1990 Volkswagen Jetta Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1990 Volkswagen Jetta covers a range topped by a 2.0-liter (121 cu in) gasoline four with double overhead cams. Below it sat a 1.8-liter single-cam gasoline engine and two 1.6-liter (97 cu in) diesels, one turbocharged and one not; the four engines are inline-fours. The seven trims include Basico, Carat, GLI Carat and GTX 16-V, and the car came as a four-door or two-door sedan.

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 — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 2.0L inline-four (121 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan
• 2-door sedan

Trims covered

• Base
• Basico
• Carat
• GL
• GLI 16-Valve
• GLI Carat
• GTX 16-V

Known issues on the 1990 Jetta. The record shows 6 recalls for the 1990 Jetta. Certain 1990 Jetta vehicles left the factory without the ducts that direct cooling air to the front brake calipers, so brake fluid could overheat and boil, cutting brake pressure; dealers installed the missing ducts. On certain others, a power steering pump bracket sat too tight against the oil pan flange and could crack, loosening the pump and belt and making steering suddenly heavier; that recall covered 225 vehicles. Engine and engine cooling top the 23 complaints at 7; one complaint reported a crash and one a fire. Steering, brake and engine torque values, procedures and diagnostics here relate directly.