VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[WelshGas]

Hi Custardtart
The first 'repair' was in April 2013 - and was a respray of the front panel and replacement of the main roof. I assume this was prior to VWs modified repair process of replacing/covering the front panel.

It would be.

 

[Custardtart]

Thanks for that - good to hear that the replacement panels haven't started corroding.

 

[Hotel California]

Think this has been discussed in the diffrent roofcorrosion treads , it is not hard at all to check under the seal . Removing the seal by parts does not do any damage at all to eigther the seal or the roof and can be done even by someone with two left hands and no mecanical background ....it only does damage to your own ego finding out your precious Cali does have invisible corrosion....
I think every Cali owner should regular do this action , say when cleaning/washing the verhicle.
Enjoy this thriller produced by @hotel california

 

[calikev]

Top work wim very useful

 

[estresao]

Thanks Hotel California. Usefull.

 

[Judyl]

Hi, I have just been contact by Inchcape Chelmsford to have my T5 2010 roof corrosion repaired. Am waiting a call back to discuss next steps. Does anyone have any key information I should find out before I hand over the van.

Hi Trevor.
Inchcape Chelmsford have had mine for the last 2 weeks and I am expecting it back tomorrow. It went to a bodyshop in Peckham , fingers crossed that it will be OK, I have waited over 2 years to get it sorted.

 

[RichardP]

Hi Trevor.
Inchcape Chelmsford have had mine for the last 2 weeks and I am expecting it back tomorrow. It went to a bodyshop in Peckham , fingers crossed that it will be OK, I have waited over 2 years to get it sorted.

"Over 2 years", you're lucky! We've been waiting over 3 1/2 years and are still don't even have a date to take the van in.

If I'd not been so busy this year, I'd have started legal proceedings.

It's a farce.

 

[Judyl]

My van has just come back from repair and its not a thing of great beauty. The black mastic under the cap at the front in very uneven with some really thick bits and some much thinner bits at the side. Is this just how they all look now ? Its quite hard to photograph it looks much worse when you are standing in front of it..
View attachment 19861

 

[2into1]

@Judyl I note from your signature details that your van is 2009. Is that correct, as I would have thought you were outside the range of VW's 6 year "warranty" period?

 

[WelshGas]

@Judyl I note from your signature details that your van is 2009. Is that correct, as I would have thought you were outside the range of VW's 6 year "warranty" period?

With the waits some people have had for the repair, measured in years, then the claim was probably put in sometime in 2015.

View attachment 19862 My van has just come back from repair and its not a thing of great beauty. The black mastic under the cap at the front in very uneven with some really thick bits and some much thinner bits at the side. Is this just how they all look now ? Its quite hard to photograph it looks much worse when you are standing in front of it..
View attachment 19861

That is NOT good workmanship. I would take photographs and ask VWCS if that is acceptable and to VW's expected standard for this repair?

 

[Judyl]

With the waits some people have had for the repair, measured in years, then the claim was probably put in sometime in 2015.



That is NOT good workmanship. I wouyears ld take photographs and ask VWCS if that is acceptable and to VW's expected standard for this repair?

The claim was put in over 2 years ago and has had to be registered twice. The work only got done when i started phoning my local garage twice a week to politely ask what was happening. Actually the local contact, Maureen, has been brilliant. She is as frustrated with Vw central as the rest of us are. The photos have been forwarded by her to Simon field at Vw central and he has said he will review next week. In the meantime i am getting the van ready for its first weekend away next week and then 2 weeks away over Easter ending up at the camping and caravan club folk group meet which is always good fun

 

[Custardtart]

Judyl - that doesn't look right to me. I've got different concerns about mine but where the front meets the windscreen is even all the way across so I would definitely take that back to VWCS.

 

[Custardtart]

It grinds you down - being spun around for year after year - get onto this list, get onto that list, bring it in, bring it in again and again and again. Eventually when you get it "fixed" and it comes back looking rather less than factory spec it's miserable.

