Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

[west hythe]

I had leaking 04S bellow replaced last week with 06S haven't tested yet. Fingers crossed.

 

[Cali Hobbs]

Does anyone still have 03s? Mine leaked when I first got the the van but it was in a heavy storm. Iv covered the bellows ever since but I’m book into listers Coventry on Friday because I have a DSG fault and Iv asked them to water test the bellows as well.
Iv just sprayed them for 20mins fine mist and surprisingly they have performed ok just some small droplets.

 

[OceanView2023]

Does anyone still have 03s? Mine leaked when I first got the the van but it was in a heavy storm. Iv covered the bellows ever since but I’m book into listers Coventry on Friday because I have a DSG fault and Iv asked them to water test the bellows as well.
Iv just sprayed them for 20mins fine mist and surprisingly they have performed ok just some small droplets.

I had my 03S replaced for 06S in Jan 2025

 

[The Little Red Cali]

Does anyone still have 03s? Mine leaked when I first got the the van but it was in a heavy storm. Iv covered the bellows ever since but I’m book into listers Coventry on Friday because I have a DSG fault and Iv asked them to water test the bellows as well.
Iv just sprayed them for 20mins fine mist and surprisingly they have performed ok just some small droplets.

I have 03s and they’ve never leaked. Been in some horrible weather as well. Have bought some Fabsil but not applied yet. Had many tents and awnings over the years and I’ve always treated them yearly anyway so have no problem in doing the same with the bellows when the time comes.

 

[Ged1625]

Breeze in Poole provided me with external Bellow side covers when I asked about my leaking 6S bellows free of charge. I believe that they have a limited number available. Not great customer service from VW HQ however, Breeze Poole have been great with all of the little issues I have had.

 

[Paul1]

Does anyone still have 03s? Mine leaked when I first got the the van but it was in a heavy storm. Iv covered the bellows ever since but I’m book into listers Coventry on Friday because I have a DSG fault and Iv asked them to water test the bellows as well.
Iv just sprayed them for 20mins fine mist and surprisingly they have performed ok just some small droplets.

I have O3S . First test leaked a bit after twenty minutes. Week later same test, no leaks. As a precaution sprayed with Aqua Tex. Was booked in for replacement for O4S but changed my mind because of the 5 yr warranty thought I’d wait to see the final fix. Decided to keep my O3S ( have a topper) after reading a few horror stories of fitting damage and relying on the - if it ain’t broke don’t fix it I’m keeping it.

 

[GreenMissile]

I find it difficult to understand how VW can get away with now stating that they are no longer going to replace the leaking bellows. Do not get me wrong I understand from a financial and model progression perspective why they are looking to go down that route, but from a moral point of view where they have replaced 03, 04, 05 bellows because they know they leak and are not fit for purpose to turn round now and adopt a completely different strategy is staggering!

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

I find it difficult to understand how VW can get away with now stating that they are no longer going to replace the leaking bellows. Do not get me wrong I understand from a financial and model progression perspective why they are looking to go down that route, but from a moral point of view where they have replaced 03, 04, 05 bellows because they know they leak and are not fit for purpose to turn round now and adopt a completely different strategy is staggering!

From a Customer service standpoint abysmal. Typical attitude of Dieselgate. I certainly will never buy another VW.

Our multi-replaced 03S bellows are extremely watertight. If they start leaking and VW refuse to replace under warranty I will obtain lots of pictures and videos, pay for 06S bellows myself (cost is about £1k fitted) and see them in court.

I suspect they will pay up the day before the hearing!!

 

[Blink982]

I’ve had 03S bellows since picking up my van over a year ago (73 plate) and thought I was fortunate as I’ve never had an issue. I did install a Thais pop top liner which I believe is similar to Isotop.

The rain in west Scotland last night was relentless and alas, the pop top leaked like a sieve so it looks like I will be seeking a solution. The leak has soaked the mattress and bedding so I’ve called the end to the trip and headed home.

It’s disappointing that VW UK have taken this stance. I haven’t contacted my local VW commercial centre yet. Before I do, does Aquatex solve the issue and have the latest 06S bellows proved to be the answer?

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

I’ve had 03S bellows since picking up my van over a year ago (73 plate) and thought I was fortunate as I’ve never had an issue. I did install a Thais pop top liner which I believe is similar to Isotop.

