Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

[OooOooTheMonkey]

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.

Exactly, it’s not about when they’re replaced but when you declare the issue. Otherwise the dealer could just keep delaying repair until they’re outside the window.

 

[bullibuskombi]

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...

Exactly, I got mine in November 22 and dis not put go camping until May, when I found it leaks.
I was in Italy and if the weather had been more normal I would probably not have found the issue.

 

[markbrown83]

Exactly, I got mine in November 22 and dis not put go camping until May, when I found it leaks.
I was in Italy and if the weather had been more normal I would probably not have found the issue.

I think wind direction / speed is possibly a big factor too.

 

[lohr500]

Agree @markbrown83

Light rain/drizzle at home today but no wind so very little is falling on the front panel.
Bone dry inside after 3 hours.

Previous test with light wind blowing the rain onto the front panel, supplemented with light mist from a hosepipe adaptor caused leakage on both vertical seams close to the vertical zips and one of the vertical zip seams.

Stronger winds and heavier rain forecast for tomorrow, so will see what impact that has.

 

[Corradobrit]

I think wind direction / speed is possibly a big factor too.

In my experience wind is one of the least important factors. I had experienced zero infiltration with light rain and moderate wind. In fabric saturating rain situation (very little wind) and the semi circular zipper seam starting to leak within 5 mins.

 

[markbrown83]

I suppose, that's the problem. There are so many variables. People claiming they have no problems maybe haven't been in the correct circumstances yet for it to leak.

Who knows.

This is taking up way too much of my time already and I've only had it 8 days!

 

[lohr500]

For what it's worth my view is that it is the amount of water getting on the front panel.

I don't think wind is driving the rain through the seams but the wind does make a difference as to how much rain lands on the front panel.

Today we have hardly any wind so the rain is falling vertically. Because the front edge of the roof protrudes beyond the front of the bellows, hardly any rain is making contact with the bellows.

I am convinced the problem is capillary action. Once the bellows get wet, then capillary action kicks in with or without any wind.

Regardless of the reason or reasons, the bottom line is that they aren't fit for purpose.

 

[MarcHobbins24]

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.

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This Pucer screen works a treat. Easy to put on and take off and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Iv also got a Vanarak but never used it.

 

[OxonCalifornia]

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This Pucer screen works a treat. Easy to put on and take off and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Iv also got a Vanarak but never used it.

Does a Pucer screen that fitted a 2022 (OS2) bellows fit a OS3/4 pop top?

 

[myvanrodney]

All-Weather Roof Screens for Campers and Caravans | UK

At Pucer Screens, we specialise in all-weather roof screens for campers and caravans in the UK and across Europe. Contact us today to find out more.

www.darenpucerscreens.co.uk

This Pucer screen works a treat. Easy to put on and take off and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Iv also got a Vanarak but never used it.

Its great. We used one last week.

... however, not to burst bubbles but as someone already mentioned, this doesnt really solve the problem once we get into the highs of summer (not sure I want the screen on all the time in glorious sunshine and dont want to have to put it on every time there is a propsoect of rain )

 

[bullibuskombi]

I think wind direction / speed is possibly a big factor too.

I experienced light rain with very little wind for a few hours. The water had collected at the bottom of the window panel and seeped through the stitching and then pooling on the roof metal work.
I attached some bin liners to a roof bungee cord to cover the window area and this stopped the leaks.

 

[Corradobrit]

I experienced light rain with very little wind for a few hours. The water had collected at the bottom of the window panel and seeped through the stitching and then pooling on the roof metal work.
I attached some bin liners to a roof bungee cord to cover the window area and this stopped the leaks.

Expect an update to the manual.

 

[markbrown83]

Expect an update to the manual.

New vans will come with bin liners.

 

[MarcHobbins24]

Its great. We used one last week.

... however, not to burst bubbles but as someone already mentioned, this doesnt really solve the problem once we get into the highs of summer (not sure I want the screen on all the time in glorious sunshine and dont want to have to put it on every time there is a propsoect of rain )

If it’s a good forecast just take it off. It’s so easy to put up and take down takes minutes.

 

[markbrown83]

I find it really hard to digest that our glorified 80k tent needs a 300 quid tent to keep 80k tent dry.

Doesn't sit well with me. That’s my situation though.

 

[Kevin5658]

I find it really hard to digest that our glorified 80k tent needs a 300 quid tent to keep 80k tent dry.

Doesn't sit well with me. That’s my situation though.

I owned MY18 Cali & absolutely loved it. Have moved on and waiting for MY24, hopefully soon! My experience with the 1st Cali was to buy a topper to cover the roof , bellows & mechanisms, to stop all the leaves etc… getting in all the nooks & crannies. I have a new topper waiting for the new Cali, ordered from Spain it has a clear top for the solar panels irrespective of the bellow problems
I would still use a topper to look after my investment.

 

[markbrown83]

I owned MY18 Cali & absolutely loved it. Have moved on and waiting for MY24, hopefully soon! My experience with the 1st Cali was to buy a topper to cover the roof , bellows & mechanisms, to stop all the leaves etc… getting in all the nooks & crannies. I have a new topper waiting for the new Cali, ordered from Spain it has a clear top for the solar panels irrespective of the bellow problems
I would still use a topper to look after my investment.

