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1990-1994 VW POLO Service Repair Manual
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Contents
LIVING WITH YOUR VW POLO
Introduction Page 0.4
Safety first! Page 0.5
Roadside repairs
Introduction Page 0.6
If your car won’t start Page 0.6
Jump starting Page 0.7
Wheel changing
Identifying leaks
Towing
Page 0.8
Page 0.9
Page 0.9
Weekly checks
Introduction Page 0.10
Underbonnet check points
Engine oil level
Page 0.10
Page 0.11
Coolant level Page 0.11
Brake fluid level Page 0.12
Screen washer fluid level Page 0.12
Wiper blades
Battery
Tyre condition and pressure
Bulbs and fuses
Page 0.13
Page 0.13
Page 0.14
Page 0.15
Lubricants, fluids and tyre pressures Page 0.16
MAINTENANCE
Routine maintenance and servicing Page 1.1
Maintenance schedule Page 1.3
Maintenance procedures Page 1.5

Contents
REPAIRS & OVERHAUL
Engine and associated systems
Petrol engine in-car repair procedures Page 2A.1
Engine removal and overhaul procedures
Cooling, heating and ventilation systems
Fuel/exhaust systems - single-point petrol injection models
Fuel/exhaust systems - multi-point petrol injection models
Page 2B.1
Page 3.1
Page 4A.1
Page 4B.1
Exhaust and emission control systems Page 4C.1
Engine electrical - starting and charging systems
Engine electrical - Ignition system
Page 5A.1
Page 5B.1
Transmission
Clutch Page 6.1
Manual transmission Page 7.1
Driveshafts Page 8.1
Brakes and suspension
Braking system Page 9.1
Suspension and steering Page 10.1
Body equipment
Bodywork and fittings
Body electrical systems
Page 11.1
Page 12.1
Wiring diagrams Page 12.12
REFERENCE
Dimensions and weights Page REF.1
Conversion factors Page REF.2
Buying spare parts and vehicle identification
General repair procedures
Jacking and vehicle support
MOT test checks
Page REF.3
Page REF.4
Page REF.5
Page REF.5
Fault finding
Glossary of technical terms
Page REF.12
Page REF.19
Index Page REF.24

0.4 Introduction
The updated VW Polo range was introduced in November of
A wide range of standard and optional equipment is available within
1990, with a choice of 1.05 litre (1043 cc) or 1.3 litre (1272 cc) petrol
the Polo range to suit most tastes, including a sliding sunroof, tinted
engines, with either single-point or multi-point fuel injection. During
glass, alloy wheels and remote adjustable door mirrors.
Spring 1991, the G40 model was launched, equipped with a
Provided that regular servicing is carried out in accordance with the
supercharged version of the 1.3 litre engine. Three body shells are
manufacturer’s recommendations, the VW Polo should prove reliable
available - a three-door hatchback, a two-door saloon and a three-
and very economical. The engine compartment is well-designed, and
door Coupe. most of the items requiring frequent attention are easily accessible.
All engines are derived from the well-proven units which have
appeared in previous versions of the VW Polo. The engine is of four-
cylinder overhead camshaft design, mounted transversely, with the
transmission mounted on the left-hand side. All models have a four or
five-speed manual transmission.
Your Polo manual
All models have fully-independent front suspension and employ coil-
over-damper struts, transverse lower arms and an anti-roll bar. The
rear suspension is semi-independent, utilising coil-over-damper struts
and incorporating trailing arms located by a torsion beam axle. A rear
anti-roll bar is fitted to certain models.
The aim of this manual is to help you get the best value from your
vehicle. It can do so in several ways. It can help you decide what work
must be done (even if you choose to get it done by a garage). It will
also provide information on routine maintenance and servicing, and
give a logical course of action and diagnosis when random faults
occur. However, it is hoped that you will use the manual by tackling the
work yourself. On simpler jobs it may even be quicker than booking the
car into a garage and going there twice, to leave and collect it. Perhaps
most important, a lot of money can be saved by avoiding the costs a
garage must charge to cover its labour and overheads.
The WV Polo Team
Haynes manuals are produced by dedicated and
enthusiastic people working in close co-operation. The
team responsible for the creation of this book included:
Authors
Sub-editor
Editor & Page Make-up
Andy Legg
Spencer Drayton
Carole Turk
Bob Jex
Pete Shoemark
Workshop manager
Photo Scans
Paul Buckland
John Martin
Paul Tanswell
Steve Tanswell
Cover illustration & Line Art Roger Healing
Wiring diagrams Matthew Marke
W e hope the book will help you to get the maximum
enjoyment from your car. By carrying out routine
maintenance as described you will ensure your car’s
reliability and preserve its resale value.
The manual has drawings and descriptions to show the function of
the various components so that their layout can be understood. Tasks
are described and photographed in a clear step-by-step sequence.
This manual is not a direct reproduction of the vehicle
manufacturer’s data, and its publication should not be taken as
implying any technical approval by the vehicle manufacturers or
importers.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to Champion Spark Plugs, who supplied the
illustrations showing spark plug conditions. Special thanks to Loders
of Yeovil who provided several of the project vehicles used in the
origination of this manual. Thanks are also due to Sykes-Pickavant
Limited, who provided some of the workshop tools, and to all those
people at Sparkford and Newbury Park who helped in the production
of this manual.
We take great pride in the accuracy of information given in this
manual, but vehicle manufacturers make alterations and design
changes during the production run of a particular vehicle of which
they do not inform us. No liability can be accepted by the authors
or publishers for loss, damage or injury caused by any errors in, or
omissions from, the information given.
VW Polo Boulevard
WV Polo GT Coupe

