UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Greeting all, I'm new to this forum, I've had my GTI 'W' plate 53K miles from new and seem to have had my share of common problems.

Bubbling of paint on boot handle (aluminium has gone porus and let moisture through metal, replaced under warranty)

Exhaust hanger has now been welded twice (I think this is a design fault, as there must be to much strain on bracket)

Pedal box has been replaced in Aug 03 but had to pay 1/2 the cost £160 as car was out with warranty (should be getting a cheque back from VW shortly) car goes in on Tuesday for the rest of the recall parts. Although it has taken 2 waisted visits for them to tell me this.

The break light switch works on a ratchet mechanism so that it is always set at the same clearance distance and has to be reset if removed.

Finally anybody else noticed since pedalbox replacement that if you lift off the throttle, the engine management is a lot more jerky. There is a switch on the accelerator pedal. I don't know if it is a ratchet mechanism like the brakelight switch and maybe needs reset also.

Hello and welcome !

I know what u mean about he jerky engine management, i'm the 2nd owner but its always seemed to be like this, i've just gotten used to it really

My problems to date are 1) water pump died 2) radiator fan died 3) pedal box and clutch replaced 4) Indicator stalk broken i.e wouldn't cancel after coming out of a bend. 5) Air bag slip ring faulty (twice) causing the steering wheel to make a horrible grinding sound when turning. Failed drivers electric window switch. 6) corrosion on alloy wheels. All faults were luckily replaced under warranty. Although the car has given problems, when its good I love it and it this helps iron out all the bad stuff thats happened.

Welcome mate (waves)

Nice lot of tips for all on your first post - Good stuff!

I note the throttle "jerkiness" - getting my car back today so will check this out. I thought it was just the engine torque! There may be an adjustment on the pedal for cable slack. The tighter the cable, the more jerky the throttle will be. Similarly, the clutch is manually sprung loaded, but to get the right amount of play in the pedal of 1/2 inch before top down on the pedal, the spring is virtually compressed - thus there's no dampening much. It may be the same with the throttle...

Exhaust middle bracket is a known problem with VW.

Brake light switch sounds like my problem perhaps... Still, it's supposedly fixed today. I'll ask them about this when I pick it up as they recogned the brake switches they replaced were faulty.