Discussion regarding T6 ONLY roof corrosion

[DM]

New seal fitted on the roof today and notice 2 small bubbles on the front edge, nothing to worry about the dealer said... just keep an eye on it.... oh yes i certainly will!

PS. Why did you need a new seal?

 

[snowy55]

New seal fitted on the roof today and notice 2 small bubbles on the front edge, nothing to worry about the dealer said... just keep an eye on it.... oh yes i certainly will!

Why did you have a new seal fitted?

 

[snowy55]

New seal fitted on the roof today and notice 2 small bubbles on the front edge, nothing to worry about the dealer said... just keep an eye on it.... oh yes i certainly will!

If the bubbling paint was in the middle of the bonnet would you have accepted the advice "just keep an eye on it"
No you wouldn't, you would be thumping on the desk and demanding an immediate respray.
Why accept anything different because it's the roof?
Go back, get the roof photographed and get the claim process started.
With any luck you might get it repaired by the end of the decade!!

 

[Annik]

If the bubbling paint was in the middle of the bonnet would you have accepted the advice "just keep an eye on it"
No you wouldn't, you would be thumping on the desk and demanding an immediate respray.
Why accept anything different because it's the roof?
Go back, get the roof photographed and get the claim process started.
With any luck you might get it repaired by the end of the decade!!

Agreed, i would not accept it on a £6k Kia let alone a £60k Cali, I am stunned at the amount of people just happy to live with this in the hope that others will fight the cause.

 

[woody438]

The seal was changed because it was not sitting flat, i had the details on another thread.

Anyway new one fitted, it's better but not perfect although they have said it will bed in because they come rolled up in a box... We shall see.

The paint blemishes, I'll get a photo off and post, but today was the start of a long summer trip and i wasn't going to let that spoil the summer. The warranty will still exist when I'm back so will take a long after the summer and they can fix it in the winter.

Oh, and did i mention they scratched the door whilst they had it! Anyway, they are fixing that too when I'm back

People have said to me you will have great adventures in a California... They weren't wrong!

 

[WelshGas]

Agreed, i would not accept it on a £6k Kia let alone a £60k Cali, I am stunned at the amount of people just happy to live with this in the hope that others will fight the cause.

But I think that is a totally unfair comment. The California comes with a 3 year warranty. This problem is cosmetic rather than destructive. VW can repair it and , according to some who have T5s with this problem, less than perfectly. So, check early, less than perfect repair or recurrence, battle with VWCS and the body shop.
OR, wait until the 3 year warranty is almost up and then check and get it logged on the system. In the meantime enjoy.
It may seem selfish to you but in reality it is just being practical and pragmatic about this problem.
After all. The roof on the T6 is exactly the same as the T5 and has exactly the same problem on the Elevating Section. If VW haven't accepted there is a problem on the T5 and instituted a proper fix, as they apparently have on the T5 Front Roof section, then the same will happen on the T6.
I haven't looked on mine yet, 2014 model, and won't until it has its MOT and service before the warranty is up. If I have the problem then I might have it sorted by a body shop that specialises in Aluminium bodywork rather than a body shop that deals with the main manufacturers at the lowest price/repair.

In the meantime I enjoy this amazingly versatile vehicle.

 

[T6Beach]

But I think that is a totally unfair comment. The California comes with a 3 year warranty. This problem is cosmetic rather than destructive. VW can repair it and , according to some who have T5s with this problem, less than perfectly. So, check early, less than perfect repair or recurrence, battle with VWCS and the body shop.
OR, wait until the 3 year warranty is almost up and then check and get it logged on the system. In the meantime enjoy.
It may seem selfish to you but in reality it is just being practical and pragmatic about this problem.
After all. The roof on the T6 is exactly the same as the T5 and has exactly the same problem on the Elevating Section. If VW haven't accepted there is a problem on the T5 and instituted a proper fix, as they apparently have on the T5 Front Roof section, then the same will happen on the T6.
I haven't looked on mine yet, 2014 model, and won't until it has its MOT and service before the warranty is up. If I have the problem then I might have it sorted by a body shop that specialises in Aluminium bodywork rather than a body shop that deals with the main manufacturers at the lowest price/repair.

In the meantime I enjoy this amazingly versatile vehicle.

If all T6 owners had this point of view we would not know about the problem for another 3 years, at least the ones who have checked early have got things moving with VW because as far as they are concerned the T6 does not have corrosion! The more of us that check and report the problem will get VW to listen and find a solution. As we know the original repair is failing already so we need to pressure them into finding a fix.

Yes it is only cosmetic but I saved for ages for my Cali and this is so disappointing.

