Help!...I've got a leak.

[fraser500]

I really hope someone can help with this, I'm at my witts end.

Only had my California a few weeks and was really pleased with it until I noticed my teabags were getting damp in the cupboard.
Upon further investigation I noticed water dripping down from inside the cubboard right at the back on the cupboard just above the waste water tank. See pi attached.

I initially thought it would be the sliding window as I'm aware these are prone to leaks but after complely sealing that up the leak was still there.

So I taped up around all the windows on that side of the van but unfortunatly its still dripping in the same place.

I've cleared all the drain holes front and back on the roof and cleaned out along roof channels but its still leaking.

I'm at a loss at this point and wondered if anyone had any advice on this issue or where I should check next?

I really like this Van as its a 4Motion with a very good spec but I cannot put up with a leak.

I look forward to someone being able to shed some light on this.

Many thanks in advance.

Fraser

 

[MartG]

Have a search on the forum - there's quite a lot of folks with window channel drain hole blockage issues, usually manifesting in wet behind kitchen cupboards...

 

[ArunAlec]

If you are 100% sure it’s not the sliding window and dodgy drains (as @MartG points to above) . Could it be the seal around the side glass?
Leaking water pipe to tap or leaking waste? I found stuffing paper towels up behind the kitchen under the window was a good way of identifying the point at which the water was getting in.
In my case it was the sliding window and faulty drain.
A bore scope came in handy to see up behind the sink.

 

[jts46]

I have a leak form the rear washer feed pipe behind the wardrobe. So don't use rear washer

 

[Hotel California]

Was it when the Cali was standing still or after driving ?
Water could come from the rear and while driving flooding to the front

 

[AlisonF]

Following this thread as although I know my sliding window is leaking, I’m just wondering if there is more afoot...

 

[fraser500]

Many thanks will have a look at those, although I have taped all around the sliding window and now around the whole of the window edges.

 

[fraser500]

Was it when the Cali was standing still or after driving ?
Water could come from the rear and while driving flooding to the front

When it’s parked up it happens, thanks for your reply though.

 

[fraser500]

Was it when the Cali was standing still or after driving ?
Water could come from the rear and while driving flooding to the front

it’s dripping from the support bit above the waste water tank. Only happens when it rains and I can’t see to make it leak with the hose pipe. All very odd indeed.

 

[ArunAlec]

Following this thread as although I know my sliding window is leaking, I’m just wondering if there is more afoot...

So long as the two drains are doing their job then a bit of seepage through the window seal should not be an issue..... but the drain, that’s another story!

 

[MartG]

You've done what I'd do, tape up the window to eliminate it. Have you also taped the bottom of the window (gap) as that's where the drains eject from - could the high winds we've had push back up any water collecting there?
If that's eliminated, only leaves the roof drains / gutter, but I'd have expected that to show at front A pillar or rear tail gate / wardrobe area...

 

[EddieEagle]

I had water appear on the floor after the really heavy rain last year.
I taped up my window exactly as you have done and for me its now dryasabone.
I have wondered about the seal between the whole glass window and the body but for me when the weather improves I will be trying to improve on what is basically a c$*p design.

 

[AlisonF]

You've done what I'd do, tape up the window to eliminate it. Have you also taped the bottom of the window (gap) as that's where the drains eject from - could the high winds we've had push back up any water collecting there?
If that's eliminated, only leaves the roof drains / gutter, but I'd have expected that to show at front A pillar or rear tail gate / wardrobe area...

I spotted a puddle at rear near the wardrobe a while back... couldn’t work out why... now I’m joining the dots...

 

[fraser500]

I have a leak form the rear washer feed pipe behind the wardrobe. So don't use rear washer

Thanks for the head up on this.

 

[fraser500]

I spotted a puddle at rear near the wardrobe a while back... couldn’t work out why... now I’m joining the dots...

Thanks for your reply, yes taped up the sliding window and the main side window as a whole and still it leaks.

ive got the big syringe and made a good fitting thing to go into the drain holes at the front and they are all clear.

the only thing now is if one of the tubes inside the a pillar have come apart???

If you are 100% sure it’s not the sliding window and dodgy drains (as @MartG points to above) . Could it be the seal around the side glass?
Leaking water pipe to tap or leaking waste? I found stuffing paper towels up behind the kitchen under the window was a good way of identifying the point at which the water was getting in.
In my case it was the sliding window and faulty drain.
A bore scope came in handy to see up behind the sink.

