TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bentley Manual

Mon Oct 01, 2018 10:58 pm

I thought it would be handy to have all the known errors in the Bentley 68-79
Bus Official Service Manual collected together in one place. Owners of said manual
can then easily read this thread and annotate their copy as they wish. Many of the
errors I record below have been the cause of user confusion and postings on this
forum.

Unless otherwise indicated, all error reports concern the latest version currently
available from Bentley Publishers (V279), which I gather is a hardback reprint of
the paperback 14th edition published in 1979 or so. Bentley has a list of updates
they included in this latest edition at https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/x/TwDF .
R. Atwell, the creator of the famous ratwell.com website, has made his own list of
Bentley errata at http://www.ratwell.com/technical/BentleyErrata.html (which has
errors of its own).

It should be understood that the manual does not cover every conceivable aspect of
the VW bay bus, with its many options and variations as it evolved over the years, and
as it was adapted for sale in different regions. It seems to be targeted mainly at
U.S.-market vehicles. These omissions should not be regarded as errors unless they
would actually lead a reasonable bus owner to do something materially damaging. However,
links to relevant supplemental information would be welcome, and I've included a few
myself.

It should also be understood that lack of an entry here does not in any way vouch for
the correctness of any particular information in the manual. There are parts of the
Bentley that I've only skimmed over, if that, and subjects I am entirely ignorant of.
The idea here is that forum members will post replies with newly discovered errors, I
will include the info in the appropriate place in the list, and over time the list
will approach perfection. One supposes also that it may be debatable whether something
is really an error or not, so this would be the place to discuss that.

Section I - Body and Frame

p.14(right), step #8: Many are flummoxed by this procedure. The front guide channel is rigid, and
does not bend in any direction when the vent window is installed. It takes
a very large force to distort the door metal to create a gap between the
guide channel and it's mount point. Trying to pull the lifter down without
such a gap will almost surely kink and perhaps destroy the lifter tube.
These instructions should simply say to remove (at least partially) the vent
window assembly.

p.14(right), step #9: Seems questionable, as on my '71 bus I found it impossible to remove window glass out the bottom
even after removing the bottom lift channel. Even after many hours of trying to get the thing out.
Others say they did. So wut's up with that?

p.15(left), steps #3,#4: remarks above apply. I had to use a 3-ft pry bar to bend the door panel away from the guide channel.

p.15(right), step #3: There is no need to remove the rear guide channel.

p.17(right), step #3 NOTE: refers to non-existent adjustment

Section II - Front Axle

p.8(left), Fig. 5-1: lower illustration has items #2 and #3 reversed

p.8(right,upper), step #2: "7-mm" should be "6-mm"

Section III - Fuel System

p.20, Fig. 5-24: Item #7 (float pin retainer) shown backwards

p.21, Fig. 5-25: ditto

Section IV - Electrical System

p.10(left,bottom and right,upper): Not all Bosch solenoids have/had adjustable pull rods

p.16(right,para. 3,line 3): "regulator" should read "generator"

p.31, Fig. 10-4: angle of crank shown does not accord with that on my 71 bus, whose wipers
park just fine

B&W Wiring Diagram E2: headlight wiring has mixed-up color labels and terminal numbers

Section V - Engine and Clutch

p.7(right), step #4: "... on 1971 models there is only one bolt, on the right." is incorrect

p.12, Fig. 5-1: shows a lot of beetle/split heat exchanger parts, with no disclaimer, and fails
to show actual bay bus functional equivalents

p.18, Fig. 6-4: shows beetle/split front engine tin instead of bay bus part

p.47(right), step #5: "There should be at least 2.00 mm ...". My experience is that most clutch
disks have less than 2.00 mm above the rivet heads when brand-new.

p.75, Table j: It seems some advance specs are given in crankshaft degrees, and others in
distributor degrees, with no indication as to which is meant.

p.86, Table vi: Intake manifold to cyl. head nut torque spec, same 14 ft-lbs is given
for both 6 mm and 8 mm studs.

