UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi all,

I have put a deposit on a 2002 1.4S from the dealer to collect this weekend.

I have read the common problems with:

- Suspension (when reversing esp) and up/down hill gradients
- Creaking cabin
- Rear wash/wipe tube coming loose.

So, anything else I should be worried about?
It'll have a years VW warranty and it's done 33,200miles - they are going to service it AND replace the cambelt (which I thought odd at such a low mileage). I thought it would be around 60k miles?

Does this car have an onbaord computer/service interval system like BMW's?

Any help is much appreciated!


im333

hello and welcome,

it will either be a fixed interval or a variable one. fixed is every year / 12k? and variable will depend (obviously). both are controlled by the computer.

make sure they definitely do the cambelt - last thing you want is for them to say they've done it but actually not do it......

very odd to do it at 33k, but it is 4 years old.

Thanks.

How will I be able to tell if the cambelt HAS been changed?
Is there a computer display/countdown of LED's on the dash, etc for the compuer?

coil packs failing have been a problem for me.

mine was a 2002 model, i think some of that age were faulty

M7 wrote:coil packs failing have been a problem for me.

mine was a 2002 model, i think some of that age were faulty

excuse my ignorance but what exactly are these and how can i tell if they are failing?

im333 wrote:
So, anything else I should be worried about?

im333

See this thread under Known issues:
http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... php?t=2248

The other issue that seems to be common is heating/cooling system can be tempermental -- hot warm or cold randomly. The temperapture and fresh air intakes are control by a couple of motors that adjust their functions can jam some times. This is a problem on Climatic (semi auto AC) and Climatronic (auto AC). Not sure if your 'S' model has AC. If it has then it's most likely to be Climatic (without LCD display).

Happens on mine and my bro's (he has a 1.9 TDI). On mine, if I turn up the temp past 18 deg C on the dial, it will get really hot in the cabin even after setting the temperature dial to BLUE (coldest). It would stay there for a while (while I sweat it out). On my bro's car, the temp would just get hot randonly and within a few seconds go back to set temp. I am not so lucky. YOu may ask why do I put up with it ? It's bloody expensive to fix (several hours of labour and two motors worth about 60 quid each)

To test: You ought to run the engine for a while till it's hot and adjust the temp dial so that it is more than 24. Wait for a while (or till you have sweated enough) and turn the dial all the way back to the lowest temp. The heating unit should immediately start to throw cold air out of the vents. Then turn temp up to make sure it rises again and the lowest setting to make sure it cools. If it has an AC button, leave it OFF.

Check the warranty as the car is 5 years old -- not sure you are covered by manufacturers warranty even if it has only done 33k. Mention to the dealer that you know about heater problems in Polo's and that you want it fixed if it happens to you (I am sure it want).

PS. A warm welcome to the world of Polo's

vwpolo16v wrote:

im333 wrote:
So, anything else I should be worried about?

im333

See this thread under Known issues:
http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... php?t=2248

The other issue that seems to be common is heating/cooling system can be tempermental -- hot warm or cold randomly. The temperapture and fresh air intakes are control by a couple of motors that adjust their functions can jam some times. This is a problem on Climatic (semi auto AC) and Climatronic (auto AC). Not sure if your 'S' model has AC. If it has then it's most likely to be Climatic (without LCD display).

Happens on mine and my bro's (he has a 1.9 TDI). On mine, if I turn up the temp past 18 deg C on the dial, it will get really hot in the cabin even after setting the temperature dial to BLUE (coldest). It would stay there for a while (while I sweat it out). On my bro's car, the temp would just get hot randonly and within a few seconds go back to set temp. I am not so lucky. YOu may ask why do I put up with it ? It's bloody expensive to fix (several hours of labour and two motors worth about 60 quid each)

To test: You ought to run the engine for a while till it's hot and adjust the temp dial so that it is more than 24. Wait for a while (or till you have sweated enough) and turn the dial all the way back to the lowest temp. The heating unit should immediately start to throw cold air out of the vents. Then turn temp up to make sure it rises again and the lowest setting to make sure it cools. If it has an AC button, leave it OFF.

Check the warranty as the car is 5 years old -- not sure you are covered by manufacturers warranty even if it has only done 33k. Mention to the dealer that you know about heater problems in Polo's and that you want it fixed if it happens to you (I am sure it want).

PS. A warm welcome to the world of Polo's

Many thanks for this.
The spec states Air-Conditioning and also Climate Control; not sure if it the climatronic ar digital display style - yet to see the car!

vwpolo16v wrote:

im333 wrote:
So, anything else I should be worried about?

im333

See this thread under Known issues:
http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... php?t=2248

The other issue that seems to be common is heating/cooling system can be tempermental -- hot warm or cold randomly. The temperapture and fresh air intakes are control by a couple of motors that adjust their functions can jam some times. This is a problem on Climatic (semi auto AC) and Climatronic (auto AC). Not sure if your 'S' model has AC. If it has then it's most likely to be Climatic (without LCD display).

Happens on mine and my bro's (he has a 1.9 TDI). On mine, if I turn up the temp past 18 deg C on the dial, it will get really hot in the cabin even after setting the temperature dial to BLUE (coldest). It would stay there for a while (while I sweat it out). On my bro's car, the temp would just get hot randonly and within a few seconds go back to set temp. I am not so lucky. YOu may ask why do I put up with it ? It's bloody expensive to fix (several hours of labour and two motors worth about 60 quid each)

To test: You ought to run the engine for a while till it's hot and adjust the temp dial so that it is more than 24. Wait for a while (or till you have sweated enough) and turn the dial all the way back to the lowest temp. The heating unit should immediately start to throw cold air out of the vents. Then turn temp up to make sure it rises again and the lowest setting to make sure it cools. If it has an AC button, leave it OFF.

Check the warranty as the car is 5 years old -- not sure you are covered by manufacturers warranty even if it has only done 33k. Mention to the dealer that you know about heater problems in Polo's and that you want it fixed if it happens to you (I am sure it want).

PS. A warm welcome to the world of Polo's

Many thanks for this.
The spec states Air-Conditioning and also Climate Control; not sure if it the climatronic ar digital display style - yet to see the car!

im333 wrote:

M7 wrote:coil packs failing have been a problem for me.

mine was a 2002 model, i think some of that age were faulty

excuse my ignorance but what exactly are these and how can i tell if they are failing?

Many of today's vehicles are equipped with D.I.S. or distributorless ignition systems. These vehicles do not use a distributor. In place of the distributor they use sensors to fire an ignition coil pack. There are two styles of ignition coil packs. The first type of coil pack has all the coils mounted on one mounting pad. If any of the coils are found to be defective, the entire coil pack must be replaced.

The second type of coil pack has all the coils mounted individually on a mounting pad. On this system, if one coil is found to be defective, it may be replaced as a separate unit. Testing procedures on these coils are the same as the procedures described earlier. As always you should refer to a specific automotive service manual for details and specifications on your vehicle.




im not sure which type the polo is, i think it may be the 2nd type as mine has been in twice for the coil pack problem and vw mentioned it was a common fault and replaced it on warrenty.

If the previous owner has had it for long, chances are the coilpacks are probably sorted.

Best thing to do is lift the top engine cover off and you can see the part numbers of the coilpacks. The ones that VW sell at the moment are the modified ones. Get the part number of this and compare it to the ones in the car. If all the coils correspond to the part number of this modified coil it should be fine.

If not, they may fail in the future. Beware that theres a shortage of them apparently in the UK at the moment!