Safety first! 0.5
W orking on your car can be dangerous.
This page shows just some of the potential
risks and hazards, with the aim of creating a
safety-conscious attitude.
General hazards
l Mains voltage is also dangerous. Make
sure that any mains-operated equipment is
correctly earthed. Mains power points should
be protected by a residual current device
(RCD) circuit breaker.
Scalding
l Don’t remove the radiator or expansion
tank cap while the engine is hot.
. Engine oil, automatic transmission fluid or
power steering fluid may also be dangerously
hot if the engine has recently been running.
Fume or gas intoxication
l Exhaust fumes are
poisonous; they often
contain carbon
monoxide, which is
Burning
l Beware of burns from the exhaust system
and from any part of the engine. Brake discs
and drums can also be extremely hot
immediately after use.
rapidly fatal if inhaled.
Never run the
engine in a
confined space
such as a garage
with the doors shut.
l Fuel vapour is also
Crushing
poisonous, as are the vapours from some
cleaning solvents and paint thinners.
l When working under or near
a raised vehicle,
Poisonous or irritant substances
l Avoid skin contact with battery acid and
with any fuel, fluid or lubricant, especially
antifreeze, brake hydraulic fluid and Diesel
fuel. Don’t syphon them by mouth. If such a
substance is swallowed or gets into the eyes,
seek medical advice.
venture
under a car which
is only supported by a jack.
l Take care if loosening or tightening high-
torque nuts when the vehicle is on stands.
Initial loosening and final tightening should
be done with the wheels on the ground.
l Prolonged contact with used engine oil can
cause skin cancer. Wear gloves or use a
barrier cream if necessary. Change out of oil-
soaked clothes and do not keep oily rags in
your pocket.
l Air conditioning refrigerant forms a
poisonous gas if exposed to a naked flame
(including a cigarette). It can also cause skin
burns on contact.
Fire Asbestos
l Fuel is highly flammable; fuel vapour is
explosive.
l Don’t let fuel spill onto a hot engine.
l Do not smoke or allow naked lights
(including pilot lights) anywhere near a
vehicle being worked on. Also beware of
creating sparks
(electrically or by use of tools).
. Fuel vapour is heavier than air, so don’t
work on the fuel system with the vehicle over
an inspection pit.
l Another cause of fire is an electrical
overload or short-circuit. Take care when
repairing or modifying the vehicle wiring.
l Keep a fire extinguisher handy, of a type
suitable for use on fuel and electrical fires.
l Asbestos dust can cause cancer if inhaled
or swallowed. Asbestos may be found in
gaskets and in brake and clutch linings.
When dealing with such components it is
safest to assume that they contain asbestos.
Electric shock
l Ignition HT
voltage can be
dangerous,
especially to
people with heart
problems or a
pacemaker. Don’t
work on or near the
ignition system with
the engine running or
the ignition switched on.
Special hazards
Hydrofluoric acid
l This extremely corrosive acid is formed
when certain types of synthetic rubber, found
in some O-rings, oil seals, fuel hoses etc, are
exposed to temperatures above 400°C. The
rubber changes into a charred or sticky
substance containing the acid. Once formed,
the acid remains dangerous for years. If it
gets onto the skin, it may be necessary to
amputate the limb concerned.
l When dealing with a vehicle which has
suffered a fire, or with components salvaged
from such a vehicle, wear protective gloves
and discard them after use.
The battery
l Batteries contain sulphuric acid, which
attacks clothing, eyes and skin. Take care
when topping-up or carrying the battery.
l The hydrogen gas given off by the battery
is highly explosive. Never cause a spark or
allow a naked light nearby. Be careful when
connecting and disconnecting battery
chargers or jump leads.
Air bags
l Air bags can cause injury if they go off
accidentally. Take care when removing the
steering wheel and/or facia. Special storage
instructions may apply.
Diesel injection equipment
l Diesel injection pumps supply fuel at very
high pressure. Take care when working on
the fuel injectors and fuel pipes.
A
!
Warning: Never expose the hands,
face or any other part of the body
to injector spray; the fuel can
penetrate the skin with potential/y fatal
results.

