Need some advice on 97 Polo purchase

[RisingPhoenix]

Hi Paul, Pontiff,

I'm just wondering how you tell if it's the vacuum pump causing issues with the central locking. I really should try and find a workshop manual I guess. Paul, if you have a working Vacuum pump, PM me, and we can strike up a deal. Otherwise, any ideas on finding them, or is VAG the only option?

Cheers,

Steve

[pontiff]

If it is just one door, its either the vacuum box on the locking mechanism or the vacuum hose to the door. If all doors dont work then its probably the pump, but could be the hose running out of the boot.

Either way i would not worry too much about it, its not going to be expensive to fix, just somewhat trial and error.

[MSF]

Thanks for the tips here and also the PM's received, I really appreciate it.

I went and had a look at on Sunday arvo and I now see why it was so cheap.

There was rust all around the front screen and in the roof beside the body runners
The body was in reasonable condition - few bumps and scratches.
The interior window switches were hanging out (an attempt to repair the faulty drivers one I suspect) but there was evidence of other dash panels being removed and replaced as it had more rattles than a baby shop. At this stage, I made my mind up that it wasn;t for me, - but still wanted to drive it as it always pays to drive as many as you can to see what the good ones feel like vs the bad ones... right..?

It certainly drove well enough, the gearbox felt fine, actually, the clutch and gearbox felt pretty good after everyone waswarning me about them... but unfortunately for me - the rust was just far too advanced to justify buying it

Thanks again for the tips..

For anyone interested - It's white, Rego'd until 8/8/11 and located in Belrose, (NSW) - The bloke who owns it is a surfie dude who has been offered a good job in the mines, so it has to go. It's lived most of it's life on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, hence the rust. He is asking $1500 ono - so if anyone i9s interested - PM me and I'll give you the mobile number of the owners mate who is selling it for him now that he is away .

[RisingPhoenix]

Thanks Pontiff,

Is the VAG dealer the only option for the Vacuum pump? Or are there alternatives? Also, the vacuum hose seems quite tight. What kind of fitting is it? Any easy removal method you can recommend?

Cheers,

Steve

[jets]

If you can establish that a new pump is required & you don't mind buying SH, they should be available from the wreckers. I had a quick look on ebayUK & they seem to be around 15 pounds.

[RisingPhoenix]

I'd be interested to know if anyone has a diagnostics check list for the vacuum pump, rather than just throwing parts at the problem.

Cheers,

Steve

[sports racer]

What are the symptoms?

[RisingPhoenix]

Central locking doesn't work at all when unlocking or locking doors. Fuel cap never locks when doors are locked. I've also found passenger side lock doesn't like the drivers key, and boot lock requires a weird 1 1/3rd turn held to unlock (if that makes sense IE can't leave unlocked)