Leak - help

[Jolberg]

Hi all.
We discovered this leak today on our 2018 Ocean. Left hand side of tailgate. Never had the issue before. We do have a solar panel fitted but that’s been fitted for a few years already.
It is still under the All in warranty.
Any help on where this could be coming from would be really appreciated.
Sorry for the rubbish photos. Couldn’t find a way to add a video.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Two possibilities, occur, though many have more expertise here than I do.

If it specifically occurred when it was raining (or you were car washing) the rear door seal perhaps needs adjustment, there are several posts about that. If, alternatively/strangely, it occurred in a dry scenario, do you have a OEM shower, or did you drain your clean water tank?

 

[Meoncoast]

In the past there has been issues with water ingress via the high break light lens cover.

 

[WelshGas]

From your photos the leak seems to be within the tailgate as it’s leaking out via the chair bag.
There are 4 points of entry .
1. Windscreen wiper seal.
2. Tailgate glass seal.
3. Rear windscreen washer, the pipe passes into and through the tailgate.
4. High level brake light, that has been problematic on the T5.

 

[Jolberg]

Thanks for your answers. A bit of investigation needed.

 

[cpaharley2008]

That looks like it could be the high level brake light - that's a known weak spot on these vans. Since you're still under warranty I'd get VW to check it out properly rather than trying to fix it yourself.

 

[Jolberg]

That looks like it could be the high level brake light - that's a known weak spot on these vans. Since you're still under warranty I'd get VW to check it out properly rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Thanks very much. Will do that.

 

[nomadicjonboy77]

Another possibility.....do you have shower outlet at the back near there?

If so check the connection sleeve on shower socket has clicked shut properly. I had a leak here and turned out because it had not clicked shut properly, so every time I ran tap the pump was squirting water our if the shower socket!

Run the tap and see if water squirts out then fiddle u til.it clicks shut. I later got mine replaced under 3 year warranty.

 

[Jolberg]

No shower.
It’s odd though. When we noticed it it was leaking a lot. Today it was pouring down for hours and not a drop in sight!

 

[Tim C Atkinson]

@Jolberg looks like I have the same water ingress issue as you. When I opened the tailgate yesterday and today, both after heavy rain, I have water coming out at quite a rate through the chair cover, see linked video.

The water does not appear to be going into the actual van though, just getting into the tailgate unit. I'm yet to establish where it is actually getting into the unit.

I also have an All In Warranty, and called my local VW dealer today about having the issue looked at. The dealer however told me that water ingress is not covered under the warranty and they would charge £350 for the initial investigation. I checked the warranty and it's not covered:

What’s not covered?
• Routine servicing (all parts replaced associated with routine servicing are excluded)
• All bodywork, paintwork, body components (Including encased aerials, gas struts, sunroof assemblies, soft top roofs, and seat frames), glass (including heated), seals (including but not limited to water ingress), wardrobes, cupboards and curtain rails

 

[Tim C Atkinson]

I'm actually wondering if it is rain water getting in? Many years ago I had a Golf Mk4 that kept having water appear in the boot. It turned out to be the rear windscreen washer hose had come disconnected and was filling the boot each time I used the rear windscreen wash.

Anyone had this symptom with their T6?

 

[Perfectos]

On a practical level , Remove the oval rubber bung at the bottom of the tailgate to assist the water draining straight out, until you get the issue resolved.
Removing the bung will prevent the water coming through the chair bag area when the tailgate is lifted (I.e. it will already drain out the bottom )

T5 & T6 had an issue with high level brake light letting in water - Tape over the whole brake light to seal the area completely, then see if the water problem goes away.

Washer pipe : Does water come out of the washer jet on the rear ?

If water is Not coming from the washer jet , there is the problem.

if you use screen wash in the bottle , you'll be able to smell it.

 

[Jolberg]

@Jolberg looks like I have the same water ingress issue as you. When I opened the tailgate yesterday and today, both after heavy rain, I have water coming out at quite a rate through the chair cover, see linked video.

The water does not appear to be going into the actual van though, just getting into the tailgate unit. I'm yet to establish where it is actually getting into the unit.

I also have an All In Warranty, and called my local VW dealer today about having the issue looked at. The dealer however told me that water ingress is not covered under the warranty and they would charge £350 for the initial investigation. I checked the warranty and it's not covered:

What’s not covered?
• Routine servicing (all parts replaced associated with routine servicing are excluded)
• All bodywork, paintwork, body components (Including encased aerials, gas struts, sunroof assemblies, soft top roofs, and seat frames), glass (including heated), seals (including but not limited to water ingress), wardrobes, cupboards and curtain rails

Hmmm. That’s a blow it not being covered. Ours went in this morning and they didn’t mention they. £350 for initial investigation. Wow.

 

[Jolberg]

Thanks for additional replies. Will double check and try the tape when we get ours back, assuming they haven’t fixed it and want £500 for next to nothing!

