Hi,

I've recently acquired a 2001 110 TDi hatch. After replacing the MAF and anti-roll bar bushes it's a great car!

Just a couple of naive questions though:

1. Whilst jetwashing all the crud off I notice the chassis (and sills) are full of holes which have plastic plugs in. All the old cars I've owned I've tried to ensure water/crud can find its way out but this seems designed to keep it in!? Or is it out? :confused: Are these cars rust-prone? A friend's late 90's Skoda was pretty rusty by this age

2. The hanbrake I found poor (rear discs btw). But I seem to recall someone in a forum saying to apply the footbrake at the same time. This seems to improve it dramatically. Is that normal pratice?

Probably to keep the cavity wax in place after its splurged in.

My 2002 car has no rust (at least not as of May there). And Skoda did a 10 year anti-perforation warranty, which covers any rust coming through from the inside.

The footbrake thing takes up all the slack and wear in the piston and pad system, so the self-adjustor on the HB gets to do its thing easier. You should do it sometimes, but it shouldn't be necessary every time.

If you pop the front wheel arch cover plugs off and pull it forward you will reveal a hole. You can then wash a large amount of water down there from the drain area below the windscreen. This will probably result in a large amount of decomposing leaf and similar is washed out.

Can't say I noticed any rust anywhere when I had a MK I

After than you can just let it dry out for a bit then pop the cover back in place.

Many thanks for the speedy replies guys. The previous owner had driven it across fields so it came with an inch of crud underneath that I've hosed off.

I'll stop worrying now!