 

[WelshGas]

If all T6 owners had this point of view we would not know about the problem for another 3 years, at least the ones who have checked early have got things moving with VW because as far as they are concerned the T6 does not have corrosion! The more of us that check and report the problem will get VW to listen and find a solution. As we know the original repair is failing already so we need to pressure them into finding a fix.

Yes it is only cosmetic but I saved for ages for my Cali and this is so disappointing.

Unfortunately That's life. VW haven't accepted that there is a problem on the Elevating Roof section on the T5 so join the club.
The Front section on the T5 did have a manufacturing change instituted for MY 2015 which was carried over to the T6 , but the Elevating section has remained unchanged and so the problem has remained. The problem is until that is identified as problematic by VW nothing will alter.

It is quit obvious, in my opinion, that VW are equating " Roof Corrosion " with the manufacturing defect on the FRONT Roof Panel which was ? Fixed on the T5 and hence not a problem on the T6.

Until they accept there is a vehicle wide problem on the ELEVATING Roof Panel on the T5, of which there are a lot more vehicles on the road, then the T6 just doesn't figure on their radar.

No one, to my knowledge, has yet been able to substantiate that the ELEVATING Roof problem is as widespread as the FRONT Panel problem was, so it could be individual vehicles being affected rather than ALL vehicles as it was with the FRONT Panel.

Time will tell, and in the meantime I won't be losing any sleep over it.

 

[iamchucky]

We unfortunately have the small bubbles under the seal on the elevating roof aswell. Ours is a March 2016 T6 Ocean

I will write to VW to find out our position concerning warranty periods. At present I tend to agree with Welsh Gas on waiting until the warranty has nearly expired and then claiming as I don't think the current fix addresses the issue but just makes it look better (until it reappears again!).

I'd obviously prefer (as we all would) that VW admit there is a problem and then fix it - after all it's not a cheap vehicle.

However we'll continue to enjoy this amazing vehicle. We've had 10 mini adventures over the last year and as everyone says... 'wish we'd purchased one years ago!'

 

[Jabberwocky]

We unfortunately have the small bubbles under the seal on the elevating roof aswell. Ours is a March 2016 T6 Ocean

I will write to VW to find out our position concerning warranty periods. At present I tend to agree with Welsh Gas on waiting until the warranty has nearly expired and then claiming as I don't think the current fix addresses the issue but just makes it look better (until it reappears again!).

I'd obviously prefer (as we all would) that VW admit there is a problem and then fix it - after all it's not a cheap vehicle.

However we'll continue to enjoy this amazing vehicle. We've had 10 mini adventures over the last year and as everyone says... 'wish we'd purchased one years ago!'

Be cautious and consider......Please read the warranty carefully. The second bullet point brought me up short when I read it. My interpretation of this is that if you "detect" a fault and report it later rather than sooner you may not be covered under the paintwork warranty.

It says: (Their web site)
"Paintwork protection
Your vehicle warranty covers any manufacturing defect in paintwork, starting from the date of registration, for a total of three years.

Paintwork defects can be fixed free of charge under warranty if:

• You report the defect to a Volkswagen Van Centre within your warranty period.
• You tell a Volkswagen Van Centre about the defect as soon as you detect it to ensure there is no further deterioration.
• The defect was not caused by external influences such as accident damage, industrial fallout or pollution or insufficient care or maintenance."

 

[DM]

An update. Parkway Leicester has inspected / photographed my T6 today. It is the first T6 they have been made aware of but they are still dealing with 'many' T5s. The opinion of the bodyshop manager was that this is exactly the same as the remaining raising roof issue on T5s. They are booking it with VW. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Meoncoast]

he second bullet point brought me up short when I read it. My interpretation of this is that if you "detect" a fault and report it later rather than sooner you may not be covered under the paintwork warranty.

And why I am not looking until about to have it's 3rd Birthday and then report it if found. If VW decided they want to look before then as part of service or recall then I am happy to let them look at any time.

 

[Jabberwocky]

And why I am not looking until about to have it's 3rd Birthday

I'm with you.

 

[WelshGas]

Be cautious and consider......Please read the warranty carefully. The second bullet point brought me up short when I read it. My interpretation of this is that if you "detect" a fault and report it later rather than sooner you may not be covered under the paintwork warranty.

It says: (Their web site)
"Paintwork protection
Your vehicle warranty covers any manufacturing defect in paintwork, starting from the date of registration, for a total of three years.

Paintwork defects can be fixed free of charge under warranty if:

• You report the defect to a Volkswagen Van Centre within your warranty period.
• You tell a Volkswagen Van Centre about the defect as soon as you detect it to ensure there is no further deterioration.
• The defect was not caused by external influences such as accident damage, industrial fallout or pollution or insufficient care or maintenance."

