Which is better for DIY - Mitchell or Alldata????

[eschoendorff]

I am thinking of subscribing to one or the other...

Case in point: I want to do plugs and wire for my dad on his 2001 Chrysler LHS, but there aren't any traditional "wires," just coil-on-plug boots. Also, what are the OE plugs?

 

[krusty the clown]

what size engine?

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I prefer Alldata, easier to use and the content is better IMO.

 

[eschoendorff]

what size engine?

3.5 SOHC




+10

 

[krusty the clown]

well i thought i could look up the factory plug pn online but it will take more time than i have right now........first off you can purchase alldata for one specific vehicle, but that wont help you on others. i have never used mithcell on demand but everyone i have talked to say's it's harder to navigate. i think your better off just asking a board member to look things up for you. save the cash for important things like beer and tools.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I think the spark plug part number you are looking for is SPRC12PEC5

 

[Danglerb]

You want a manual to show you how to replace spark plugs?

Everybody I buy parts from, RockAuto, Kragen, AutoZone have you create profiles for each car (brand, model, year, motor size) before you do parts searches.

As for manuals I would buy the specific workshop manual for each car, and have a link in my bookmarks for the top two or three forums that support it.

 

[eschoendorff]

You want a manual to show you how to replace spark plugs?

no genius. I want a manual so I can study and unfamiliar car before I go dicking around under the hood. The idea of messing around with my dad's car that is two hours away got me thinking about the whole thing.

Everybody I buy parts from, RockAuto, Kragen, AutoZone have you create profiles for each car (brand, model, year, motor size) before you do parts searches.

As for manuals I would buy the specific workshop manual for each car, and have a link in my bookmarks for the top two or three forums that support it.

BTDT. I am looking to take it to the next level. Print manuals do not always have the most up-to-date info and TSBs.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

autozone has free manuals online
alldata is expensive - we don't even have it in the shop

 

[Stanger]

no genius. I want a manual so I can study and unfamiliar car before I go dicking around under the hood. The idea of messing around with my dad's car that is two hours away got me thinking about the whole thing.

Unnecessary. That is in fact what you said, that you wanted a manual to help you change the spark plugs in your dad's car. Just check the owner's manual for the correct spark plug and gap. Changing spark plugs isn't "dicking around". It is easy and straightforward if you have the correct plug.

 

[stioc]

I find that between a factory service manual and Autozone's repair guides (which are from Alldata BTW) I'm pretty well covered. If there's a specific issue or a question I also subscribe to that specific car's online forum.

 

[Stanger]

I find that between a factory service manual and Autozone's repair guides (which are from Alldata BTW) I'm pretty well covered. If there's a specific issue or a question I also subscribe to that specific car's online forum.

I agree. I tore down the whole top end of my 3800 just with info from good forums.

 

[jay50]

Alldata has more pics than Mitchells. I have access to both and use both in some cases.

 

[eschoendorff]

Unnecessary. That is in fact what you said, that you wanted a manual to help you change the spark plugs in your dad's car. Just check the owner's manual for the correct spark plug and gap. Changing spark plugs isn't "dicking around". It is easy and straightforward if you have the correct plug.

I suggest you go back and re-read my posts. The whole thing about dealing with an unfamiliar car is what GOT ME THINKING about this whole mess in the first place. I don't need a manual to change plugs. Doing some other research on the web for plugs for my dad's car turned up alldata in a google search and -viola! the idea was born. Sheesh.

I have been considering buying a manual for my wife's 2006 LaCrosse. The interweb is great, but it just doesn't answer all my questions. I have a Haynes manual for my 1994 Silverado and it is almost useless. I have the actual GM service manuals for my Corvette, but they can be a pain to read and contain material that was current - in 1993.

My question is whether or not anyone has any practical experience with Alldata or Mitchell, and which is considered better.

 

[eschoendorff]

I agree. I tore down the whole top end of my 3800 just with info from good forums.

And taht works - because there is a ton of info out there for Gen II 3800s. There is hardly any info on the web as far as repair info for a 2006 LaCrosse (even with a Gen III 3800 - LOT more aluminum).

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Go with Alldata,I subcribed back in august for about $30 for a year.Any additional or renewals are $17 a year,great pics.

 

[jyoukhanna017]

Alldata all day, if you ever need any info let me know I have it from work.

 

[gibbon_guy]

Your local library may have access to a different repair program, can't remember the name but it works and it's free.

I don't like Mitchell's new search engine online but I do like their wiring diagram tool.

I think Alldata is overall a better product. I feel like I have to search a lot to find some stuff but I usually find what I am looking for very quickly.

 

[AutoTech]

I am thinking of subscribing to one or the other...

Case in point: I want to do plugs and wire for my dad on his 2001 Chrysler LHS, but there aren't any traditional "wires," just coil-on-plug boots. Also, what are the OE plugs?