That’s a different scenario though. You’re putting a topper on to protect it. You aren’t buying it because there is a fault with it.

 

[Ernest Driveaway]

Does a Pucer screen that fitted a 2022 (OS2) bellows fit a OS3/4 pop top?

Probably, best to measure, read the footnote here on their page. Call Daren, nice guy, had mine with me within 48 hours. Some of the pop tops vary in size. Oddly enough, he mentioned if you've had a new canvas fitted they tend to be bigger and the off the shelf size wont fit as they've used more fabric.

T6.1 SWB CALIFORNIA ALL MODEL FROM BEGINING OF 2023 ONWARDS WITH 107 HIGHT AT FRONT 31 AT BACK ONLY .....AND SOME ELECTRIC HEATED CANVAS ................... VERSIONS ....2021 ON.............

THE CALIFORNIA ROOF HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE IT WAS FIR ST INTRODUCED IN 2003 ON MANUL LIFT ROOFS BEACH............OCEAN....... COAST.......MANUAL..AND ELECTRIC BUT IN 2023 THE CANVAS WAS CHANGED AND SOME T6.1 ROOFS ARE HIGHER 107cm FRONT 31 REAR SO IF ITS A .......... T5/T5.1/T6/T6.1/ with 103...

www.darenpucerscreens.co.uk

 

[OxonCalifornia]

Probably, best to measure, read the footnote here on their page. Call Daren, nice guy, had mine with me within 48 hours. Some of the pop tops vary in size. Oddly enough, he mentioned if you've had a new canvas fitted they tend to be bigger and the off the shelf size wont fit as they've used more fabric.

T6.1 SWB CALIFORNIA ALL MODEL FROM BEGINING OF 2023 ONWARDS WITH 107 HIGHT AT FRONT 31 AT BACK ONLY .....AND SOME ELECTRIC HEATED CANVAS ................... VERSIONS ....2021 ON.............

THE CALIFORNIA ROOF HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE IT WAS FIR ST INTRODUCED IN 2003 ON MANUL LIFT ROOFS BEACH............OCEAN....... COAST.......MANUAL..AND ELECTRIC BUT IN 2023 THE CANVAS WAS CHANGED AND SOME T6.1 ROOFS ARE HIGHER 107cm FRONT 31 REAR SO IF ITS A .......... T5/T5.1/T6/T6.1/ with 103...

www.darenpucerscreens.co.uk

Thanks - Yes I've been in contact with Daren today as I bought one for my 2022 one but he cant guarantee it will fit a 2024 Cali which just seems baffling? --- he's finding that not all 2024 ones are the same size..it looks like some canvases sit taller although surely all the frames are the same size. Basically he finds that the standard size is 27cm of vertical fabric when the roof is raised at the rear...but some 2023/24 models are coming in at 31cm.
This got me thinking as we all know that sound of the hydraulic motors 'straining' when the canvas is fully raised / stretched and I've read on here that the new canvas is more stretchy than the old? Perhaps some motors are slightly more powerful than others and stretch the fabric to this new raised point - causing more stress - with slight deformation of material incl stitching - contributing to the leaking of some new poptops?

 

[myvanrodney]

If it’s a good forecast just take it off. It’s so easy to put up and take down takes minutes.

your right

 

[myvanrodney]

Thanks - Yes I've been in contact with Daren today as I bought one for my 2022 one but he cant guarantee it will fit a 2024 Cali which just seems baffling? --- he's finding that not all 2024 ones are the same size..it looks like some canvases sit taller although surely all the frames are the same size. Basically he finds that the standard size is 27cm of vertical fabric when the roof is raised at the rear...but some 2023/24 models are coming in at 31cm.
This got me thinking as we all know that sound of the hydraulic motors 'straining' when the canvas is fully raised / stretched and I've read on here that the new canvas is more stretchy than the old? Perhaps some motors are slightly more powerful than others and stretch the fabric to this new raised point - causing more stress - with slight deformation of material incl stitching - contributing to the leaking of some new poptops?

View attachment 120655

totally off topic.... this surprised me when I opened my roof and had a nosey round. Did they run out of paint!! (im referring to the picture)

 

[OxonCalifornia]

totally off topic.... this surprised me when I opened my roof and had a nosey round. Did they run out of paint!! (im referring to the picture)

I think you will find that is the sealant over the paint and butting up to the roof mechanism.

 

[WelshGas]

I find it really hard to digest that our glorified 80k tent needs a 300 quid tent to keep 80k tent dry.

Doesn't sit well with me. That’s my situation though.

Toppers and Bellow Wraps have been around for the California since 2005 at least.
I wonder why?

 

[KevH]

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.

Brilliant…mine are grey inside and out…phew
But it is still scandalous that VW will not admit to there mistake.

 

[KevH]

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...

My wife has just reminded me that we camped overnight a week after taking delivery and, her words, it pissed down. I’d forgotten…must have been the excitement

It may be that I am one of the lucky ones, which comes as a huge relief.
I cannot imagine how I would feel if I had a leaker. Yes I can…ANGRY