VW are supposed to undertake a Corrosion Check as part of the Service. I have had 2 Services and No Mention of any roof problems.
Removing the Roof Seal is NOT on the Drivers/Owners Maintenance Check List, like Tyre pressures or Oil and other fluid levels and so I have not checked personally.
So, on my 3rd Annual service I willl request to be present for the Corrosion Check, especially the Roof.

Doing it this way, points 1 & 2 are immaterial.

 

[calimera]

We are due our interim 12 mths service(part of 4 year service plan) on our T6 Cali . Our local VW Snows Plymouth say they have been told not to remove the roof seal round the lifting roof because it's stuck down. Advised if we removed it we could cause damage .
We are inclined to wait & have a look once VW finally find a solution .......

 

[leightonjthomas]

We are due our interim 12 mths service(part of 4 year service plan) on our T6 Cali . Our local VW Snows Plymouth say they have been told not to remove the roof seal round the lifting roof because it's stuck down. Advised if we removed it we could cause damage .
We are inclined to wait & have a look once VW finally find a solution .......

That's a novel strategy (delaying tactic?) by VW! They don't look as if they're meant to be stuck down- has anyone found one that is stuck down as opposed to a bit sticky with all the muck that gets underneath?

 

[DM]

That's a novel strategy (delaying tactic?) by VW! They don't look as if they're meant to be stuck down- has anyone found one that is stuck down as opposed to a bit sticky with all the muck that gets underneath?

It is not stuck down. Parkway had no concerns removing mine today to inspect.

 

[WelshGas]

We are due our interim 12 mths service(part of 4 year service plan) on our T6 Cali . Our local VW Snows Plymouth say they have been told not to remove the roof seal round the lifting roof because it's stuck down. Advised if we removed it we could cause damage .
We are inclined to wait & have a look once VW finally find a solution .......

Ask them for that advice in writing so that you have a copy to present in Court when the inevitable happens as they will be unable to carry out the detailed Corrosion Check as they are supposed to do in line with the Service Schedule. Bet they change their tune.

 

[DM]

Ask them for that advice in writing so that you have a copy to present in Court when the inevitable happens as they will be unable to carry out the detailed Corrosion Check as they are supposed to do in line with the Service Schedule. Bet they change their tune.

I wonder what the 'detailed corrosion check' covers. Clearly they can only do a visual inspection of accessible areas. Hypothetically - if the seal is not removable then they cannot inspect under it - therefore the corrosion does not exist until it is so great it 'escapes' the seal. Maybe after the warranty has expired.

Discus .........................

But as my earlier post, Parkway had no concerns about removing mine today.

 

[DM]

There are clearly two schools of thought - one that says don't bother about it until the warranty is about to expire and another that prefers to know about and deal with the issue. That's fine. But let's try and use the thread to record and discuss resolution rather than risk it sinking into sniping between the two camps.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I wonder what the 'detailed corrosion check' covers.

In the service booklet it says the following (picked out from amongst other detail points):
"Scope of Service.......
Inspection Work

• .......
• .......
• Bodywork
  • Roof Systems: check
  • ..
  • Corrosion on Body: check
  • ..
  • ..
  • ..
  • ..
  • Water Drains: check

 

[Victor]

Agreed, it is not stuck down, a bit sticky.. yes but not stuck down, any dealership that says this is either trying to pull the wool or does not have a clue.

 

[Bramco]

But as my earlier post, Parkway had no concerns about removing mine today.

Interesting, on my last service I asked Parkway Leicester to check the roof for corrosion. On picking up the van I was told there were no procedures for checking the roof for corrosion so they hadn't done it. Another way of putting owners off, like the mythical glue sticking the seal on.

We're of the - let's just enjoy the van and get it checked just before the warranty is about to expire camp. So in November I'll be back there but this time with a pair of step ladders and I'll make sure they carry out their non existent procedure and do a proper check.

I wonder how many others have asked for a dealer to check and they've just ignored the request? At least they told me they hadn't done it.

PS Ours is a T5 but the comments are still relevant here.

 

[Bramco]

If I have the problem then I might have it sorted by a body shop that specialises in Aluminium bodywork rather than a body shop that deals with the main manufacturers at the lowest price/repair.

Agree Welsh Gas.

I'd also fit a 3rd party seal if there was one available - especially if it had plastic rather than steel reinforcement. In fact if there was such a thing I'd fit it today.

Anyone out there with any knowledge about automotive seals? Could be a nice little earner.

 

[DM]

Agree Welsh Gas.

I'd also fit a 3rd party seal if there was one available - especially if it had plastic rather than steel reinforcement. In fact if there was such a thing I'd fit it today.

Anyone out there with any knowledge about automotive seals? Could be a nice little earner.

According to Parkway one of the criteria is that repairers must have specialist extraction equipment for working with aluminium.