2023 Ocean leaking roof fabric

[Jeaniethecali]

So I put the roof up today whilst it was raining, in order to get a video of the leak to back up my claim as others have done. After just 30 minutes of relatively light rain, the seam started to leak. However, whilst looking at the outside of the bellows, I noticed that there was a small patch of fabric near the front half moon zip that had darkened with wet whilst on the rest of the fabric the water was clearly beading on the surface.
has anyone else noticed anything like this?
I’m wondering if this is where water is managing to get between the fabrics.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

So I put the roof up today whilst it was raining, in order to get a video of the leak to back up my claim as others have done. After just 30 minutes of relatively light rain, the seam started to leak. However, whilst looking at the outside of the bellows, I noticed that there was a small patch of fabric near the front half moon zip that had darkened with wet whilst on the rest of the fabric the water was clearly beading on the surface.
has anyone else noticed anything like this?
I’m wondering if this is where water is managing to get between the fabrics. View attachment 113013

I’ve noticed that but the whole front of mine went dark. On the inside the canvas felt colder to touch there and had a slightly clammy feel to it like it was wet on the other side. The bottom of my canvas is full of pin prick holes. The bottom is where water was getting through.

 

[Jeaniethecali]

I’ve noticed that but the whole front of mine went dark. On the inside the canvas felt colder to touch there and had a slightly clammy feel to it.

View attachment 113014

Oh yes I can see. Maybe mine would do that given enough rain. It only rained for 30 minutes or so and then stopped.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

So I put the roof up today whilst it was raining, in order to get a video of the leak to back up my claim as others have done. After just 30 minutes of relatively light rain, the seam started to leak. However, whilst looking at the outside of the bellows, I noticed that there was a small patch of fabric near the front half moon zip that had darkened with wet whilst on the rest of the fabric the water was clearly beading on the surface.
has anyone else noticed anything like this?
I’m wondering if this is where water is managing to get between the fabrics. View attachment 113013

Okay. Look at your picture 3 the lower seam. See all the tiny bright lights, they are pinholes in the fabric large enough to let water drip through.

We have 4 very well defined and all drip incessantly (you have even more!!!). A regular drip doesn't take long to form a pool and then for damage to occur.

Our dealer won't use my videos as a pre approval for the repair so I'm gonna return the van to them to fix. If it isn't fixed in the one go I'll consider rejecting it, which I don't want to do.

For me there is another problem they need to diagnose and take care of so I can't really push the leaking pop top without them having the van.

There's some earlier posts with what I consider some very good advice about going the extra mile to return it to the selling dealer.

Good luck.

 

[Joncali2023!!]

Hi,
can you please specify which part is disscontinued?
Not the new one 7LA875059C7MH updated double skin canvas?
Thankx

This new one with the C serial still leaks

 

[sagy]

I’ve noticed that but the whole front of mine went dark. On the inside the canvas felt colder to touch there and had a slightly clammy feel to it like it was wet on the other side. The bottom of my canvas is full of pin prick holes. The bottom is where water was getting through.

View attachment 113014

View attachment 113015

View attachment 113016

I'm not sure those holes are the reason for the leaks. I have similar holes on my canvas (previous model, build date may 2022) and haven't noticed any leakage yet.. even when camping in heavy rain.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

I'm not sure those holes are the reason for the leaks. I have similar holes on my canvas (previous model, build date may 2022) and haven't noticed any leakage yet.. even when camping in heavy rain.

They may or may not be, I’ve no idea. The outer canvas material retains a significant amount of water though when wet, that much was obvious on mine. How it gets through I’ve no idea, but the majority of the leaking was at the bottom where those pin prick holes are.

 

[I feel camping]

This new one with the C serial still leaks

So what is the alternative? What do VW dealers do when you have leaking C serial canvas?
I am asking because I have replacement planned in next month.

 

[ArunAlec]

So what is the alternative? What do VW dealers do when you have leaking C serial canvas?
I am asking because I have replacement planned in next month.