0.6 Roadside repairs
The following pages are intended to help in dealing with
common roadside emergencies and breakdowns. You will find
more detailed fault finding information at the back of the
manual, and repair information in the main chapters.
If your car won’t start If your car won’t start
and the starter motor even though the starter
doesn’t turn motor turns as normal
0 Open the bonnet and make sure that the battery terminals 0 Is there fuel in the tank?
are clean and tight. 0 Is there moisture on electrical components under the
0 Switch on the headlights and try to start the engine. If the bonnet? Switch off the ignition, then wipe off any obvious
headlights go very dim when you’re trying to start, the dampness with a dry cloth. Spray a water-repellent aerosol
battery is probably flat. Get out of trouble by jump starting product (WD-40 or equivalent) on ignition and fuel system
(see next page) using a friend’s car. electrical connectors like those shown in the photos.
Pay special attention to the ignition coil wiring connector
and H-T leads.
A
Check that the spark plug HT leads are
B
Check that the distributor hall sender
securely connected by pushing them connector is firmly pushed home and
down onto the plug tops
C
At the ignition coil, check that the LT and
HT cable connections are secure and
free of moisture
With the ignition switched off, check that electrical connections are secure and spray
them with a water dispersant spray, such as WD40, if you suspect that moisture may be
causing a problem.
E
Check that the airflow meter harness
connector is secure and free of moisture

Roadside repairs 0.7
When jump-starting a car using a 3 Make sure that the booster battery is
booster battery, observe the following the same voltage as the discharged
precautions: one in the vehicle.
1 Before connecting the booster
battery, make sure that the ignition is
switched off.
4 If the battery is being jump-started
from the battery in another vehicle,
the two vehicles MUST NOT TOUCH
each other.
2 Ensure that all electrical equipment
(lights, heater, wipers, etc) is
switched off.
5/ Make sure that the transmission is in
neutral (or PARK, in the case of
automatic transmission).
Jump starting

0.8 Roadside repairs
Wheel changing
Some of the details shown here will vary
according to model. For instance, the location
of the spare wheel and jack is not the same
on all cars. However, the basic principles
apply to all vehicles.
Preparation
0 When a puncture occurs, stop as soon as
it is safe to do so.
0 Park on firm level ground, if possible,
and well out of the way of other traffic.
q Use hazard warning lights if necessary.
Changing the wheel
A
Warning: Do not change a wheel in a situation where you risk being hit by
!
other traffic. On busy roads, try to stop in a lay-by or a gateway.Be wary of
passing traffic while changing the wheel - it is easy to become distracted by
the job in hand.
0l If you have one, use a warning triangle to
alert other drivers of your presence.
0 Apply the handbrake and engage first or
reverse gear (or Park on models with
automatic transmission.
0 Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the
one being removed - a couple of large
stones will do for this.
0 If the ground is soft, use a flat piece of
wood to spread the load under the jack.
1
The spare wheel and tools are stored in
the luggage compartment. Unscrew the
wing nut and lift out the spare wheel
2
The jack is located beneath the spare
wheel. The wheel brace is on the right-
hand side of the luggage compartment
3
Remove the wheel trim . . .
4
. . . then slacken each wheel bolt by a
half turn 5
Locate the jack below the reinforced point
on the sill (don’t jack the vehicle at any
other point of the sill) and on firm ground
then turn the jack handle clockwise until the
wheel is raised clear of the ground
6
Unscrew the wheel bolts and remove the
wheel. Fit the spare wheel, and screw in
the bolts. Lightly tighten the bolts with
the brace, and lower the vehicle to the
ground.
7
Securely tighten the wheel bolts in the
sequence shown, Refit the wheel trim,
and stow the punctured wheel and tools.
8
The wheel bolts should be slackened and
retightened to the specified torque at the
earliest possible opportunity
Finally...
0 Remove the wheel chocks.
0 Stow the jack and tools in the correct
locations in the car.
0 Check the tyre pressure on the wheel just
fitted. If it is low, or if you don’t have a
pressure gauge with you, drive slowly to
the nearest garage and inflate the tyre to
the right pressure.
0 Have the damaged tyre or wheel repaired
as soon as possible.