Section VI - Transmission and Rear Axle

General: 091 manual transmission not covered, see item #10 for VW Workshop Manual pages:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/workshopbulletins/75_01_bus.php

p.33(left), step #7 NOTE: spec of 15-20 kg (33-44 lb) is contradicted by VW Type 2 Workshop Manual of
Jan 1975, which says 7-10 kg.

p.33(right), Fig. 7-15: spec of 23-25 mm is contradicted by VW Type 2 Workshop Manual of Jan.
1975, which says 29-31 mm.

p.55, Fig. 10-1: Items #19 and #23 have descriptions reversed.

p.58(right), Art. 10.3: Fails to mention torsion bars from '72 on have 48-spline inner end and
52-spline outer end.

p.63, Table II: "prior to August 1967" should be "prior to August 1973".

p.64, Table IV, D.3.: see remark for p.33(left)

Section VII - Automatic Transmission

General: fails to cover later auto trans, see item #8 (and more) on the following page:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/workshopbulletins/75_01_bus.php

Section VIII - Brakes and Wheels

p.9(lower right), step #2 and #3: mentions non-existent "sealing washers".

p.11(right), Testing the Vacuum Check Valve: incorrect description of operation, and backwards install
instructions for arrow orientation

p.23(top,left), 2nd sentence: "two return springs" should be "two lower return springs".

p.23, Fig 8-1: item #19 shows non-existent "brake cable clamp". Item #6 incorrectly identified as "socket head screw"
when they are really M7 hex-head bolts. Item #1 only applies to '71 vehicles as depicted, all later
versions have the bolt head on the bearing housing side.

p.28(left), 2nd sentence and following CAUTION: There is no such bolt or clamp on parking brake cables.
Seven lines further on, there is mention of non-existent
M8 backing plate mounting bolts.

P.32(right), 2nd para. and CAUTION: as above, there is no such cable clamp or bolts

Tue Oct 02, 2018 6:35 am

On my ‘71, I replaced the drivers side roll up window and I put it in from the bottom and did not remove the vent window. I am certain of that. It has been nearly twenty years since I did it though.

Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:58 am

Excellent thread, especially since you used flummoxed and accord as a verb in a single post.

Dont forget to bill Bentley the going rate of $500/hour for corrections

Is there a similar thread for the Tom Wilson Book, albeit probably much smaller thread?

Tue Oct 02, 2018 10:37 am

kreemoweet wrote: p.11(right), Testing the Vacuum Check Valve: incorrect description of operation, and backwards install
instructions for arrow orientation

This error had me messed up pretty good- my leg got stronger until i figured out what was wrong :)

Tue Oct 02, 2018 11:04 am

If I recall, the fusebox layout for some years is incorrect. I use the owner's manual diagrams in the Technical section here for accuracy.

Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:47 am

Can't edit original post. It's been verified by another member that the wiper motor illustration on p.31, Electrical System,
has the crank arm installed 180 deg. away from where it's supposed to be.

Mon Jan 20, 2020 5:02 am

kreemoweet wrote: Can't edit original post. It's been verified by another member that the wiper motor illustration on p.31, Electrical System,
has the crank arm installed 180 deg. away from where it's supposed to be.

Wiper error documented here

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=730581

Tue Sep 27, 2022 10:57 am

Body and Frame chapter, page 26, beginning of Section 5.18 and Figure 5-59 claim there is access to the vent window pivot screw.
Numerous posts have been made (and you can include me in that group) that there is no such cutout in the window opening pinchweld to allow access to that screw. So adjust the vent window friction before it's installed, folks.

Sun Apr 09, 2023 9:01 am

Engine and Clutch chapter, page 51, Article 15.5 Adjusting Clutch Pedal Freeplay: it states to turn the wingnut until there is 1-2 mm clearance between clutch lever and wingnut. That is totally wrong.

Mon Apr 10, 2023 4:40 pm

kreemoweet wrote: Engine and Clutch chapter, page 51, Article 15.5 Adjusting Clutch Pedal Freeplay: it states to turn the wingnut until there is 1-2 mm clearance between clutch lever and wingnut. That is totally wrong.