I would think it depends on how good your dealer is and how aware of the issue they are. I imagine the normal process would be that they just replace with whatever VW supply, which is likely to be another “c”. Assuming it’s still under warranty then the dealer gets paid whether the “new” roof leaks or not, in fact the more times they replace the same roof the more money they get!
Unless VW tell dealerships not to replace any roofs pending their solving the leaking fabric.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Is there evidence replacement canvasses leak too? I thought most people had the leaking issues resolved after having a new one fitted. Is there more than one new version?

 

[Corradobrit]

Is there evidence replacement canvasses leak too? I thought most people had the leaking issues resolved after having a new one fitted. Is there more than one new version?

Several in Germany have had the replacement bellows leak.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Several in Germany have had the replacement bellows leak.

Do you know how many have had replacement bellows fix the problem?

 

[Joncali2023!!]

Is there evidence replacement canvasses leak too? I thought most people had the leaking issues resolved after having a new one fitted. Is there more than one new version?

The new C Serial leaks via the zips apparently according to a guy who had his replaced.

 

[Corradobrit]

Do you know how many have had replacement bellows fix the problem?

Don't know absolute numbers but a couple have reported no to minimal infiltration. Taken as a whole its not a very reassuring picture. So many variables in play. Angle of type of rain (some seeing infiltration with rain but not when hosed), influence of wind, strength and angle, horizontal and vertical seam leaks, sometimes only on front panel below the window, sometimes at the bottom where the bellows meets the roof bodywork.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

The new C Serial leaks via the zips apparently according to a guy who had his replaced.

Yes I saw that. But he did point a hose directly at the zips, so I’m not entirely surprised.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Fair enough mate and fingers crossed it works out for you. I had my bellows up for the first time over the weekend but it was dry, I have an 03S tag and can see the same light holes that CaliforniaCylus has on his so I think mine leaking is an inevitability unfortunately. I am in the crowd that have reluctantly bought a bellows wrap and will be watching how you guys in the first wave get on with great interest.

Which bellows wrap did you go for?

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Which bellows wrap did you go for?

Comfortz Cali Wrap from the club shop

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

Comfortz Cali Wrap from the club shop

Did you get the one with air vents, was worried that you might loose some ventilation up there. If so, do they line up with the top vents in the bellows?

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Did you get the one with air vents, was worried that you might loose some ventilation up there. If so, do they line up with the top vents in the bellows?

I did (along with the window at the front) but haven’t got around to fitting it yet. Was hoping to go away again next weekend but my van’s booked in for investigation work due to an engine problem

 

[From tent to van]

I’ve now had the bellows replaced, new part number. Also still had the tag in (pic below). seem to be very similar to the old ones, however I would say that the roof does not pull as tight, so maybe the new bellows are slightly bigger and not stretching the fabric as much? Will report back once tested in the rain.

 

[Kayleigh]

I’ve now had the bellows replaced, new part number. Also still had the tag in (pic below). seem to be very similar to the old ones, however I would say that the roof does not pull as tight, so maybe the new bellows are slightly bigger and not stretching the fabric as much? Will report back once tested in the rain.

View attachment 113074

Is O3S the manufacturing batch number?

 

[Robert&Catherine]

I’ve now had the bellows replaced, new part number. Also still had the tag in (pic below). seem to be very similar to the old ones, however I would say that the roof does not pull as tight, so maybe the new bellows are slightly bigger and not stretching the fabric as much? Will report back once tested in the rain.

View attachment 113074

It does seem that they have changed the dimensions. Was contacted by purcer screens after I ordered mine as they have a small percentage of the new bellows with different dimensions…don’t have my Cali yet so not sure if my screen will fit.

 

[Corradobrit]

I’ve now had the bellows replaced, new part number. Also still had the tag in (pic below). seem to be very similar to the old ones, however I would say that the roof does not pull as tight, so maybe the new bellows are slightly bigger and not stretching the fabric as much? Will report back once tested in the rain.

View attachment 113074

This might support the theory that I and another guy had that the tension forced into the fabric by the hydraulic system is opening up the seams allowing water to infiltrate easier. So far no leak issue with my manual Coast poptop.

 

[Corradobrit]

A saggy Ocean roof could be a godsend

 

[andyinluton]

So far no leak issue with my manual Coast poptop.

Theres a couple of beach owners on Facebook with leaking new style canvas.