Last year I advised SUK of a potential issue with my VRS. Due to the design of the front wings there is a large open aperture under the bonnet in each wing with nothing to stop anything falling inside the wing. My VRS lives outside with several large trees nearby so this time of year leaves are a problem. Whilst cleaning under the bonnet of my VRS today I checked the wings and removed three quarters of a bucket-full of leaves from inside the wings.

The leaves were dry but what happens when these get wet and rot inside the wings.

Has anyone else noticed this.

No, but I'm going to look under the bonnet tomorrow.

Unless you leave the bonnet open how do they get in there though?

Are the not just large drain holes? But protected by the grillage on the scuttle panel?

I never get leaves in mine, a few around the bottom of the windscreen yes, but not through and into the large drain holes.

There is a rubber seal between the scuttle and the engine bay which seals when the bonnet is closed. The leaves go over the grill in the scuttle onto the top of the wing and into the open hole in the wing. There is a rubber block further down the top of the wing to stop anything going over into the engine bay but the large hole further up is completely open.

Why don't you put some pictures ?

mk2 was same wasn't it? I that was a std "feature" of most VW type vehicles. I empty the compost out of the wings about every 2 years

With a leaf blower ?

 

With a leaf blower ?

pull the mudflaps & guard liner off - about 3 screws. Hose it out & give it a scrub with a wheel brush. job done.

This is not just common to the vRS. Is the vRS not just an octavia with some tuning? The panels are like for like.

The steel on the car is galvanised and primed with an undercoat it should not rot from the inside. Good luck.

I get a few in the corners near the hinges - removal is just part of my weekly "service" - i.e. oil check, top up screen wash etc.

I've never known them do any harm.

As above, periodically remove the lower wheel arch retaining bolt down near the mud flaps, you'll be amazed how much debris is behind there.

 

Anything that lands in or around the wipers will work its way down there eventually.

 

 

 

This isn't unique to Skoda either, all my previous cars have done this.

 

I also find that this often results in a lot of unwanted leaves...

 

Edited 10 January, 201511 yr by silver1011

As above, periodically remove the lower wheel arch retaining bolt down near the mud flaps, you'll be amazed how much debris is behind there.

 

Anything that lands in or around the wipers will work its way down there eventually.

 

 

 

This isn't unique to Skoda either, all my previous cars have done this.

 

 

 

 

Does the wheel have to come off to get the panel open?

I've notice it too and don't have many trees that close to me.

I reckon somebody's sneaking them in there when I'm not looking. :(

Does the wheel have to come off to get the panel open?

 

I can't say for sure on the MkIII but it doesn't on the MkII.

 

Turning the wheel to full lock should get you all the clearance you need.

Does the wheel have to come off to get the panel open?

Photo 2 says no.

Photo 2 says no.

 

I thought that too, but photo 1 says yes.  Maybe just easier to take them off ???

You don't have to take the wheel off. By the time you have done you could have cleared it out anyway

Sent from my Galaxy S5

I thought that too, but photo 1 says yes.  Maybe just easier to take them off ???

They might have been doing other cleaning under there? Or there tool kit didn't have quite the right items?

 

I do mine with the wheel on.

 

IIRC it's a #2 torx bit you'll need but you can fudge it with an allen key

They might have been doing other cleaning under there? Or there tool kit didn't have quite the right items?

 

I do mine with the wheel on.

 

IIRC it's a #2 torx bit you'll need but you can fudge it with an allen key

 

I'll check mine at the weekend - will be putting winter wheels on so will do it at the same time.  Ta for the tip on the Torx driver.  I have a set of long handle ones in the shed (somewhere!).... that is...unless SWMBO hasn't been "tidying up" again.

Edited 15 January, 201511 yr by Smeghead

Just spotted this on detailing world, it's an Audi A3

 

That can't be doing it much good.

Once the cold weather is over I think I'll investigate some sort of mesh to put over the top of the hole to stop the worst of it getting in.

Just spotted this on detailing world, it's an Audi A3

 

If that's a new mqb A3 im surprised at the level of rust on the end of that sill cover and missing paint!

If that's a new mqb A3 im surprised at the level of rust on the end of that sill cover and missing paint!

 

no, its the last A3