Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

[RockinNRollin]

Awaiting Dealer response still, have since done another thorough test at home and i do have a leak but not from the base as first suspected it is from the front zipped window and coming in on the bottom of the window aperture so it can only be from the stitching arrangement, it is strange as everywhere else seems perfect just this one small area

dealer is going to contact me again on the 1st they want the van back to do there own test but I have done a thorough test at home and it is still leaking but in one area only.

View attachment 125368

One specific area only suggesting a manufacturing defect rather than a design issue?

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Awaiting Dealer response still, have since done another thorough test at home and i do have a leak but not from the base as first suspected it is from the front zipped window and coming in on the bottom of the window aperture so it can only be from the stitching arrangement, it is strange as everywhere else seems perfect just this one small area

dealer is going to contact me again on the 1st they want the van back to do there own test but I have done a thorough test at home and it is still leaking but in one area only.

View attachment 125368

This is exactly where my 04S leaked. It had the black tape but still leaked here.

 

[1954BD]

Anyone had any luck getting a cover out of Vw for the roof whilst they sort issues out

 

[Justinitus]

Anyone had any luck getting a cover out of Vw for the roof whilst they sort issues out

Yes, some did - either a cover or money to buy a cover.

 

[SGTVWOCEANMY23]

I got agreement from vw to reimburse me for the purchase of an external cover whilst I’m waiting for the bellows to be replaced so I can still use the van

 

[From tent to van]

I got agreement from vw to reimburse me for the purchase of an external cover whilst I’m waiting for the bellows to be replaced so I can still use the van

Me too.

 

[PAL299]

i have also been offered a cover which I can buy and get a refund. Which one is recommended the one in the shop if so with or with out windows?

 

[Elmo3]

i have also been offered a cover which I can buy and get a refund. Which one is recommended the one in the shop if so with or with out windows?

Personally , I prefer the Pucer screen.

 

[RockinNRollin]

i have also been offered a cover which I can buy and get a refund. Which one is recommended the one in the shop if so with or with out windows?

I have the Comfortz wrap with windows. It works very well. We carry it all the time (in case our 04S ever starts leaking) but use it in cold weather generally. It slides into the footwells at the front if not used on site and doesn't get in the way there.

 

[Andy C Berks.]

I got agreement from vw to reimburse me for the purchase of an external cover whilst I’m waiting for the bellows to be replaced so I can still use the van

Yes I did - back in the days before a fix had been found i.e. before 04S & 05S were even a thing. Also useful for insulation in cold periods, or reverse it for the reflective side in heat - albeit not used for either of those options yet, but others on here have and comment that it assists. Went for the Comfortz wrap from the club shop and VW, via the dealer, reimbursed me quickly.

 

[Nimrod]

Good weather today to test a newly fitted 05S...

 

[babble]

Anyone had any luck getting a cover out of Vw for the roof whilst they sort issues out

in Belgium i got nothing and no agreement to replace the bellows. They for some incomprehensible reason decided that it was a problem with the drainage on one side (even though the leakage was from both sides and clearly couldn't be anything to do with the drainage) and they spent two days taking the inside of the van apart to replace the internal drainage channel. next time it leaks i will film it outside and inside coming in and take it back again. *sigh*

 

[P600BOO]

Good weather today to test a newly fitted 05S...

View attachment 125693

That large zip looks like it has been butchered to get it to fit. Sewing is atrocious.

 

[Corradobrit]

That large zip looks like it has been butchered to get it to fit. Sewing is atrocious.

Talking about the perpendicular 'slice' marks on the curved section?

 

[Nimrod]

That large zip looks like it has been butchered to get it to fit. Sewing is atrocious.

That's just how it appears in the photo. Interestingly, the fabric appears baggier than on the 04S, so it's kind of slightly loosely out of shape.

No leaks as yet, but it didn't rain very hard and stopped a while ago.

 

[OxonCalifornia]

That large zip looks like it has been butchered to get it to fit. Sewing is atrocious.

I think they are all like that to accommodate the stresses of the curvature ...no butchery - purposely slit - my O2S bellows are exactly the same.

 

[Corradobrit]

Interestingly, the fabric appears baggier than on the 04S, so it's kind of slightly loosely out of shape.

Bz design I imagine. The taughtness of the stretch fabric is contributing to the leakiness of the bellows.

 

[Nimrod]

Bz design I imagine. The taughtness of the stretch fabric is contributing to the leakiness of the bellows.

Yes, I was wondering that myself.

Still no leaks so far! There is a wind driven drizzle here, but not a good soaking, so the jury is still out ATM!

Apparently heavier rain tonight, so let's see...

Regarding the new design, I can also confirm that all the seams around windows etc appear to have the black seal tape sewn into them this time. However the very top section of the big front opening doesn't. I guess they decided it's unlikely to get very wet due to the roof overhang?!?

Also the vertical seams next to the big opening zips don't have black tape, neither do the small ones at the back corners. Both of these places leaked on my 04S, so I'm interested to see how they hold up this time!!!?

Perhaps being slightly less taught is the new idea/solution???

 

[OxonCalifornia]

Yes, I was wondering that myself.

