Volkswagen Vanagon Repair Manual: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

Great information in this old 1983 Vanagon that isn't even findable on the internet. It shows tools necessary for the job and how to avoid problems. One of our top 20 life purchases.

Filled with clear photos and detailed descriptions, the Bentley manual is a mainstay of any VW garage. This is the one the pros use. Everything from replacing bulbs to rebuilding the engine is here. The wiring schematics are nearly worth the cost of the whole book.I have found it a good practice to leave my Bentley on the seat of my Vanagon when I take it in for service, since there are no longer any Vanagon specialists in my area anymore. Yes, it gets used that way! I would rather have a mechanic consult this book than any other source.

This book is the most comprehensive for procedures. Has everything you need to know. However, a word of caution if you are not at least a shade tree mechanic you should also get a companion book like Jon Muir's How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive 19 Ed: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot. This has step by step instructions while the factory manual is just the procedures that dealer technicians are instructed to use. As a bonus this factory manual is cheaper here than from the publisher by about twenty bucks.

Perfect piece of litterature. The only thing that's lacking is support and information for 1.6TD(JX). It does cover the 1.6 nautrally aspirated Diesel, so the fuel system, etc is represented,, but everything regarding the turbo, and to some extent the pump, is not shown at all. Bonus for covering the Syncro drive system really good.

Book is good. almost great. good because it has exploded diagrams of what you are tearing apart. good because all VW shops i have been to have one of these books, and pull them out for reference on the frequent. good because they get grease on there pages and only become to look better. not great because they lack small tech tips like seating your rods. not great because you are left second guessing yourself here and there, only to find yourself eventually figuring it out. not great because there is not a step by step process on how to rebuild your motor from the cam up... but who really wants that anyway. Recommended, but my only regret was i was cheap and bought it on amazon as apposed to my local bookstore or auto retailer.

Let's get something straight right off the bat about this manual, it's the Factory Repair Manual, originally intended for mechanics at the dealership. It assumes you are experienced and already know which end of a screwdriver works. Its not going to teach you 'how' to work on your Vanagon, it's the 'bible' on the repair procedures on for your Vanagon. I suspect the negative reviews for this manual are mostly from 'newbies' and novices. What this manual is most useful for is the factory approved method for servicing your Vanagon, not "Auto Mechanics 101'. So if you're looking for a manual to teach you how to work on your Vanagon, THIS IS NOT IT! On the other hand, if you looking for a manual that explains the factory approved method of working on your Vanagon, with all the necessary details and specifications, "BINGO". Naturally, its a translation of a German manual so you have to take that into account too, a translation is only as good as the translator, trust me, I work for a German company in their US plant and this is a very common problem. So be warned about what you're getting if you order this manual.

Has everything you ever really need to know and more about your Vanagon. Yes it is very technical, but for most of the jobs you would need this book for, if you are doing it yourself to begin with, you can understand it. The hardcover is great also. No need to worry about it getting destroyed easily like the softcover ones. I'd suggest buying it before it gets even more expensive. Although it is very expensive for a book, this thing is thick like a textbook, and compared to most mathematical and science related textbooks for schools, it is a bargain.

Bought this some time ago for our 1991 fully restored VW Vanagon Camper. Sold the VW. The book went with it. The book is superb. Highly recommended by someone who restored the VW bottom to top, front to back. We drove it on camping trips about 15,000 miles. Again, the book is great for preventive maintenance and trouble shooting on the road.