1987 Volkswagen Jetta Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta spans seven trims, from Base and GL to the GLI 16-Valve and a Wolfsburg Edition. Four inline-fours are listed. A 1.8-liter gasoline engine came in both double-overhead-cam and single-overhead-cam form, and the diesels were a 1.6-liter (97 cu in) offered with or without a turbocharger. Neither gasoline version used forced induction. Two-door and four-door sedans make up the body lineup.

Engines covered

• 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — SOHC, naturally aspirated, diesel
• 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — SOHC, turbocharged, diesel
• 1.8L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 1.8L inline-four — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 2-door sedan
• 4-door sedan

Trims covered

• Base
• GL
• GLI
• GLI 16-Valve
• GX
• LX
• Wolfsburg Edition

Known issues on the 1987 Jetta. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year. On certain 1987 Jetta vehicles the right front brake line could rub against a neighboring part until it leaked, cutting braking in one circuit and lengthening stops; dealers reshaped or replaced the line. Certain cars also risked a burst heater core end cap spraying hot coolant into the cabin, and certain cars with a dual fuel pump system could have the pump seize in heat. Owners lodged 18 complaints, with visibility at 4 and engine and engine cooling at 3; one of those complaints reported a crash, one a fire and 3 an injury. Brake, cooling and fuel procedures and specifications here apply.