IPD has the book the "Volvo Problem Solver" currently on sale for $63. Has anyone purchased this book? Is it worth the investment? Does it add much more than the Bentley manual? Appreciate any feedback.

I have both the Problem Solver and Bentley's. I have found the bentley's manual more informative overall, than the Problem Solver. The Problem Solver has a lot of great info if you are driving a mid 80's or older 240, though it does have some early 740 info.

I have got some useful info on shortcuts from the Problem Solver, but would not purchase another one knowing what I know now. I would, however, suggest you strongly consider the purchase of the Bentley manual if you have a 240 series car.

The Volvo service manuals are helpful, but unlike the Bentely, you will have a series of volumes to collect.

Here's my personal list of Volvo reference material for the half-serious DIY'r.

For service and repair technical info:
#1 Volvo -service manuals, bulletins and pocket data booklets
#2 Bentley -manual (unfortunately 240's only)
#3 Haynes -manual
#4 AllData -old CD (from Popular Mechanics) or current on-line system (free access at many public libraries)
#5 Chilton's -manual(s)
#6 Internet -see links below
distant #7 The Volvo Problem Solver -book and tape
A proper Volvo wiring diagram (not just a schematic) for your exact model and year is highly recommended. Either get it from Volvo or you may luck out and find it reprinted in one of the other manuals.

For troubleshooting:
#1 Internet -web pages (esp. club sites), Q&A areas (esp. their archives), news groups, ...
__a) BrickBoard -search then ask
__b) SwedishBricks -mail and FAQ
__c) =Steve Ringlee's 700/900 Maintenance FAQ -it's good for 240's too
__d) alt.autos.volvo newsgroup
__e) The Volvo Lovers Web Ring -links galore
__f) Volvo on the Net for a hundred other good sites (in amongst hundreds of non-technical personal pic sites)
#2 Volvo -service manuals and bulletins
#3 The Volvo Problem Solver -book
#4 A local 240 DIY'r or friendly mechanic -bribery helps

All that depends on what kind of work you're willing to do, your level of expertise, model vintage and condition, and of course your budget. I'm sure I've missed some. Tomorrow I might give you a different list.

Just MHO though. Others have good comments.

I've got one which was given to me for free from a generous benefactor who got out of 240s. The book is tough to work your way through, though there's a ton of useful info in there; it's just tough to find what you need unless you're intimately familiar with it. However, the book came with a video, and the video is really good. I watch it about every 6 months just to refresh my memory on how to do basic engine management diagnostic procedures.

I don't know if IPD's version comes with the video -- it's worth asking about. If so, then it's probably worth the asking price.

Rob Kuhlman

Bentley is a better investment.

I have it and did not find it very well written at all. Bentley is far better. I supposed I did pick up a good piece of info from it here and there.

It's poorly laid out and organized, at least the version I have, which is at least 5 years old. To it's credit, it focuses on fixing no start, or poor running conditions. Seems like it should be priced about half of what they charge (mine came with the car from previous owner)

-bruce

I've had the Problem Solver (book and tape) for years. I think you can only get it from ipd (just the book) and at a sale price they're either trying to promote it or get rid of it. It's basically a collection of 168 one or two page notes and diagrams of common problems and tips from Robert Gerhardt. Initially I found it fairly educational, especially on the early D-Jet and K-Jet systems, but I rarely use it now as the coverage wanes after the mid-80's models. Some of the information found there is not easily found elsewhere, mostly because of the diagrams.

Just MHO though.