[DML] Re: learning by osmosis

["DMC Joe" <dmcjoe@xxxx>]

Wayne,

You are absolutely correct!

Knowing the history of the company operations would explain why the workshop
manual was not a high priority quality control item. As an example look at
C:05:01 fig. 24, notice the radiator and round air filter. These
illustrations were taken directly from the Volvo workshop manual. Therefore
it is very understandable why an owner with limited auto repair knowledge
would become confused. I spend, on average, two hours a day answering email
and telephone questions from DeLorean owners all over the world. I enjoy
helping owners, especially new owners, solve their service problems. On the
other hand I also agree that owners make more of an effort to research their
questions before posting them to the DML or to the DeLorean Services
website.

When a call comes in from an owner or service tech asking for information
one of the first questions I ask them is: "do you have a parts manual?" If
they answer "yes" I am assured that I am giving accurate information because
I'm looking at the same item the caller is, even if his or her terminology
is incorrect.

For owners who intend to service their own vehicles the workshop manual is
also a must. We have documented virtually every mistake in all three
manuals. As soon as time permits we will publish these updates at our
website, until than, feel free to call or email your questions concerning
the accuracy of the information within these books.

The best single investment a new DeLorean can make is the DeLorean parts
manual. The parts manual is easily laid out and is relatively accurate.
Priced at under $50 and available from most of the parts suppliers this is a
must item for all DeLorean owners.

DMC Joe / De Lorean Services / <dmcjoe@xxxx>
Web Site: <www.deloreanservices.com>

----- Original Message -----
From: <Deloreanernst@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2000 8:52 PM
Subject: [DML] learning by osmosis


> The recent thread flaming those who ask "dumb" questions has been
adequately
> rebuffed by those defending that means of education. But here's another
> angle: I HAVE the parts, owners and workshop manuals. (The other manual
is
> on the way.) Actually I have TWO workshop manuals, which came with the
car.
> Problem is, they were written for trained, professional mechanics. Which
I
> am not. De Lorean factory trained mechanics... which practically no owner
is.
> Hence the line in the manual, for instance, about the air filter which
> simply says "remove it." My "osmosis" training tells me the air filter is
> the round paper ring inside the the big thing on top of the carb, secured
by
> a wingnut. Sorry... not on a D! I would have never guessed that to
change
> the filter I not only had to unbolt it from the intake manifold, but peel
> back the edge of the DMC decal as well . :( Haven't done it yet... had
to
> get metric sockets first!
>
> Learning to repair the D from the workshop manual is like learning a
foreign
> language from a book. Why struggle? Why reinvent the wheel?
>
> Besides, the darn manual is pretty un-user friendly. Probably written by
> engineers who never had to repair one! And those crummy illustrations.
> Wouldn't it be nice if the workshop manual illustration showing the
> thermostat housing and bleeder screw actually had the screw labelled? Ask
> your "dumb" questions. They're easier to handle than dumb mistakes!
>
> -Wayne
> "Living the dream!"
> VIN...11174