is much more cleverly and humorously expressed by the author.

No comments about Clymer Volvo Penta: Stern Drives Shop Manual 2001-2004 (Clymer Marine Repair) (Clymer Marine Repair).

2 comments about Volvo 1800 : The Complete Story.

1. I have an 1800ES. I found the book to be a decent history produced by a credible source. If you like older Volvos you will appreciate having this book.



2. Overall the book is quite good. Volvo enthusiasts will probably find the history of the 1800s production to be quite interesting. I'd consider this book to be a worthwhile addition to your library. Future editions though could benefit from more photos, including images from the early prototype stage of the car, such as the designers sketches.
   
   If you're interested in the history of the car, you'll like this book. But on the other hand if you're expecting to find out much information regarding restoring an 1800 I'd look elsewhere - the workshop manuals and exploded part by part lists for the car are available free to download via the internet.

2 comments about Volvo (Haynes Classic Makes).

1. It is pretty easy to say that this is one of the best books on Volvo currently available, because I know of few others. That said, the book is only a broad-brush overview of the brand. There is little detail about any of the models, but the newer models (really everything from the 240 series onwards) are given very brief treatment. There isn't even enough in the book to be clear about the distinction between the 700 and 900 series. An earlier book (Volvo: A cavalcade 1927-2000) at least had production numbers for the 240 series, although it shared the same weakness of generality with this book. This is a good book for someone who wants a pleasant one-evening overwiew of Volvo cars. I wait for someone to write a badly-needed more substantial treatment of these wonderful cars.



2. All I can say is, if you are a Volvo fanatic like myself this is a must have! Beautiful and informative.

3 comments about Clymer Volvo Stern Drive Shop Manual, 1968-1993.

1. The manual's title is misleading. It only covers gasoline engines. I have a 1983 Volvo Diesel Stern Drive and it isn't covered in the text.



2. I ordered the book hoping for information on the engine. However, it is better than the automotive books in my opinion. I have been working on cars for over thirty years and have gotten many manuals. However, I have never owned a boat before and bought this hoping it would give some information on the engine. I think it is better than the Clymer auto manuals. It doesn't cover diesels as another person pointed out, nor cover informtation on the boat itself. It covers all the aspects of the engine and drive system only, but very detailed.I am very pleased with it.



3. This book did help me out a lot with some work I was doing to my boat. I think most critically it will tell you what's important or what steps should be taken. I'd have to say, most of the work I did would not require the book but it did aid in a couple of areas.
   
   However, there are parts where it does not explain things very well. Such as "Use the tool to remove the part" which only tells you that you need a tool and to remove it. I found at times I had to figure out how certain things would need to be removed. Doing some searching on Google I found my answers.
   
   There are helpful tips and tricks in the book. It's almost like talking with a mechanic who is telling you how to do the job. The difference is, you're bound to have a question or two.