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On line repair manual sites


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11rhymesandreasons
New User

Feb 1, 2020, 5:12 AM

Post #1 of 7 (1470 views)
  post locked   On line repair manual sites  

Hi guys,I decided to try one of the online manual sites, Mitchell, using the DIY version that costs $20 for a car for a month. Working on my wife's 2004 PT Cruiser and the problem is a leak at the pressure line where it connects to the power steering pump. So they have a procedure to access the problem and the procedure is flat wrong. The radiator fan has to be removed. They claim you can access by removing the AC compressor without removing the radiator fan. Impossible. I don't care what kind of wrench or custom tool you dream up, there is at least one bolt that is impossible to get without removing rad fan. (And it's not like I'm a complete novice and overlooking something, I've done a lot of repairs on various cars, and some major repairs.)

So if this is wrong, does that mean their labor/hrs book rate is wrong too? I was going to pay for a 4 year subscription for my own car but after this, I'm kind of soured on the idea. My question is this. Is this a common problem with the online manuals? Errors? Or is this kind of rare, and I just happened to get unlucky?

Thanks.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 1, 2020, 8:10 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1465 views)
  post locked   Re: On line repair manual sites  

Just a quick look I just found 3 possible engines for this. That and more will matter of course.
Yes, info can be wrong or you could. Do you have some rare bird? IDK, you tell me if altered or had a chance to be or some wild things like this was sold without A/C at all by chance and fitted later?


Can you tilt items instead of removing things? Lots of reasons it can be wrong or you are just supposed to know optional approaches without it being explained.


Other way is see if there's a PT Cruiser site of it's own as a maybe someone may shed light on a way or that it was routinely changed for a flaw in design that showed up over time not listed in new vehicle original way to any certain thing this or other things?
I trust you can get your money back if just dissatisfied with the info you purchased,


T



11rhymesandreasons
New User

Feb 1, 2020, 8:43 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1457 views)
  post locked   Re: On line repair manual sites  

"3 possible engines" Yes the manual differentiates between them. Anyway, by your comment it sounds like, in your experience, procedural errors in the manual are pretty rare. Well that's good, glad to hear it.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 1, 2020, 9:13 AM

Post #4 of 7 (1453 views)
  post locked   Re: On line repair manual sites  

I've been at stuff so long it's ncuts. Brand new or pre-historic take a hard look at things mechanically attached vs any info.
I've beat the suggested ways or found acceptable non usual ways to save tons of time or make it possible at all.


Access is your problem is the common problems encountered. That or can't even see it nor touch the item really a treat!
Hydraulic things like this it's just possible the routing can be changed finding out with years that part fails early just how it's routed so change that.


This case it's very high pressure so can't allow a failure so any alteration if it came to that incredibly well thought out. AYOR at any alterations for that being what it is there would be special crimper tools and metal bending tools not common to most of the active hands on trade at all! Parts makers and custom work OMG it never ends,


Good luck but don't give up yet there still could be a way you missed if not a tool the approach?


Tom



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 1, 2020, 10:26 AM

Post #5 of 7 (1451 views)
  post locked   Re: On line repair manual sites  

All the information in the manuals comes directly from the manufacturer so the only one you can blame is the manufacturer.

I just checked it in Alldata for the non-turbo engine and the instructions say to access it through the wheel well and yes they say to drop the AC compressor, not the fan.

Technicians often find better ways to do things than the manufacturer recommends.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Feb 1, 2020, 10:27 AM)


11rhymesandreasons
New User

Feb 1, 2020, 12:26 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1438 views)
  post locked   Re: On line repair manual sites  

You know what, I feel like a complete dummy. You CAN access the problem bolt through the wheel well. Lol! Mea culpa! But this is one case I'm glad to find out i'm a dummy. Because now my faith in the manual has been restored, and not only that, they're route saves time over my route. Totally gonna buy the subscription for my other old cars.

Thanks guys!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 1, 2020, 12:30 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1434 views)
  post locked   Re: On line repair manual sites  

Hahaha .................. good luck

If you don't have anything to ask or add, we'll close this as solved.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







 
 
 






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