Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

[Barry Chuckle]

I do admire others optimism, but this had been going on for nearly a year now and we're still no closer to a resolution than we were a year ago. Mine is gone in the next few months and i won't be rushing back to a pop top anytime soon.

 

[markbrown83]

Winter use your probably best with a wrap anyway, get that enjoy the van, sorted. Pursue with VW once a better fix is (hopefully) available.

For winter use we'd probably have got one for thermal advantages. But it's a compromise too far in the summer just in case there's a down pour.

 

[Corradobrit]

And heres mine

View attachment 120629

View attachment 120630

Good idea if you know rain is forecast. I think I will see if an Outwell Fallcrest awning panel could be folded and used similarly. Plenty of eyelets at strategic points. Some adjustable plastic tipped bungees and 4 eyelets attached to the accessory rail (glad I optioned the rail on both sides) and that should secure things.

 

[ParachuteMan]

You did the sewing yourself?

I did but Mrs PM advised ….

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

For winter use we'd probably have got one for thermal advantages. But it's a compromise too far in the summer just in case there's a down pour.

Keep in mind the Comfortz wrap has a silver back so you can flip in summer to deflect heat. Anyway good luck with your decision.

 

[stationmaster]

I did but Mrs PM advised ….

I enjoy a bit of sewing myself. When i'm not doing manly stuff of course

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

@markbrown83 have you been in contact with the VW executive office? I recommend doing so if you’re going to reject. It should help your case, but also it’ll help those of us that want to keep our vans as the more evidence the users can provide the better. VW won’t do anything unless there’s a strong case to redesign the bellows again. Really sorry to hear you’ve decided to call it a day, but totally understand. How disappointing.

 

[stationmaster]

Thanks.

We've been planning the van life adventure for several months and it's been on our todo for several years. However, adventure can come in all different ways. We don't need a van. We will just adapt and find it another way for now.

I think we just grudge the price of hotels, airbnbs etc at the moment and campsites work out much cheaper.

As I've said, it's a gorgeous van, but that's not enough to outweigh the major con.

...adaptability is key.

Plans don't turn out as you'd hoped, all sorts of stuff can happen. You have a choice: get down and lose your spirit, or adapt to the new situation and make a new plan.

And of course, if the old plan looks like it may work...when looked at from a new perspective...adapt again !

Who cares

 

[markbrown83]

@markbrown83 have you been in contact with the VW executive office? I recommend doing so if you’re going to reject. It should help your case, but also it’ll help those of us that want to keep our vans as the more evidence the users can provide the better. VW won’t do anything unless there’s a strong case to redesign the bellows again. Really sorry to hear you’ve decided to call it a day, but totally understand. How disappointing.

Yeah, I've forwarded on the original email I sent to the dealer FAO Adrian. I've also been in contact with VW customer service today and got a case number.

VWEO haven't replied yet but understand it can take a couple of days.

Yeah very disappointing but might be back in the future when there is an electric version available.

I will obviously keep everyone updated as to how the rejection process is going.

 

[This_one_goes_to_eleven]

Yeah, I've forwarded on the original email I sent to the dealer FAO Adrian. I've also been in contact with VW customer service today and got a case number.

VWEO haven't replied yet but understand it can take a couple of days.

Yeah very disappointing but might be back in the future when there is an electric version available.

I will obviously keep everyone updated as to how the rejection process is going.

Who is your dealer Mark?

 

[KevH]

Please bear with me a moment, I have only had my Cali since October, it’s a MY23 registered November 22.
Does this mean that my bellows WILL leak?
Is their a definitive batch of chassis/VIN numbers that have the problem?
Anybody know?
I suppose I could just leave it out in the rain with the poptop up and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Corradobrit]

WOW. 115 pages and 2,861 posts. VW should be ashamed.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Please bear with me a moment, I have only had my Cali since October, it’s a MY23 registered November 22.
Does this mean that my bellows WILL leak?
Is their a definitive batch of chassis/VIN numbers that have the problem?
Anybody know?
I suppose I could just leave it out in the rain with the poptop up and keep my fingers crossed.

If your bellows are cream on the inside then there’s a good chance unfortunately…

 

[Jimmylondon07]

WOW. 115 pages and 2,861 posts. VW should be ashamed.

Don’t forget the original 33 page thread with 800+ posts on it that was locked!

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Yeah, topper imo isn't the solution.