If I was you I would go with Alldata, much easier to navigate! Only thing I like about MOD is there wiring diagrams!

 

[fourfeathers]

Unnecessary. That is in fact what you said, that you wanted a manual to help you change the spark plugs in your dad's car. Just check the owner's manual for the correct spark plug and gap. Changing spark plugs isn't "dicking around". It is easy and straightforward if you have the correct plug.

Hate to disagree, but to many of us that have never worked on Ford COP (coil on plug) setups, or similar, a sparkplug change is a bit daunting. There are some very expensive connectors and injectors, and coils that I'd hate to pay for, just to "try" to change plugs. Hell, just trying to find them the 1st time stymies most old-timers I know.
If the "Book" say a job pays a PRO 4-6 hours to change plugs, then I think it may be a good idea for a non-pro to have the correct info to start, or to justify NOT starting the job.

 

[Merkava_4]

The last time I checked, AllData was $25 per year + $14 for each additional car - and all the drawings your printer can handle.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

The last time I checked, AllData was $25 per year + $14 for each additional car - and all the drawings your printer can handle.

Inflation

 

[Stanger]

I suggest you go back and re-read my posts. The whole thing about dealing with an unfamiliar car is what GOT ME THINKING about this whole mess in the first place. I don't need a manual to change plugs. Doing some other research on the web for plugs for my dad's car turned up alldata in a google search and -viola! the idea was born. Sheesh.

Sorry man, I guess I misinterpreted your original post. My bad.

And taht works - because there is a ton of info out there for Gen II 3800s. There is hardly any info on the web as far as repair info for a 2006 LaCrosse (even with a Gen III 3800 - LOT more aluminum).

I wouldn't have had to tear the top end apart if it was a Gen III though. It was the upper manifold and gaskets that were the problem with the Dex-Cool. That is about the only problem I know of with the 3800. Can't say the same about the ****** behind it though.

 

[john w]

i didn't know that mod offered a diy option i've had ad diy at home on several cars in the past and it helps a lot at school we have both ad and mod, and it just takes a little longer to 'get used to' mod's navigation, but sometimes one service will have some needed stuff that the other doesn't mod takes the oem wiring diagrams and redraws them, so that a subaru diagram will look like a gm diagram, but, in the redrawing process they make mistakes many oem's now have online services priced from $ 000 hyundai & kia to $ 5200 porsche annually

 

[john w]

i forgot to put the periods in my last post. hope you can decipher run-on sentences!

 

[rhandwor]

I think the alldata would work better for your needs. You get a discount for a second vehicle for your own car. Make sure you print the wiring diagrams before it expires.

 

[Danglerb]

Sorry for the poke in the ribs on your plugs ...

I am just a bit twisted on manuals. A full set of factory manual for my car takes about 3 feet of shelf space. A nine notebook base set, and about that much again in updates and special tech references. This is NOT enough for a home DIY to successfully work on the car though. Forums are essential. 90% of factory manuals are written before the car was in production, and 90% of all other manuals are just edited versions of the factory manual.

Outright mistakes get corrected, if the update pages get put in, but enhanced technique is pretty rare. Information that puts the manufacturer in a bad light is rarely there. Solutions using non factory parts are never there. etc etc.

A Corrolla might have the best info in Alldata, and Camaro might have the best info in something else.

 

[oldgoat]

I've used Mopar factory service manuals and allpar and have found that both lack in some areas. Haven't used Mitchells though. Our local library has service manuals that you can check out also. I like the allpar system simply because of the TSB's and the like. With a manual you don't get them and can sometimes find the solution to your problem by looking at the TSB's. Once you are past the initial cost it isn't too bad if you have to do much wrenching. I always print out the info that I need and put them in plastic sleeves in a binder so that they don't get smudged up.

 

[eschoendorff]

Sorry man, I guess I misinterpreted your original post. My bad.


I wouldn't have had to tear the top end apart if it was a Gen III though. It was the upper manifold and gaskets that were the problem with the Dex-Cool. That is about the only problem I know of with the 3800. Can't say the same about the ****** behind it though.

Did you drop the oil pan and clean it out???? I did the same job on my wife's 98 GP and flushed it out with three consecutive oil changes. I thought that I had gotten all of the coolant out - not so. About 3 months later she grenaded the engine on I-94. The intake work that I did was tight as a drum - there was so left over coolant in the oil pan that finally circulated through the engine and did the thing in.

THAT was an expensive lesson. I was really proud of my work on the top end of the engine - only to find that the oil drain on series II 3800s doesn't actuality drain all of the oil. My wife was a year and a half overdue for a new car, so we finally got that done. But what a price!

It sounds like Alldata is the clear winner. Thanks guys!!!!