Thanks for your reply and some really helpful suggestions. Going to pop some paper towel up there and see if I can get hold of a bore scope.

it’s definitely dripping from above the water pipe and then coming down so points away from being the tap.

the sliding window drain holes is the most logical issue but as I’ve taped that up in kind of rules that out.

 

[fraser500]

I had water appear on the floor after the really heavy rain last year.
I taped up my window exactly as you have done and for me its now dryasabone.
I have wondered about the seal between the whole glass window and the body but for me when the weather improves I will be trying to improve on what is basically a c$*p design.

Yes they do seem to have their faults, but I still love it. Good to hear you sorted yours, to do the whole side window I think the whole kitchen/cupboard unit has to come out which means the bed/seats would also need to come out. It’s not a very nice thought.
I’m contemplating just living with it but for over £50k it seems crazy to put up with it.

 

[MartG]

Be careful with the syringe not to push apart the hose!

edit - someone here did get their whole window done without any internals removed...

Have you parked it nose down, taped up the wardrobe window at the rear, incase any leak may travel forward along internal bracing? Unlikely, and also unlikely to be the roof if it's only dripping above grey tank...

 

[fraser500]

Be careful with the syringe not to push apart the hose!

edit - someone here did get their whole window done without any internals removed...

Yes I was careful and mainly sucked to prevent

 

[fraser500]

Yes I was careful and mainly sucked to prevent

...any of the tubes coming apart, very reassuring to know the window can be done without removing the kitchen so huge thanks for that.
The dealer that I purchased it from is being very understanding but really not sure who’s best to investigate it for me.
I’ve spoken to a local conversion company but as they mainly build van we’re not too sure what to do
And as it’s out of manufacturers warranty main dealer will probably charge to investigate the issue which could take them a while and £££’s.

 

[fraser500]

Be careful with the syringe not to push apart the hose!

edit - someone here did get their whole window done without any internals removed...

Have you parked it nose down, taped up the wardrobe window at the rear, incase any leak may travel forward along internal bracing? Unlikely, and also unlikely to be the roof if it's only dripping above grey tank...

Good to know the window can be done without stripping the whole thing.
Yea I’ve taped up the windows on that side all round kind of eliminating them, which lead me onto the roof. But like you say it would mean the water was coming around the window and along the support and then dripping down which seems a little unlikely, but you never know.

Ive not tried parking it on a slope yet so will have a play with that.

thanks for your reply

 

[MartG]

You should have some comeback with a dealer for this... I would ask them to get help from VW or a specialist camper firm though if possible. I'm sure you will be able to sort it yourself, just shouldn't have to...

The suggestion of the slope was not for testing but maybe a cause of the leak 'travelling'.

 

[ArunAlec]

Good to know the window can be done without stripping the whole thing.
Yea I’ve taped up the windows on that side all round kind of eliminating them, which lead me onto the roof. But like you say it would mean the water was coming around the window and along the support and then dripping down which seems a little unlikely, but you never know.

Ive not tried parking it on a slope yet so will have a play with that.

thanks for your reply

If you do need the complete window replacement SMG Cowfold did mine without kitchen removal. Actually they get a window fitter in.

 

[fraser500]

You should have some comeback with a dealer for this... I would ask them to get help from VW or a specialist camper firm though if possible. I'm sure you will be able to sort it yourself, just shouldn't have to...

The suggestion of the slope was not for testing but maybe a cause of the leak 'travelling'.

Yes the dealer is onboard with doing his duty as it were. I took out a 3 year warranty too. I did see a camper conversion chap locally but I think he was put off as it’s a Cali not a conversion.

As it’s been Christmas I didn’t have time to get it booked in at VW but I’ve now run out of ideas I feel it needs to go into VW van centre.

see what you meant about the slope now thanks

 

[fraser500]

If you do need the complete window replacement SMG Cowfold did mine without kitchen removal. Actually they get a window fitter in.

Thanks for letting me know, if only one thing it’s a big relief to know the window can be done without kitchen removal. Although I’ve taped all the windows up now but water is a tricky sin if a gun.

 

[MartG]

Just as an experiment, could you squirt some water onto the drainage channel inside, below the sliding window, to check that the water doesn't drip inside, both front & rear of channel? I'm convinced that must be the area!