Still no leaks so far! There is a wind driven drizzle here, but not a good soaking, so the jury is still out ATM!

Apparently heavier rain tonight, so let's see...

Regarding the new design, I can also confirm that all the seams around windows etc appear to have the black seal tape sewn into them this time. However the very top section of the big front opening doesn't. I guess they decided it's unlikely to get very wet due to the roof overhang?!?

Also the vertical seams next to the big opening zips don't have black tape, neither do the small ones at the back corners. Both of these places leaked on my 04S, so I'm interested to see how they hold up this time!!!?

Perhaps being slightly less taught is the new idea/solution???

Keep us all posted on the outcome of this evenings rain - it’s tipping it down here in Oxford.

 

[GreenMissile]

Yes, I was wondering that myself.

Still no leaks so far! There is a wind driven drizzle here, but not a good soaking, so the jury is still out ATM!

Apparently heavier rain tonight, so let's see...

Regarding the new design, I can also confirm that all the seams around windows etc appear to have the black seal tape sewn into them this time. However the very top section of the big front opening doesn't. I guess they decided it's unlikely to get very wet due to the roof overhang?!?

Also the vertical seams next to the big opening zips don't have black tape, neither do the small ones at the back corners. Both of these places leaked on my 04S, so I'm interested to see how they hold up this time!!!?

Perhaps being slightly less taught is the new idea/solution???

Good Luck hope it keeps you dry

 

[OxonCalifornia]

So then all you O5S custodians … it hasn’t stopped raining here for 24 hrs… someone must have some feedback about whether the water ingress issue has eventually been resolved?

 

[Nimrod]

Yes, I was wondering that myself.

Still no leaks so far! There is a wind driven drizzle here, but not a good soaking, so the jury is still out ATM!

Apparently heavier rain tonight, so let's see...

Regarding the new design, I can also confirm that all the seams around windows etc appear to have the black seal tape sewn into them this time. However the very top section of the big front opening doesn't. I guess they decided it's unlikely to get very wet due to the roof overhang?!?

Also the vertical seams next to the big opening zips don't have black tape, neither do the small ones at the back corners. Both of these places leaked on my 04S, so I'm interested to see how they hold up this time!!!?

Perhaps being slightly less taught is the new idea/solution?

OK, so here's the result of last nights test...

All the black taped seams were good. No leaks detected except one single droplet near the bottom left of the front arch window, (see picture below)...

However, disappointingly, but as expected, the 2 front long vertical corner seams, (which are un-taped), leaked quite badly, (again see picture)...

It was approx 03:30 when I took this picture. The rain was moderate and constant with wind blowing at the front.

I have video too, but no idea how to upload it!?

Then at approx 04:30 the rain became quite heavy and the front bottom of the bellows, (where it attaches to the van), was leaking quite badly. I put down a load of kitchen towel, which did a good job of mopping it up, but it was a constant stream into the van at this point.

Again I have video, but can't seem to get it to upload. Apparently you can't upload MP4??

Anyway, overall I'd say that these 05S bellows are better than the 04S, as more seams are taped, but I just can't understand why they haven't taped the front and rear corner vertical seams too? And as such these continue to leak!

Also, I'm concerned with the bottom leaking in the way it did, but at this point the rain was really very heavy, so perhaps the outside front gutter was getting full and it was overflowing back into the van through the seal??

I have a call with Rhiannon from VWEO on Tuesday, so I'll update her with the findings and send her the pictures and videos.

Hopefully she will be able to pass the detailed information I have, back to the technical team, so they can get to work on the 06S.

 

[babble]

Jesus....

 

[Corradobrit]

OK, so here's the result of last nights test...

All the black taped seams were good. No leaks detected except one single droplet near the bottom left of the front arch window, (see picture below)...

However, disappointingly, but as expected, the 2 front long vertical corner seams, (which are un-taped), leaked quite badly, (again see picture)...

It was approx 03:30 when I took this picture. The rain was moderate and constant with wind blowing at the front.

I have video too, but no idea how to upload it!?

Then at approx 04:30 the rain became quite heavy and the front bottom of the bellows, (where it attaches to the van), was leaking quite badly. I put down a load of kitchen towel, which did a good job of mopping it up, but it was a constant stream into the van at this point.

Again I have video, but can't seem to get it to upload. Apparently you can't upload MP4??

Anyway, overall I'd say that these 05S bellows are better than the 04S, as more seams are taped, but I just can't understand why they haven't taped the front and rear corner vertical seams too? And as such these continue to leak!

Also, I'm concerned with the bottom leaking in the way it did, but at this point the rain was really very heavy, so perhaps the outside front gutter was getting full and it was overflowing back into the van through the seal??

I have a call with Rhiannon from VWEO on Tuesday, so I'll update her with the findings and send her the pictures and videos.

Hopefully she will be able to pass the detailed information I have, back to the technical team, so they can get to work on the 06S.



View attachment 125738

Wunderbar. Das ist nicht gut.
To upload a vid best way I've found is to upload to a YT channel or IG as as a reel or story.

 

[lohr500]

Oh dear.
That leaking on the front side seam looks exactly the same as I had on my 04S bellows.
Sadly it would appear that they have only done half a job in resolving the leaks with version 05S.