One here for the thinkers. Have a look at the design of the bonnet where it meets the wings - no drain channel as is usual on most cars. They've managed to save 5p's worth of tin.

This looks to me a potential problem for the future from water ingress, as the omission of a drain channel means that water can run into the engine compartment via the gap between the bonnet and the wings. Not a particular problem on the drivers side, but on the passenger side in the engine compartment there are some electrical connectors that seem to get wet, behind and below the general area of the headlight unit.

Any thoughts anyone? This looks like a classic case for a future recall to fit some sort of trim to stop this from happening. On the other hand, perhaps someone knows that this is a deliberate design feature to assist dumping of heat from the engine compartment or something equally bizarre!.

Looks the same design as my last few cars. The engine bays have got mucky as a result.

I know what you mean Vectensian..

Where I would normally see a water channel to protect the engine bay, there is definately not one there on my 2010 Elegance. In fact, as Skoda have made the point where bonnet stand clips into the frame bright orange, you can clearly see it when the bonnet is dropped, which means there is a chance of water getting into the engine compartment.

The electrical system on the passengers side appears to be pretty well sealed from water, so I wouldn't worry about this..

As it has finished raining a number of hours ago - the engine bay was pretty dry, just a couple of water spots here and there (one on the master fuse / relay box).

Anyone care to guess if this was by design or a flaw??

I know what you mean Vectensian..

Where I would normally see a water channel to protect the engine bay, there is definately not one there on my 2010 Elegance. In fact, as Skoda have made the point where bonnet stand clips into the frame bright orange, you can clearly see it when the bonnet is dropped, which means there is a chance of water getting into the engine compartment.

The electrical system on the passengers side appears to be pretty well sealed from water, so I wouldn't worry about this..

As it has finished raining a number of hours ago - the engine bay was pretty dry, just a couple of water spots here and there (one on the master fuse / relay box).

Anyone care to guess if this was by design or a flaw??

Mate, I think you need to resize your pictures!

Whoops.. I think SWMBO has been messing with the camera - I had it set at the proper resolution..

Anyway - just had a downpour with the wrath of Thor and when it stopped I decided to take a peek under the bonnet.

Sure enough, the fuse box was drenched, although I'm guessing it's pretty water tight as I had no electrical issues..

I have to pop round the dealers, so will put it to them about this and let you know.

I dont get the issue here really. It is not like the radiator is a water barrier.

I'm sure everything under the bonnet has to be OK geting wet regardless of gutters or not.

I dont get the issue here really. It is not like the radiator is a water barrier.

I'm sure everything under the bonnet has to be OK geting wet regardless of gutters or not.

I can't disagree with that logic tbh, when I detail my car I will use the power washer under the bonnet (albeit turned down low) I just wrap foil around the vunerable parts - cone filter exposed electrics etc, have a look at this link from detailing world, it explains what needs protecting when cleaning the engine bay.

If its safe to jet spray an engine, I don't think a bit of water ingress from a down pour should cause to much of a problem.

HTH

... I just wrap foil around the vunerable parts - cone filter exposed electrics etc ...

FOIL? Last time I checked - back in school when we did physics - Foil conducts electricity..

FOIL? Last time I checked - back in school when we did physics - Foil conducts electricity..

See above detailing world link for confirmation!

I've pressure washed my engine compartment with foil covering the 'generator' (as the manual) as described above with no problems at all.

The fact that aluminium foil is a conductor isn't an issue because none of the positive conductors should be exposed.

Les.

Thanks for the replies - it will be interesting to see if Hotrod gets any sort of meaningful response from the dealer.

Manufacturers don't always get things right first time and there have been many recalls over the years involving most manufacturers who have dropped clangers, or have had to introduce mods to cope with detrimental aspects or flaws in the design that subsequently became apparent in real life conditions.

I seem to remember that the design of the bonnet did cause some water problems when the Oct 2 first appeared... somewhere on here I remember reading weird electrical problems. The cause was water getting into the fuse box which sits right under the bonnet closure - I seem to remember that Skoda sorted this very quickly by putting a water proof seal under the fuse box lid ( if you open the fuse box make sure you put the lid back on properly ) and I don't remember seeing anybody mention the problem since. I have now had 2 Mk2 Octavias and although it seems a little odd compared with other designs it doesn't seem to cause a problem. The lack of gutters is not a problem and may even help by allowing rain water to run through, avoiding the sludge and water sitting in corners as it does so often in cars with bonnet gutters. The fuse box issue was dealt with very early and the gutterless design has stayed for 6 years so I don't think you could regard it as a mistake really. What about latest facelift... I wonder if that grew gutters after the redesign of the wing for the new headlamps...

Popped into Eardleys this morning - Their service guy checked this out and said that this is not an issue, as long as the fuse box is replaced properly as it's water tight.. I didn't want him to prove this to me (especially not on my car).

As HugoTheBear states - it may even aid in the extraction of rainwater.