I just wanted to know what your experiences have been with the two manuals above, Chiltons and Haynes. From what I've found is that Chiltons provides superior diagrams and parts sketches, while haynes provides more written explanation with real pictures (altough sometimes crappy). But with the Fiero specifically in mind, what do you guys like?
Also, I've noticed that Chiltons has changed the covers of their manuals over the years. Is the content the same? Should I go for the newer manuals? Or is it simply just a "newer looking cover"?

PS - Yes I am looking to a factory service manual for a good price, so please keep it out of conversation

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My Website
1985 Chevy Camaro Iroc-Z LT1/L98
1986 Pontiac Fiero SE 2m4 - The project begins

I have 4 or 5 Haynes for some of the cars that are around here or were. I find the Fiero book is lacking. The copy I have has pages missing. I got the book used and for free. Looks like when they printed it they left the pages out. I have a Chiltons for our CRXsi and I find that lacking also. I have the factory manual for the Fiero, much better, worth the $100.00! I plan on getting the factory manual for the CRXsi also! my 2 cents worth

I have both and have found mistakes in both. The Haynes is a better book for the Fiero owner, but I find that having both is helpful. A lot of times they detail a process differently and sometimes a combination of both is the best way. I also recommend getting the factory manual as it is best for troubleshooting problems ESPECIALLY check engine light problems.

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- Robert Beaubien
- 87 GT 5-speed (undergoing 3800 Series II SC swap)
- www.fieroexcitement.com

Save your money and don't get either until you find the service manual at a decent price. I have the haynes and it was a waste of money compared to the service manual.

Even with all the pages included, Haynes requires that you read between the lines.
V-6 oil pan removal:
1. disconnect neg cable from battery.
2. raise the vehicle & suppost it on jackstands.
3. Drain the oil.
4. if a standard-remove the clutch cover.
5. if a automatic, remove flywheel shield.
6. remove the starter.
7. remove the oil pan bolts.
8. remove the oil pan-don't pry between the block & pan.
Sounds simple enough--NOT!
the 4cyl section leaves out a few things too-like the fact the exh is going to be in the way.

1. Factory manual
2. Haynes
3. Chiltons

I have all three and go thruogh all of them when getting ready to do a job I've never done. Plus I search in here and go to some other Fiero repair sites.

The factory manual has mistakes too, but it's the BEST thing out there for sure.

In my opinion, the haynes and chiltons are both better than nothing, but not much better.

Phil

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GTDude
OVER 25 years GM experience

I've got a Haynes and a Factory service manual. For electrical work the Factory manual is unbelievably better than the Haynes manual. The factory manual is also better on bodt panel removal.

On the other hand I can find things easier in the Haynes manual and sometimes it tells how to do things without having all the special GM tools. For example on shift cable adjustment the Haynes manual says use two 5/32" drill bits to lock the shifter in postion. The factory manual quotes a part number.

In my opinion I'd buy the factory manual and at least one of the Haynes/Chilton

i need to get a factory manual (do you have to get one for each year?) and i've never come across a chiltons, but i've had or have 3-4 hanes manuals and i've noticed they've edited later editions, especially the wiring diagrams. the new ones have less detailed diagrams where the older ones had some separate pages for 4 and 6 cyl. engines. if you come across an older one i'd get it.

Try these guys.
http://www.factoryautomanuals.com/

Even if their online database doesn't show the manual you need as being available, they may have it, so email them. They will respond in a day or 2. I have purchased manuals for other cars from them and have had excellent service. Prices are half what Helms will charge.

Karl

Bought an 86 Service Manual on ebay 2 yrs ago. Good condition $47.

quote Originally posted by Philphine: i need to get a factory manual (do you have to get one for each year?)

Not absolutely required as there are a lot of similarities between the years. I'd say it depends on what engine/years you have. Like for an 88, there are enough differences that I'd get one specific to the year. Or if you have the DIS 4 cylinder.

Another possibility is the public library. The one by me has Mitchell Repair Guides on computer. They appear to be very similar to the factory guides, with step by step trouble shooting and year/engine specific schematics.

The parts store rags... Haynes/Chilton are general and leave out a huge amount of info. Example: Haynes leaves out all info about the 87-88 DIS L4. Oddly, They mention the balancer unit in the 88 L4 but can't bother to mention that the entire ignition and TBI changed..... (Don't bother talking to Haynes about it... Did that... most arogant a_sholes I've seen in a long time.)

The best book is Helm. These are the exact same book sent to GM dealers. These are year specific to each model. Helm publishes all GM books. Including the Hydromatic and other books for the transmissions/transaxles.

HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even with the Helm book... you need all the TSB's and other data/errata/recall that was added later. The only way to get most of that is by subscribing to ALLDATA or their DIY service. (Popular Mechanics retail CD versions of that data are no longer available.)

Just for example... These TSB's are what my rear brake adjustment procedure is based on. That isn't in the Helm or any other book.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

I'd like to have the factory but I don't. I use the Haynes, I find it easier to use than the Chilton. Though both of those are rather vauge at time. The Haynes makes a pretty good general reapair aid. I start going through so many of them, because they get all mest up from grease and oil in the garage that I finaly scanned it and made a PDF out of it. That way I just print out the pages I need when I need them.