Mon Apr 10, 2023 4:55 pm

notice it states next sentence, "Recheck freeplay AT THE PEDAL to make sure it is within specifications... "

Mon Apr 10, 2023 4:59 pm

SGKent wrote: notice it states next sentence, "Recheck freeplay AT THE PEDAL to make sure it is within specifications... "

That could be an assumption.... I see it as a

vicious circle.... set 1, check 1, fix one, check one, fix one and on and on. can't have 1mm at the lever and 1" at the pedal.

It does not tell you how to end up with both.

Mon Apr 10, 2023 6:45 pm

malcolm2 wrote: SGKent wrote: notice it states next sentence, "Recheck freeplay AT THE PEDAL to make sure it is within specifications... "

That could be an assumption.... I see it as a

vicious circle.... set 1, check 1, fix one, check one, fix one and on and on. can't have 1mm at the lever and 1" at the pedal.

It does not tell you how to end up with both.

Look at Bentley page 13 in Lubrication and Maintenance - Checking Clutch Pedal Freeplay. The page you quoted is how to set it up initially before the final adjustment.

Thu Apr 13, 2023 9:55 am

kreemoweet wrote: It seems to be targeted mainly at U.S.-market vehicles.

Indeed.

It turns out that the USA has long required service manuals be made available for the buying public for all vehicles. ...At least, it WAS true going back to at least the 1950s and continuing on (ever since?)... If other markets mandated it, maybe they got their own attention? I don't know! However, I'm 100% sure the US DOT mandated these be available and that's why VW did it - note that they originally did their own before the bean-counters decided it should be outsourced - and that's when they lost all their personality and charm!

By the way, THANKS, kreemoweet, for this thread; all models can use this type of thread!

Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:21 am

rtroy wrote: kreemoweet wrote: It seems to be targeted mainly at U.S.-market vehicles.

Indeed.

It turns out that the USA has long required service manuals be made available for the buying public for all vehicles. ...At least, it WAS true going back to at least the 1950s and continuing on (ever since?)... If other markets mandated it, maybe they got their own attention? I don't know! However, I'm 100% sure the US DOT mandated these be available and that's why VW did it - note that they originally did their own before the bean-counters decided it should be outsourced - and that's when they lost all their personality and charm!

By the way, THANKS, kreemoweet, for this thread; all models can use this type of thread!

It is a very close copy of the German Dealer Manual(s) published in Germany in English by VW. It was converted and then published by Bentley to be sold at the parts counter. If you walked into a VW Dealer in 1975 and asked for a service manual, they sold you the Bentley rather than one of the Dealer only Service Manuals. As Dealers have discarded their stock manuals, they have become available thru used book resellers. My copy of the German manual and the Bentley are very close to identical. One difference is that the factory service manual has torque specs on the pages with the blow up of parts. The Bentley condenses those in the back of each chapter.

Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:21 am

rtroy wrote: If other markets mandated it, maybe they got their own attention?

I've long looked for the european equivalent of the Bentley manual for the rather different busses sold in that market, and there don't seem to be any, at
least not in the English language. I have the VW Workshop Manual for the mid-70's euro busses with late-bus bodies and the 1600 engine discontinued in the US, but it is clearly marked as an internal VW-eyes only publication. A great deal of the content is identical to that in the Bentley. It's pretty clear the bus
Bentley manual was produced by a crew of translators who unfortunately lacked the detailed, hands-on familiarity with their subject matter that one would
hope to see. Even so, it's far superior to some official vehicle service manuals I've seen.

Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:28 am

The Orange manual is European. It is printed in Germany and is on European sized paper. Bentley is on American sized paper. The Orange manual also has the technical updates and large colored wiring diagrams that go with it. Early Bentley manuals had the better photos and colored wiring. The late ones are digital copies of the early ones. There are also a couple places the Bentley can be downloaded online. I refer to the PDF version all the time.

if you buy one make sure you get the technical bulletins with it. There is a First and Second Edition. I believe the 2nd edition has some of the technical bulletins built into it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285226120025?chn=ps&n...gKMdPD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374093944360?chn=ps&n...gL06fD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185814549277?chn=ps&_...gKnN_D_BwE

https://www.faxonautoliterature.com/1974-1978-VW-T...hop-Manual

This might be one, have to ask the seller. I got mine from him

https://books4cars.com/bookLandingPages/71_420241961.php