Roadside repairs 0.9
Puddles on the garage floor or drive, or
obvious wetness under the bonnet or
underneath the car, suggest a leak that needs
investigating. It can sometimes be difficult to
decide where the leak is coming from,
especially if the engine bay is very dirty
already. Leaking oil or fluid can also be blown
rearwards by the passage of air under the car,
giving a false impression of where the
problem lies.
Sump oil
Engine oil may leak from the drain plug...
Antifreeze
Leaking antifreeze often leaves a crystalline
deposit like this.
When all else fails, you may find yourself
having to get a tow home - or of course you
may be helping somebody else. Long-distance
recovery should only be done by a garage or
breakdown service. For shorter distances, DIY
towing using another car is easy enough, but
observe the following points:
q Use a proper tow-rope - they are not
expensive. The vehicle being towed must
display an ‘ON TOW’ sign in its rear window.
q Always turn the ignition key to the ‘on’
position when the vehicle is being towed, so
that the steering lock is released, and that the
direction indicator and brake lights will work.
0 Only attach the tow-rope to the towing
eyes provided.
0 Before being towed, release the handbrake
and select neutral on the transmission.
0 Note that greater-than-usual pedal
A
Warning: Most automotive oils
!
and fluids are poisonous. Wash
them off skin, and change out of
contaminated clothing, without
delay.
. ..or from the base of the oil filter.
Brake fluid
A leak occurring at a wheel is almost
certainly brake fluid.
pressure will be required to operate the
brakes, since the vacuum servo unit is only
operational with the engine running.
0 On models with power steering, greater-
than-usual steering effort will also be required.
0 The driver of the car being towed must
keep the tow-rope taut at all times to avoid
snatching.
0 Make sure that both drivers know the route
before setting off.
q Only drive at moderate speeds and keep
the distance towed to a minimum. Drive
smoothly and allow plenty of time for slowing
down at junctions.
q The front towing eye is supplied as part 01
the tool kit stored in the luggage
compartment. To fit the eye, carefully prise
out the removable panel from the front
bumper. Securely screw the eye into position,
Identifying leaks
Gearbox oil
Gearbox oil can leak from the seals at the
inboard ends of the driveshafts.
Power steering fluid
Power steering fluid may leak from the pipe
connectors on the steering rack.
Towing
(noting that on some models it may have a
left-handed thread) and tighten using the
wheelbrace handle (see illustration).
The front towing eye is supplied as part of
the vehicle tool kit and must be screwed
into position

0.10 Weekly checks
Introduction
There are some very simple checks which
need only take a few minutes to carry out, but
which could save you a lot of inconvenience
and expense.
These “Weekly checks” require no great skill
or special tools, and the small amount of time
they take to perform could prove to be very
well spent, for example;
q Keeping an eye on tyre condition and
pressures, will not only help to stop them
wearing out prematurely, but could also save
your life.
0 Many breakdowns are caused by electrical
problems. Battery-related faults are particularly
common, and a quick check on a regular basis
will often prevent the majority of these.
Underbonnet check points
q If your car develops a brake fluid leak, the
first time you might know about it is when
your brakes don’t work properly. Checking
the level regularly will give advance warning of
this kind of problem.
0 If the oil or coolant levels run low, the cost
of repairing any engine damage will be far
greater than fixing the leak, for example.
1 1.3 litre model
A
Engine oil level dipstick
B
Engine oil filler cap
C
Coolant expansion tank
D
Brake fluid reservoir
E
Screen washer fluid reservoir
F
Battery
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Discover the 1990-1994 VW POLO Service Repair Manual, a comprehensive guide tailored to assist in maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting your VW POLO from 1990 to 1994. Whether you're a professional mechanic or a DIY enthusiast, this manual is your ultimate resource for keeping your VW POLO in optimal condition.
Key Features:
- Step-by-step instructions for various repairs and maintenance tasks
- Clear and detailed diagrams, illustrations, and photographs
- Comprehensive information on engine, electrical systems, transmission, suspension, brakes, and more
- Troubleshooting guides for issue diagnosis and resolution
- Proven techniques and tips from expert VW mechanics
Models Covered:
- 1990 VW POLO
- 1991 VW POLO
- 1992 VW POLO
- 1993 VW POLO
- 1994 VW POLO
Acquire the 1990-1994 VW POLO Service Repair Manual today to ensure your VW POLO performs at its best for years to come. Whether you require a quick repair or a detailed overhaul, this manual has got you covered!