Leak with both raised and lowered roof

[Calipilot]

Hi all,

I am aware that there are plenty of threads regarding roof leaks, but somehow i didn't find something related to my problem. Maybe i missed it.

My 2010 california developed a roof leak.

After reading here I realised it must be the drains, so cleaned them.

The next time i was out with the van and knew it would rain, decided to sleep without raising the roof and to my surprise i still had a leak.

All the information i can find seems to point at parts of the roof when its raised, how can i have a roof leak with the roof down? Where else should i be checking?

Any ideas welcome

Thanks

 

[dspuk]

One would imagine the seal around the roof. You don't mention where it leaks. Some treat it with a seal restorer (not sure brand) but it could be the seal needs replacing after 15 years. Doesn't look a terrible job.

 

[Perfectos]

The roof seal is not watertight.
Water getting under the seal flows to the roof drains front and rear .

I assume your leak is from the front ? Most likely scenario is the hidden pipes in the B pillar had become detached

Suggest some more reading there are extensive posts regards to the reasons and fixes, if you can't find an appropriate answer ask a specific question and you'll get some specific responses

 

[Azteccamper]

Quick question - have you had your front roof cap replaced / repaired under the roof corrosion saga?

 

[arend minnema]

Hallo allemaal,

Ik weet dat er genoeg threads zijn over daklekkages, maar op de een of andere manier heb ik niets gevonden dat gerelateerd is aan mijn probleem. Misschien heb ik het gemist.

Mijn California uit 2010 kreeg last van een daklekkage.

Nadat ik dit had gelezen, besefte ik dat het de afvoeren moesten zijn, dus heb ik ze schoongemaakt.

De volgende keer dat ik met de bus op pad was en wist dat het zou gaan regenen, besloot ik te gaan slapen zonder het dak open te doen. Tot mijn verbazing was er nog steeds een lek.

Alle informatie die ik kan vinden lijkt te wijzen op delen van het dak als het omhoog staat. Hoe kan ik een daklekkage hebben als het dak omlaag is? Waar moet ik nog meer kijken?

Alle ideeën zijn welkom

Bedankt

De afvoerbuis aan de voorzijde zijn poreus geworden moeten worden vervangen

 

[kurienp]

Quick question - have you had your front roof cap replaced / repaired under the roof corrosion saga?

This

If your roof is closed and it is leaking, there are three scenarios:
1. A leak from the sides or the rear of the roof - the seals have perished and need replacement
2. Leaking from the front. @Azteccamper 's question is important here. There should be no gap between the front cowl and the roof. The rubber strip in between needs to be correctly aligned. Get this aligned. Ensure that the rubber seal is not broken or the rubber perished.
3. Both the above are not true and still leaks, but from the front ( the van has to be on an forward incline - in which case, the front drains are blocked as the water will flow forwards, pool up front and some of it will leak into the van if the drains are clogged.

 

[Michael hensey]

Hi all,

I am aware that there are plenty of threads regarding roof leaks, but somehow i didn't find something related to my problem. Maybe i missed it.

My 2010 california developed a roof leak.

After reading here I realised it must be the drains, so cleaned them.

The next time i was out with the van and knew it would rain, decided to sleep without raising the roof and to my surprise i still had a leak.

All the information i can find seems to point at parts of the roof when its raised, how can i have a roof leak with the roof down? Where else should i be checking?

Any ideas welcome

Thanks

Hi all,

I am aware that there are plenty of threads regarding roof leaks, but somehow i didn't find something related to my problem. Maybe i missed it.

My 2010 california developed a roof leak.

After reading here I realised it must be the drains, so cleaned them.

The next time i was out with the van and knew it would rain, decided to sleep without raising the roof and to my surprise i still had a leak.

All the information i can find seems to point at parts of the roof when its raised, how can i have a roof leak with the roof down? Where else should i be checking?

