Well I need to replace the belt that runs the 2.5 V6 engine and the alt. of the car, but it will cost me $90 at a repair shop. I can get the new belt for $11. The only problem is I don't know how to loosen and retight the belt to change them. Can someone plz help.

Also I am thinking about doing a tune up on the car. The trouble is in order to get to the back spark plug I have to disconnect TOO MUCH GARBAGE. Is there a guide specific to Avengers on how to give it a tune-up. Thanks so much everyone!

 

Welcome to DF JD.

A Haynes or Chilton's manual will give you what you're looking for JD and it's probably the best thing you can buy for any car.

 

I have a Haynes manual for my Avenger but it seems to pay more attention to the Stratus and Sebring sedans than it does the coupes. I was wondering if a Haynes manual on the Eclipse would be more helpful?

 

Books like Haynes and Chilton's are no bueno! There are like the bootlegged version of the REAL Car Manual that you SHOULD get. Yes they are expensive but well worth it. I also noticed that they Haynes book that came with my car had no Service bullitins. I admit those books get sum jobs done but they also give you moneys worth.

 

I kno wthis is an old post, but please share with me.....

What is the REAL manual and where does one get a copy?

 

You can order one online. I think Amazon.com sells them or from the dealership. I personnally hate the buying anything from the dealership even down to having them put air into my tires because there so expensive but can't hate on them though cuz they know there stuff. Haynes and chilton you can get at your local parts store. Correct me if Im wrong but I think you can get the real manual from there to just have them order it for you. I don' know the price but I KNOW there expensive, sum1 told like around $250 - $400! I told him to kiss my black A$$! The real manual has the specs on everything its really for a shop. I'll try to look more into it for you.

 

Thanks. appreciate any info you might get.
I'm looking too as I'd purchased a factory service manual on CD for my 2002 Dodge ram 1500 about 3 yrs ago. If I could find the damn invoice, I'd buy one for the car too.

 

Did you ever replace the serp belt?
I did it about 2 months ago. Even with my huge hands, it took me about 30 mins.
If you haven't done it yet, post a reply and I'll give you some tips.

I too am contemplating changing my plugs. Not looking fwd to it.

 

I bought my 97 "service manual" on ebay for $75 I believe and that's for both volumes (one is electrical). There's not a whole lot of difference between the service manual and the other manuals in terms of the info provided by Haynes/Chiltons..since they get their info from the service manual. Obviously, the service manual is about my 97 Avenger/97 Sebring and nothing else. Haynes/Chiltons manual are not as bad as Pappi says it is, I've done a lot of complete work with those manuals. The only time I really look at the service manual is if I need a torque spec (they all have it but it's easier to find in the service manual).

The Haynes/Chiltons manuals are made to get you through the big stuff about our cars and it's sisters, the tiny details are what most folks look for and they're usually not in those books. The service manual will have every bit of info in it for one car and both motors (I4/V6).
If you have an I4, you can also use the books for the Eclipses, except be prepared to look through the book because it also shares pages with the 4g63 motor. Some might find that as annoying as the books for the Avenger/Sebring/Stratus that include the 2.5L/I4/2.4L motors.

Just to note..
I have both the Haynes/Chiltons manuals, the (red and yellow, 1997) Chrysler Corporation service manual..Vols 1+2 and.....
Chiltons manual for the the Eclipse + the CD manual which includes the service manual for Eclipse/Talon/Laser that date from 1990-1999. I obviously use the Eclipse manual for the motor. Again though, I use the Chiltons the most because the main info (which is what I usually look for) is in those books. For me, it's not a waste to have so many books on these motors/cars because I plan on keeping my car....but for others it might not be needed.