Publisher: Haynes Manuals, Inc.
Authors: John Haynes
List Price: $22.95
Amazon Price: $15.61
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Reviews:
Summary: Rockhopjohn
I have owned 3 Subaru Outbacks, 1996, 1998, and 2004, and I have found this manual to be useful with all of them. I am only doing the home mechanic types of repairs, so for things like changing and bleeding brakes, spark plugs, fuel filters, thermostats, it has saved me a lot of guess work. Not sure I would want it if I had to do a timing belt or head gaskets, or any other sort of major engine tear down. Great manual for GENERAL MAINTENANCE.
Summary: As good as it gets
This manual does pale in comparison to a Bently, but so do all other manuals. I have found that the manual is an excellent guide for anyone with some mechanical know-how, and it provides the most comprehensive information available. There are things that are a little inacurate that I have found, or have seen other sources that contradict how things work... But even the Subaru factory repair manuals have this problem. My major criticism of this manual is it does not get into describing what are 'common' failures; other Haynes manuals that I have picked up ocasionally hinted at what kinds of failures the owner can 'expect' to experience. In my opinion, there should be an section devoted to the whens, whys and hows of headgasket failure, oil seal leaks, and valve cover leaks. My second criticism is that it doesn't explain part numbers, nor does it describe some repair materials well enough; like saying 'anerobic sealant' or 'gasket maker' where Subaru technical manuals very clearly describe what materials should be used.
Combine this with all the documentation that is out there from the major Subaru message boards, and I doubt there is any repair you can't accomplish. Me? I'm replacing my headgaskets, timing belt and a whole lot of seals this weekend.
Summary: It is OK
The book was good enough to guide me for head gaskets replacement. With the book description, a little imagination, and some web sources (especially for torque specifications) I was able to accomplish the work.
The electrical schemes are very general lacking a lot of information (like rear power socket, heated seats, etc.) Some of the diagrams are inaccurate. The one for automatic window switch, for example, on 1997 Outback reverses the contacts for "up" and "down" position.
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