Any ideas welcome

Thanks

Hello m8, we had a leak at the front piller where water was getting in just above the drivers door, vw could not find it and were going to take the iner roof lining down to try an locate. We took it back to where we bought it and they located it within 10 seconds. It leaked when up and down. Where your roof at the front joins what looks like a spoiler, raise the roof and tap to see if it sound hollow or push down, you may see it moves where the seal is. If so it needs to be took off and resealed, vw sealer cost £40. If you live near Litchfield Birmingham, we took our back to where we bought it, 280ml round trip but we'll worth it.

 

[Calipilot]

Hi all,

Thanks for your anwers!

Here is a picture of the leak, see if it might help.

It only leaks with A LOT of rain, not with a bit of drizzle.

One would imagine the seal around the roof. You don't mention where it leaks. Some treat it with a seal restorer (not sure brand) but it could be the seal needs replacing after 15 years. Doesn't look a terrible job.

Im am so sorry for that. I see humidity on the passanger side only, between the roof handle and the windshield. A picture is attached. Any more info on that seal restoration?

The roof seal is not watertight.
Water getting under the seal flows to the roof drains front and rear .

I assume your leak is from the front ? Most likely scenario is the hidden pipes in the B pillar had become detached

Suggest some more reading there are extensive posts regards to the reasons and fixes, if you can't find an appropriate answer ask a specific question and you'll get some specific responses

B pillar pipes are attached, as i had my roofliner reypholstired and phisically checked.

Quick question - have you had your front roof cap replaced / repaired under the roof corrosion saga?

I bought it used, so i cannot answer that im affraid.

De afvoerbuis aan de voorzijde zijn poreus geworden moeten worden vervangen

I tried to clean them several times. Any suggestions on how to do it?

This

If your roof is closed and it is leaking, there are three scenarios:
1. A leak from the sides or the rear of the roof - the seals have perished and need replacement
2. Leaking from the front. @Azteccamper 's question is important here. There should be no gap between the front cowl and the roof. The rubber strip in between needs to be correctly aligned. Get this aligned. Ensure that the rubber seal is not broken or the rubber perished.
3. Both the above are not true and still leaks, but from the front ( the van has to be on an forward incline - in which case, the front drains are blocked as the water will flow forwards, pool up front and some of it will leak into the van if the drains are clogged.

When im back home (i work 15/15) i will attach a picture of the roof to see if youre able to identify if they look good or not. Thanks!

Hello m8, we had a leak at the front piller where water was getting in just above the drivers door, vw could not find it and were going to take the iner roof lining down to try an locate. We took it back to where we bought it and they located it within 10 seconds. It leaked when up and down. Where your roof at the front joins what looks like a spoiler, raise the roof and tap to see if it sound hollow or push down, you may see it moves where the seal is. If so it needs to be took off and resealed, vw sealer cost £40. If you live near Litchfield Birmingham, we took our back to where we bought it, 280ml round trip but we'll worth it.

I live in Spain, but i appreciate the info. Will check on that. Thanks!!!

 

[Azteccamper]

When you get a chance take picture of the roof cap from the front doors along the join (cap - pop top) where the rubber seal is.

 

[Perfectos]

Look closely at the rubber bungs in the roof cap where the roof drains are located , water can by pass the rubber seal and get into the roof cap , it would show exactly where your leak is .

It is possible to re seal, there are threads where others have done so.

As mentioned above check the roof cap is sealed and there are no gaps.

 

[Calipilot]

Look closely at the rubber bungs in the roof cap where the roof drains are located , water can by pass the rubber seal and get into the roof cap , it would show exactly where your leak is .

It is possible to re seal, there are threads where others have done so.

As mentioned above check the roof cap is sealed and there are no gaps.

Good afternoon.

I think it was exactly this, pitty I didnt see this earlier.

A couple of weeks ago I investigated for hours pouring water, at some point i raised the part of the rubber roof cap closer to the windshield side and i could see some drops of water getting in from below.

I resealed everyting using silicone, carefully not filling the drains. That should do the trick... but i least i know now where the problem comes from.

Thanks.