 

[Sheffield10]

As a soon to be a T6 owner I shall be endeavoring to make sure that VW, who seem to have miserably failed to cure roof corrosion problem, at least give T6 owners the peace of mind of the 6 year warranty. I see no reason why the 6 year warranty should not apply to all California’s owners, that is the least I would expect!

I have it in writing from my dealer and VWCS that the goodwill warranty extension for roof corrosion does not apply to the T6. The standard 3 year warranty is all you get. They also state the two year warranty extension you can buy on a new van does not cover the paintwork. Feeling reassured that VW are taking their design fault seriously?

 

[SusiBus]

A group of members is trying to get together to meet VW to discuss roof corrosion. Please could you PM me with your phone number so we can discuss your response from VW. Graham

 

[briwy]

Just checked ours after a week in Scotland and it has started to go under the seal and small bubble on the front panel at the left hand front corner.
Checked it before we went while loading he van and it was OK then so gone over this last week.
Off to the dealer I guess but I'm intwo minds whether to bother or just get our trusted bodyshop to do it having seen what a mess some of the VW repairs are.

 

[WelshGas]

Just checked ours after a week in Scotland and it has started to go under the seal and small bubble on the front panel at the left hand front corner.
Checked it before we went while loading he van and it was OK then so gone over this last week.
Off to the dealer I guess but I'm intwo minds whether to bother or just get our trusted bodyshop to do it having seen what a mess some of the VW repairs are.

I tend to agree. The Elevating Roof - a body shop you trust. Although it will cost you can control the process and hassle.

The Front Section. The original repair was good, but this new type repair seems very low tech and low quality. Personally I would seriously consider a good bodyshop, even if it has to be repeated in a few years.
Maybe a colour contrast and maybe a different paint type.

 

[BerndRos]

Before the VW approved process etc, I had issues re the front panel, I think in 2013. It was sent to a local VW approved paint shop and I guess rubbed down and painted, 5 years later and still perfect....

Am waiting for treatment to the main roof which is bubbling beneath and on the top edge of the rubber seal...given the fiascos people are going through,do I bother letting the incompetents have my van ?

 

[Irishladdie]

Has anyone considered or wrapped their roof? Was considering doing it just to protect from general grim anyway, but would it also protect/ reduce the corrosion issue?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Has anyone considered or wrapped their roof? Was considering doing it just to protect from general grim anyway, but would it also protect/ reduce the corrosion issue?

Interesting take. Hadn't thought about this potential solution, particularly if outside warranty period. (but then why would I when I'm 2 1/2 years away from worrying too much).
I will be interested what the more experienced hands have to say too.

 

[Palm]

I believe that roof wrapping is more for the spectators than a solution to the corrosion issue ti self. My believe is that it is a construction issue we are discussing. mixing metal and alloys of different types is difficult. Corrosion of Aluminum and Its Alloys: Forms of Corrosion
< http://www.totalmateria.com/page.aspx?ID=CheckArticle&site=ktn&NM=187 >

 

[Loz]

I believe that roof wrapping is more for the spectators than a solution to the corrosion issue ti self.

Agreed, I was thinking more of a pre-preventative option before the problem starts..

 

[T6 CFO]

I was thinking more of a pre-preventative option before the problem starts..

I'm with you as it's something that just may prevent it and can be removed. In any case it's doing something positive so will make me feel better about it.

Mike

 

[briwy]

I don't think wrapping or anything else would help. It's not as if the corrosion is caused by chips in the coating but coming from underneath the paint.
If it is a reaction between the alloy and steel then I guess the only cure is to electrically isolate the roof structure from the body.
I wonder how other manufacturers who have been mixing steel and alloy panels for years prevent the problem.
Or is it just crap preparation or the wrong kind of paint/application.

 

[Ajspicer]

Our 2010 Cali SE is heading into Heritage Bristol on Friday for an estimated 2 weeks for front panel botch job and elevating section repaint.

WE are getting a courtesy Ocean and a "free gift" for waiting over 3 years for the repair which is a bonus.

Will update when we get it back.

Andrew.