Aaquil

That would be a great idea...save a lot of searching. A definitive guide.

Yes nappies excellent idea...steal some of the kids...they have some uses I suppose (the kids I mean!).

I will have to check that out...thanks again.

Nightmare...there are loads of posts about this at the moment. Had a ordeal with this as well! Hope you get it sorted.

Hi Had this problem myself and have got loads of great advice especially from Bowders 1...thanks mate! Did the area clean out around the pollen filter and bonnet release cable. I found to get in properly I did have to remove both wipers and the plastic trim at the bottom of the windscreen. Once removed the driver side trim had load of mud on the rubber seal that sits against the windscreen so cleaned that up. Cleaned the compost out of the rear part of the front wheel arches then poured loads of water in the pollen filter and bonnet release cable areas which then ran freely out down behind the wheel arches. Removed the drivers door card to reveal no membrane at all. Some was remaining around the speaker which was almost deflecting the water running outside the car into the car! So get this...got the dining table plastic covering (stops the kids ruining the wooden table) and cut it to size stuck it down with waterproof evo stick glue and waterproof Duct tape. Getting the door card back on was a nightmare! Checked the rear drivers side door today everything okay there. Oh yes one more thing, heaters on full blast and my mechanic friend while checking for another problem pulled the drain bung out (rear one) loads of water came out. I am leaving it out till after summer (if we get one hopefully will dry out). I am using those heavy duty Blue paper towels and leaving them in both footwells and the mats are drying (hopefully) in the garage! What a nightmare! My Mechanic friend mentioned about getting the carpets up as the soundproofing/underlay/sponge! will be soaked through. Had a look at what might be involved in that...a mans got to know his limitations. It will be like the door cards easy to get off...nightmare to get back on. BRISKODA rocks there is no way I would have had a clue without the great advice on here. Skoda would have charged an arm and a leg and would have taken me for a real ride!

Just did the scuttle panel today. Use WD40 to help get the wipers off and take you time with the panels. Do not use any tools at all you could crack the windscreen! Just get your fingers under the panel and lift up gently be patient and it will come off easy. I am no expert if I can do it anyone can. You will be surprised how much leaves and dirt gets in those areas. Just make sure the water is running down freely afterwards.

UPDATE...Just done the areas around the pollen filter and bonnet hatch cable. Cleared out the leaves and mud. Poured water in both areas and drained well through quite large holes on the side close to those areas and came out at the wheel arches (rear part where I cleaned out the compost). GREAT...lets get on with the drivers door panel...got the trim off and as expected the 'mechanics' that replaced the window mechanism a few years ago have totally removed the membrane!!! Now a need a replacement...ANY IDEAS? Anywhere I can get hold of some tomorrow maybe B&Q OR Halfords. Does it have to be clear and thin as the original was. Or should I just try SKODA when they are open. There is rolls of membrane you can buy off ebay not sure when it will be delivered? Many thanks for all the help...especially BOWDERS1 you have been a great help. Another thing I wanted to check..the grommets around the cable/wires near the pollen filter and around the bonnet hatch cable how do you know they are clear? I cleaned out all the mud and leaves and I poured water into both areas there was no build up and both sides drained from around the arches. So is that okay now?

One more thing...when I cleaned out the 'compost' from the DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL ARCH I found a block of foam and not knowing exactly where to fit it I just pushed it back up and screwed the plastic of the wheel arch back in place. Any ideas what it is for or where it should go?

Many thanks for the kind help. I will give it a go in the next few days. Will let you know how I get on...

Thank you so much for the help and advice will try to get on the case in the next few days. The guides are excellent! Great job that is just how people like me are able to save a hell of a lot of time and money doing these jobs. While I am in there cleaning it all out what am I looking for to check/fix? Pollen filter housing issue and bonnet cable? Regards Aaquil.

Have also pushed a cable tie into each drainage hole seems to be no blockage issues on both doors front and rear. Any suggestions if there is no membrane?!!!

Thanks for the clarification. I will get some waterproof duct tape that should hopefully be okay? Also the area where my pollen filter is and the cable for the bonnet latch has a lot of leaves stuck there. Can anyone help me out with an idea of how to get to that space to clear the area out and how to check the 'grommets'. Many thanks for the help. Aaquil

Also, which sealant would you recommend if I did need to seal the door and I found the leak. Ideally being the time of year something I could easily from Halfrauds or B&Q.

Thank you for the replies. Windscreen has not been replaced at all. However, a good few months ago I replaced the pollen filter and had a right nightmare getting the plastic panelling off at the bottom of the windscreen. The passenger side is perfectly dry though? I will have to do the door panel. Not sure will be able to just pop it off! Can anyone give me a guide to what to look for and seal when I finally get it off. The main leak is the rear footwell (driver side). The driver footwell has a wet patch (no way as much right in the centre of the carpet?!! Any ideas on that one? Again, many thanks for the help.

Slightly but none of the plastic trim or carpet up the sides of the footwell are wet?! A few years I had the electric window mechanism replaced on the drivers door. Also the wet patch in the drivers footwell seems to have appeared from nowhere right in the middle of the carpet.

Hi Hope you guys can help me out here...my 2002 Octavia 4x4 1.8T Elegance is giving me a major headache! A few weeks ago the rear car mat was wet I presumed one of my boys had decided to spill a load of water or juice in the back (where the younger ones usually sit). Gave them the usual lecture "...don't do it again blah, blah, blah." Now in the last few weeks we have had a lot of rain. Took them out today there is now a full puddle of water in the rear footwell and the driver footwell is a bit wet. Have been reading the different posts and have done a few things: 1. Cleaned the 'compost' from behind the plastic wheel arches on both sides at the front. 2. Checked the Sunroof for leaks and that the drain holes are free. Seemed okay but there was some moisture around the edges near the drain holes. Could be that? 3. Pollen filter issue changed i myself many months ago seemed fine and the leak is on the opposite side of the car. Only had a leak recently and it always rain up here in the Northwest. 4. Cable for the bonnet opening cannot see as that area is covered in leaves but the leaves are dry! It rained last night as well. 5. Check drain holes at the bottom of both doors they also seem fine. My mechanic friend said he would check it out but it will still cost me so please help out. Hope that all makes sense? Idiot guides much appreciated as well. What should I do next? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Aaquil

Thanks will maybe do it this weekend. Apart from a feeler gauge, compressed air and the correct socket set and torque wrench anything else needed?

Cheers for that and the required gap is?

Thanks for the replies guys so the spark plugs I have do I need to adjust the gap?

Thanks guys are the gap correct for these?

Could someone help me out and give me an idiots guide to replacing the Spark Plugs on my Octy 1.8T 4X4. I have NGK Laser Platinum PFR7Q. As far as I recall they are gapped correctly? Thanks

Thanks guys you have answered all my queries/concerns.

Hi Was wondering do the front wheels have to come off while replacing clutch and flywheel? Also, how long to take it easy after clutch fit have read 500 miles of 'stop start' driving? Thanks

That's a wicked looking car!!!

That is just spot on thanks for that!