Leaking Bellows: Installed since October 2023 Only

[From tent to van]

Not sure if it’s glued, can’t tell. I didn’t take any pics of my 03S fabric either so it may be no different. Will see what happens in the wet I guess.

 

[nitram]

Hello- I too have leaking bellows having collected the van beginning of December. I have 03S bellows.
Wondered if anyone has tested their 04S bellows yet?

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Hello- I too have leaking bellows having collected the van beginning of December. I have 03S bellows.
Wondered if anyone has tested their 04S bellows yet?

What's the date of manufacture of the bellows on the tag??

 

[nitram]

What's the date of manufacture of the bellows on the tag??

26/09/2023

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Okay so they aren't the very latest so may that explains it. I think they need to be more recent that 9th November 2023 to have all mods included. Have a look through the other thread...

 

[Markgray6.1ocean]

Just had new bellows fitted in by 2021 van, 04S on the ticket. Vw said it’s been thoroughly wetted and all ok. Fingers crossed it is now.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Just had new bellows fitted in by 2021 van, 04S on the ticket. Vw said it’s been thoroughly wetted and all ok. Fingers crossed it is now.

What was the date on the tag?

 

[Markgray6.1ocean]

What was the date on the tag?

10 10 23

 

[Jeckmacdonald]

Hello, just thought I would post an update. Had Cali new April 23. Bellows leaked. Replaced. New set leaked worse than original. Had to wait quite a while for ‘new’ design to arrive. Fitted last week. Tested in rain yesterday. Leaking, drivers seat saturated. Hi hum! Will update on what dealership suggest.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Hello, just thought I would post an update. Had Cali new April 23. Bellows leaked. Replaced. New set leaked worse than original. Had to wait quite a while for ‘new’ design to arrive. Fitted last week. Tested in rain yesterday. Leaking, drivers seat saturated. Hi hum! Will update on what dealership suggest.

Everyone else will ask, so I'll get in first - what was the version (e.g. 03S) on the tag and the date on the tag? Can you share a photo of it?

 

[Corradobrit]

Everyone else will ask, so I'll get in first - what was the version (e.g. 03S) on the tag and the date on the tag? Can you share a photo of it?

Yes, just because the dealer says its the 'new' version don't believe it until you see the tag with your own eyes. Most dealers have absolutely no clue.

 

[CampervanFlattie]

Yes, just because the dealer says its the 'new' version don't believe it until you see the tag with your own eyes. Most dealers have absolutely no clue.

I have just had new bellows 04S 22/11/2023 manufacture date and they didnt leak after 6 hrs heavy rain. I have changed my vote to reflect this.

 

[Jeckmacdonald]

Everyone else will ask, so I'll get in first - what was the version (e.g. 03S) on the tag and the date on the tag? Can you share a photo of it?

04s

 

[RockinNRollin]

04s

View attachment 119458

That's not good! It's the "right" date too. Where did it leak from? Did you take any photos?

 

[GreenMissile]

Any significance that there is no “A” sticker on the tag?

 

[markbrown83]

I have just had new bellows 04S 22/11/2023 manufacture date and they didnt leak after 6 hrs heavy rain. I have changed my vote to reflect this.

Do you have the separate A sticker too?

 

[Pucci Mike]

So, number three bellows.......First things first. I can't see any visual differences with bellows three when compared to bellows two or bellows one. In fairness I don't have an example of each of the bellows side by side so I am relying on memory for that comment. So nothing really striking.
For the first leaker test I used a hose pipe that was set on a low flow mode (able to stop the flow with my thumb over the end of the pipe). The hose was played directly on the front and sides of the canvas. Water beading was observed for approximately ten minutes on the outsides. It was a still day with no wind. No leakage was seen at the seams (comment later), stitches or zips. What I did find interesting was the colour of the canvas changed from being a dark colour to very dark as the canvas became saturated. It appeared to "hold" quite a lot of water. After about fifteen minutes the seam between the canvas (two types) and the rubber seal (?) at the base of the canvas started to glisten. There was the beginnings of a breach which seemed to wick, left and right along the line of the seam.
So far so good? We will see. I will do a second leaker test in a more realistic situation when next we expect to see a rain/wind combination and report further.

 

[Dorset daily]

Had our ocean for just 5/6 weeks and just discovered our bellows are leaking. Tested in fairly moderate , short rain shower.
Label gives date as 18/01/24 so must be the new new ones being discussed. The problem has clearly not been sorted yet.

 

[bullibuskombi]

Had our ocean for just 5/6 weeks and just discovered our bellows are leaking. Tested in fairly moderate , short rain shower.
Label gives date as 18/01/24 so must be the new new ones being discussed. The problem has clearly not been sorted yet.

View attachment 122983

Incredibly bad news, have you reported this to Adrian at VW COMMERCIAL EXECUTIVE?

 

[Andy C Berks.]

Any significance that there is no “A” sticker on the tag?

For info. - my Nov 2023 replacements didn’t have an A sticker on the tag, but they did on the corresponding label on the protective wrapping they were shipped in (dealer provided me with a copy of that).

 

[Dorset daily]

Incredibly bad news, have you reported this to Adrian at VW COMMERCIAL EXECUTIVE?

No. What is that?

 

[bullibuskombi]

No. What is that?

No. What is that?

Vw commercial executive team are fully aware of the issue. Suggest you report to your dealer and Adrian Burns 44 800 783 4909.

 

[Sheffield10]

No. What is that?

If you haven't already found it, make yourself a coffee and read this thread; https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/leaking-pop-tops-on-2023-california-oceans.50545/

 

[OxonCalifornia]

If you haven't already found it, make yourself a coffee and read this thread; https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/leaking-pop-tops-on-2023-california-oceans.50545/

Better make it 'an Irish coffee' and clear your diary for the day to absorb the content

 

[CatNap]

I have the new 04S bellows. They were fitted late March. In prolonged rain they leak in a similar way to the 03 version. I think it took longer for water to get thru the taped seams but in the end all the front seams were dripping. Perhaps worse, the interior fabric became saturated on one side which I did not see on the 03. For what it's worth I am told their is a new, new version of the 04 bellows (slightly different tag code) and it has very recently been fitted to some vans with possibly improved results.