The rain in west Scotland last night was relentless and alas, the pop top leaked like a sieve so it looks like I will be seeking a solution. The leak has soaked the mattress and bedding so I’ve called the end to the trip and headed home.

It’s disappointing that VW UK have taken this stance. I haven’t contacted my local VW commercial centre yet. Before I do, does Aquatex solve the issue and have the latest 06S bellows proved to be the answer?

No way would I be trying to fix that with Aquatex. From what you described sounds like my original 03S. I still haven't worked out how the third replacement 03S is watertight. Rumour the dealer treated them to avoid rejection but who knows, maybe I just got lucky.

Straight forward warranty job. If not, pay yourself and take VW to court. Take plenty of photos and videos.

The modifications incorporated into 06S and about a dozen iterations in between seem to have nailed the problem.

 

[Jw155]

I had my leaking bellows on 73 plate van replaced for 06 last October in Cornwall this weekend rained all night ,and leaked in same place as original ones.just ordered 2 cans of aqua tex see if that works,can’t be bothered with the hassle again.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Still on original 03s but they have never leaked, but were never fully tested before I applied Aquatex. Since no leaks under hose test or prolonged windy rain. They could obviously still leak but I keep an eye on the weather apps and if stormy weather is due I will put a pop top cover on. TBH I would rather keep these than trust VW to do a replacement unless I really have too.

 

[mease.]

I had my leaking 04S bellows replaced with 06S in November, and was disappointed to discover the new 06S leak while away in Cornwall over the past couple of weeks - their first proper test. Also disappointed to read here the new VW stance; i called Breeze last week to report this issue and am waiting for a call back, so haven't yet heard this first hand.

While i was faced with leaks to my 06S bellows there was a 2019 t6 cali on the same site, parked in the same direction, with their roof up, in the same conditions, and they had no issues whatsoever... i struggle to understand how VW could say this isn't a manufacturing defect and no longer covered by warranty; to my mind they replaced one faulty part with a clearly still faulty part - how can they say one was coverable and the other isn't!? I eagerly await their return call...

 

[mapo72]

Here’s a photo of my bellows when they were leaking on the inside. This was in light to moderate rain. The fabric really absorbs water at the front but at the sides it’s largely sheltered in low wind conditions. You can see this in the photo where the wet material is darker. I wonder if the fabric itself is not wicking the water properly and around the area of that dodgy seam it’s seeping through. When I put the roof down the canvas material felt quite heavy, certainly a lot heavier than when it’s dry. It seems to soak up water a bit like a towel. Does the old fabric soak up water in this way when wet? It looks a shinier material. If the older fabric doesn’t soak up the water in the first place the seam may be irrelevant as the water may never reach it in sufficient quantities.

View attachment 112016

It's the same thing that happens to me. The tent soaks and then starts to filter water. One night I had to lower the roof because water was dripping onto the seats. And the dealer says it's normal.

 

[mapo72]

I had my leaking 04S bellows replaced with 06S in November, and was disappointed to discover the new 06S leak while away in Cornwall over the past couple of weeks - their first proper test. Also disappointed to read here the new VW stance; i called Breeze last week to report this issue and am waiting for a call back, so haven't yet heard this first hand.

While i was faced with leaks to my 06S bellows there was a 2019 t6 cali on the same site, parked in the same direction, with their roof up, in the same conditions, and they had no issues whatsoever... i struggle to understand how VW could say this isn't a manufacturing defect and no longer covered by warranty; to my mind they replaced one faulty part with a clearly still faulty part - how can they say one was coverable and the other isn't!? I eagerly await their return call...

It's already the second one they are replacing for me. But they don't want to change this one because they say it's the new modified model and it's normal for a little water to come in ........normal a ......

 

[mapo72]

It's already the second one they are replacing for me. But they don't want to change this one because they say it's the new modified model and it's normal for a little water to come in ........normal a ......

 

[mapo72]

La scorsa settimana ho sostituito il soffietto 04S che perde con 06S e non l'ho ancora testato. Incrociamo le dita.

l mio è identico al vecchio io

 

[Corradobrit]

Aquatex applied to known leaking seams. Hope to test during my trip to Italy, France and Holland next month. I can confirm there is no sticky residue left after application and recommended 90 mins drying time.

 

[Cali Hobbs]

I’m having new bellows fitted tomorrow replacing my 03s bellows. Iv been holding off for 2 years hoping it will get sorted.
I can’t imagine we will get a 07s so iv decided now’s the time.