 

[Tim C Atkinson]

@Jo

On a practical level , Remove the oval rubber bung at the bottom of the tailgate to assist the water draining straight out, until you get the issue resolved.
Removing the bung will prevent the water coming through the chair bag area when the tailgate is lifted (I.e. it will already drain out the bottom )

T5 & T6 had an issue with high level brake light letting in water - Tape over the whole brake light to seal the area completely, then see if the water problem goes away.

Washer pipe : Does water come out of the washer jet on the rear ?

If water is Not coming from the washer jet , there is the problem.

if you use screen wash in the bottle , you'll be able to smell it.

Thanks. Will try what you recommend.

 

[Tim C Atkinson]

Thanks for additional replies. Will double check and try the tape when we get ours back, assuming they haven’t fixed it and want £500 for next to nothing!

Is your All in Warranty the extended warranty, or are you still on the factory supplied warranty? Let me what the diagnosis is and hopefully they wont charge you for the fix. Which dealer are you using?

 

[Tim C Atkinson]

On a practical level , Remove the oval rubber bung at the bottom of the tailgate to assist the water draining straight out, until you get the issue resolved.
Removing the bung will prevent the water coming through the chair bag area when the tailgate is lifted (I.e. it will already drain out the bottom )

T5 & T6 had an issue with high level brake light letting in water - Tape over the whole brake light to seal the area completely, then see if the water problem goes away.

Washer pipe : Does water come out of the washer jet on the rear ?

If water is Not coming from the washer jet , there is the problem.

if you use screen wash in the bottle , you'll be able to smell it.

I actually see that, in addition to the larger oval rubber bung, there a 4 small bungs, around 10mm wide, along the very bottom of the seem of the tailgate. I've just removed all 4 of these bungs and a load more water drained out. Hopefully this will stop any water that gets in staying in situ while I, hopefully, discover where the water in getting in.

 

[Perfectos]

I actually see that, in addition to the larger oval rubber bung, there a 4 small bungs, around 10mm wide, along the very bottom of the seem of the tailgate. I've just removed all 4 of these bungs and a load more water drained out. Hopefully this will stop any water that gets in staying in situ while I, hopefully, discover where the water in getting in.

Perfect , the smaller ones are at the lowest point where water could collect and will allow the water to flow freely out of the tailgate.

The chair bag is at risk of going mouldy due to the damp , try to air it and dry it asap. A dehumidifier placed in the van may help , but worst ways, open the tailgate, empty the chair holder and leave it unzipped, to allow it to dry out fully

 

[Tim C Atkinson]

Thanks for additional replies. Will double check and try the tape when we get ours back, assuming they haven’t fixed it and want £500 for next to nothing!

Hi Jolberg. How did you get on with your dealer looking into your leaky tailgate? Did they find the cause?

 

[Jolberg]

Is your All in Warranty the extended warranty, or are you still on the factory supplied warranty? Let me what the diagnosis is and hopefully they wont charge you for the fix. Which dealer are you using?

All in. So not sure they’re going to deal although haven’t finally said that yet. They think it’s rear light. I’m not 100% sure as 1) we don’t get it all the time when it’s raining (and it’s rained a lot recently without leaking, 2) We’ve had it recently it when it hasn’t been raining and 3) the leak it only ever coming from the left hand side of the tailgate. Never on the right. Although we have water coming from our rear wash, I’m wondering if it’s related to this as this is routed to the left. Any views on further ways to diagnose. Is it easy to pop the trims off to have a look?

 

[Blanco]

How to remove lower rear lid (tailgate) panel

 

[Blanco]

Upper trim, if you have to get behind

 

[Wannabecamperman]

@Jolberg looks like I have the same water ingress issue as you. When I opened the tailgate yesterday and today, both after heavy rain, I have water coming out at quite a rate through the chair cover, see linked video.

The water does not appear to be going into the actual van though, just getting into the tailgate unit. I'm yet to establish where it is actually getting into the unit.

I also have an All In Warranty, and called my local VW dealer today about having the issue looked at. The dealer however told me that water ingress is not covered under the warranty and they would charge £350 for the initial investigation. I checked the warranty and it's not covered:

What’s not covered?
• Routine servicing (all parts replaced associated with routine servicing are excluded)
• All bodywork, paintwork, body components (Including encased aerials, gas struts, sunroof assemblies, soft top roofs, and seat frames), glass (including heated), seals (including but not limited to water ingress), wardrobes, cupboards and curtain rails

So Not actually 'ALL in' is it?

 

[Jolberg]

Thanks very much for these.

So Not actually 'ALL in' is it?

It seems not. I was aware that camping equipment was not covered for ‘All in’ but basic water tightness feels like it should be.

 

[Jolberg]

Is your All in Warranty the extended warranty, or are you still on the factory supplied warranty? Let me what the diagnosis is and hopefully they wont charge you for the fix. Which dealer are you using?

VW Van center Manchester. We have the van back as we needed it over Xmas. No fix yet. I’m gonna chuck in a load of screen wash and see if I smell it.