We were going to be putting 300W of solar on the van to top us up even slightly in the winter. Not to mention, as we'd be camping off grid a lot, if we needed to get away pronto a topper would delay that and we could end up dead. Slight exaggeration but you know what I mean.

If you’re off grid camping in situations where you may need to depart at a moments notice I’d suggest not having the roof up anyway.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Please bear with me a moment, I have only had my Cali since October, it’s a MY23 registered November 22.
Does this mean that my bellows WILL leak?
Is their a definitive batch of chassis/VIN numbers that have the problem?
Anybody know?
I suppose I could just leave it out in the rain with the poptop up and keep my fingers crossed.

Essentially if your bellows are a different colour on the inside to the outside then you have the leak prone bellows. Yours is right around the time they changed from 02S to 03S so you may also have the older bellows that don’t leak.

 

[markbrown83]

If you’re off grid camping in situations where you may need to depart at a moments notice I’d suggest not having the roof up anyway.

You don’t necessarily know about these situations upfront.

 

[RockinNRollin]

@markbrown83 pretty sure you've only just taken delivery of your vehicle? Why don't you just say to the dealer "it leaks, what can we do?" and they will probably offer a replacement bellows. If they can organise that fairly quickly and agree that if that leaks, you'll reject it, why not go down that route? Worst case scenario, you're where you are now, best case you get an 04S that works? They don't all seem to be leaking (although I admit evidence is patchy at this stage) and if you get one that works, you've got your dream vehicle with your dream spec?

 

[This_one_goes_to_eleven]

Test #2 on my 17/12 04S bellows today. Raining from now until 7pm with little to no wind. Roof is up.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Please bear with me a moment, I have only had my Cali since October, it’s a MY23 registered November 22.
Does this mean that my bellows WILL leak?
Is their a definitive batch of chassis/VIN numbers that have the problem?
Anybody know?
I suppose I could just leave it out in the rain with the poptop up and keep my fingers crossed.

I wonder how many others have had their vans for 6 months and longer and are yet to deploy their pop-tops in the rain?

Let's consider 03S. It's only a small minority of bellows reported leaking which might suggest it's a random manufacturing or QC issue.

Yet those who have experienced it have had multiple replacements which have all leaked. Think I'm on my third.

Now, if it was a random manufacturing issue, then statistically a single replacement would probably not leak. Yet they do.

That would add weight to the theory that the majority of folks simply haven't deployed their pop-tops in the rain or always use a cover...

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

@markbrown83 pretty sure you've only just taken delivery of your vehicle? Why don't you just say to the dealer "it leaks, what can we do?" and they will probably offer a replacement bellows. If they can organise that fairly quickly and agree that if that leaks, you'll reject it, why not go down that route? Worst case scenario, you're where you are now, best case you get an 04S that works? They don't all seem to be leaking (although I admit evidence is patchy at this stage) and if you get one that works, you've got your dream vehicle with your dream spec?

From my experience, there's no stock of post 9/11 bellows in the country so that could take you out of the 30 day window.

I'd want some watertight documentation that the 30 day rejection period would be carried forwards. Even then, it's an added risk...

 

[P600BOO]

Essentially if your bellows are a different colour on the inside to the outside then you have the leak prone bellows. Yours is right around the time they changed from 02S to 03S so you may also have the older bellows that don’t leak.

Stop worrying people.
Mine are cream inside and grey outside, April 2023 California and they don't leak and have been well tested.

 

[Corradobrit]

Stop worrying people.
Mine are cream inside and grey outside, April 2023 California and they don't leak and have been well tested.

Fortunately for you, but your experience is far from the norm.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Stop worrying people.
Mine are cream inside and grey outside, April 2023 California and they don't leak and have been well tested.

I’m not worried, don’t know why you’ve got that impression. You’re lucky to be in the minority that appear not to leak. Why would we take that as evidence that they’re all fine when it’s obvious they’re not? If you’re happy with yours then that’s great, and it’s reassuring to know that some are ok.

 

[Sheffield10]

From my experience, there's no stock of post 9/11 bellows in the country so that could take you out of the 30 day window.

I'd want some watertight documentation that the 30 day rejection period would be carried forwards. Even then, it's an added risk...

I think you'll find the 30 day window pauses once the dealer has been notified (I'd be belt and braces on this, in writing, with photos / video etc). But getting replacement bellows that are in date and that don't leak is still a lottery, I'm 6 months in and VW keep sending my dealer old bellows.