Volkswagen Bora Common Problems and Solutions
Complete Loss Of Turbo Power
Problem:
Your turbo starts to kick in, but then there’s a whooshing sound, and the turbo fails to work.
Solution:
Check your turbo pipe. It could be a simple case of reconnecting it if it has come loose. If it's all in place, then it has a crack somewhere. If the crack isn’t too severe, then you may be able to seal it. In most cases, it's safer to just order a new turbo pipe from us and easily replace the old one.
Difficulty level
Turbo Pipe
Loss Of Clutch Power
Problem:
The clutch has stopped working, and the car may not start.
Solution:
This can be a sign of a very serious issue. A machining defect inside the gearbox housing can allow parts of the gearbox to come through the bell housing. That leads to gearbox oil contaminating the clutch and damaging it beyond repair. The problem is that you won’t just have to replace the gearbox, you’ll also need to look through our spare parts list for a new clutch assembly, and maybe a flywheel, too, if it has become worn by the fault.
Difficulty level
Gearbox - Manual
Poor Running
Problem:
The Bora is running very poorly, and the temperature gauge may drop to zero.
Solution:
It’s very likely that you have a faulty coolant temperature sensor. These are fairly durable on the Bora, but all sensors will tend to fail eventually. You’ll easily find new sensors available in our store, and installation is a 2-minute job.
Difficulty level
Coolant Temperature Sensor
Boot Open Light Illuminated
Problem:
The boot open warning light is illuminated even though the boot is closed.
Solution:
Water ingress has damaged the boot latch, a commonly reported issue with the Bora. Try drying the boot latch, but if that doesn’t solve the problem, then you're going to need to order a new boot latch for delivery by us, although installation is very straightforward.
Difficulty level
Rear Windscreen Washer Not Working
Problem:
No water is coming out of the rear windscreen washer.
Solution:
It’s common on the Bora for the connection joint for the water supply to the rear washer to work its way loose. Reconnect the pipe and secure it in place with a standard jubilee clip.
Difficulty level
Windscreen Wiper Is Slow
Problem:
Your front or rear windscreen wiper is going back and forth too slowly.
Solution:
The fact that the wiper is still moving is a sign that this isn't a problem with the wiper motor. Instead, it’s the wiper linkage. Replace your linkage with new ones from our parts list.
Difficulty level
Wiper Linkage
Lack Of Brake Lights
Problem:
Your brake lights are not lighting up when you press the brake pedal.
Solution:
This could be a simple case of your brake bulbs having burnt out. You’ll find new bulbs available in our store but remember not to touch the bulbs themselves with your fingers as you fit them as this will reduce their lifespan. If changing the bulbs doesn’t work, then you have a faulty brake pedal switch, which we also have available for delivery.
Difficulty level
Power Loss (1.9TDL Model)
Problem:
You are experiencing a drop in power levels. There may also be excess amounts of white smoke coming from your exhaust when you accelerate. The Bora may also have difficulties starting.
Solution:
You have a sticking turbocharger, which usually means that it will need to be replaced. Browse our parts list for a new turbocharger and get a replacement unit delivered. This is a big job to do yourself, but there are a lot of guides that will show you how to install a new turbocharger on a Bora.
Difficulty level
Turbo Charger
Rattling Noise (All 1.6-ltr and 1.8-ltr Models)
Problem:
You can hear a rattling sound from the front of the car. The car may also be slow to start, especially from the cold.
Solution:
There's a big problem with these Boras, and it’s all down to the timing chain. If you can hear a rattling sound from the engine, then that’s a sign that your timing chain is on the way out. The problem is that, unlike on other cars, a faulty timing chain on a Bora means replacing the whole engine rather than just the chain. This is a huge job, but we do have complete Bora engines in stock if you decide to go that route.
Difficulty level
Engine Complete Full
DPF Warning Light (All diesels)
Problem:
Your DPF warning light is illuminated.
Solution:
This is caused by not taking the car out for some long drives, which give the DPF a chance to blow itself clean. A clogged DPF can lead to a wide range of performance problems, so take the Bora out for a long drive to see if the warning light turns off. If not, you’ll need to remove the DPF and clean it by hand. In some cases, it will be too clogged and damaged and will need to be replaced with a new filter from Breakeryard.
Difficulty level
Heater Malfunction
Problem:
The heater in the car has stopped working.
Solution:
This is very common on the Bora, and it's being caused by faulty heater resistors. You won't need to replace the entire heating system. Just order a new heater resistor from our parts page and easily install it.
Difficulty level
Heater Resistor
Misfiring engine
Problem:
If you have noticed that your engine is misfiring, then the usual cause on these cars is a coil tower failure.
Solution:
Replace the coil tower to fix the problem.
Difficulty level
Rough idling
Problem:
The usual cause of rough idling on these cars is either the inlet or the exhaust valves.
Solution:
Once you have identified which part is causing the problem, you will need to replace the faulty part to resolve it.
Difficulty level
Window drops into door and will not come up
Problem:
If you have come across this issue, it is down to a problem with the window regulator clips.
Solution:
You can get a window regulator repair kit which has new clips in it. Fitting these clips will resolve the issue. Watch the video below to see how to fix this problem:
Difficulty level
Water pump failure
Problem:
On these vehicles it is known for the water pump to fail over a period of time. When buying a used Bora always check that the water pump was changed at the same time as the cam belt.
Solution:
If your pump has failed you will need to replace the water pump to resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Water Pump
Clutch problems
Problem:
A common problem on several mark 4 Volkswagen vehicles was an issue with the clutch. If you have found that there is a problem with your clutch, the first place to check is the clutch pedal. In the middle of the pedal you will find a white patch with a rod connected to it, which is only held together with two spot welds. This is known to crack.
Solution:
This problem can easily be fixed by welding over the crack and strengthening the spot welds. If the rod is beyond repair, you will need to replace this part to resolve the issue.
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