Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

[SusiBus]

We submitted a video and stills of our leaking O5S bellows. They were leaking from the bottom of the front corner seams, but also badly from under the base rubber seal. They said they had to do their own test. Did they? Or is this just to tick boxes to keep VW happy? Anyway, they changed them for O6S bellows, which look great, but have yet to be tested.
I was happy with the way the dealer SMG Tonbridge dealt with the job, except it required the inconvenience of them having it for more than a day, which if they had accepted my evidence, would have been unnecessary.

 

[Ghostbuster]

May I ask which dealership did the work for you? No problem if you would rather not say.

Leicester

 

[24OCEAN]

I had a 2022 Coast with a faulty roof. The roof and bellows were replaced but still had alignment problems. They replaced the bellows with the new type but they leaked. The selling dealer - Breeze then went missing. I rejected the vehicle after 2 years of hassle. I now have a new Ocean with no issues so far.

 

[stationmaster]

I had a 2022 Coast with a faulty roof. The roof and bellows were replaced but still had alignment problems. They replaced the bellows with the new type but they leaked. The selling dealer - Breeze then went missing. I rejected the vehicle after 2 years of hassle. I now have a new Ocean with no issues so far.

missing?

 

[stationmaster]

missing?

It is good news that after the missing dealership troubles, and the hassle you have had with your earlier van, that you now have a working example of a California - you have certainly shown perseverance!

 

[maxo001]

Hi please can I ask we have just had our 03S bellows that leaked replaced with 06S. VW Garage at Tonbridge were really good and very helpful. I’m just a bit worried that it looks like that on the bend between the rubber seal and the bellows there is a small hole. It’s the same on driver and passenger side. Any thoughts on whether this is normal?

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Quick update for those who used or considered Aquatex. I applied last year but was never really tested other than with a hose pipe.
Had a first proper rain test over the weekend, solid rain for 8 hours with 10-20 mph winds and initially torrential rain. Front poptop section constantly soaked - no leaks!

Appreciate there may be worse weather but this gives me some confidence going forwards. Of course maybe mine would never have leaked anyway but I prefer to be prepared.

 

[sbmcd]

Which Aquatex product did you use.

Quick update for those who used or considered Aquatex. I applied last year but was never really tested other than with a hose pipe.
Had a first proper rain test over the weekend, solid rain for 8 hours with 10-20 mph winds and initially torrential rain. Front poptop section constantly soaked - no leaks!

Appreciate there may be worse weather but this gives me some confidence going forwards. Of course maybe mine would never have leaked anyway but I prefer to be prepared

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Which Aquatex product did you use.

The spray can version.

 

[sbmcd]

The spray can version.

Thanks, this one?

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Thanks, this one?

View attachment 133956

Yes.

 

[sbmcd]

Yes.

Thanks

 

[lohr500]

Quick update for those who used or considered Aquatex. I applied last year but was never really tested other than with a hose pipe.
Had a first proper rain test over the weekend, solid rain for 8 hours with 10-20 mph winds and initially torrential rain. Front poptop section constantly soaked - no leaks!

Appreciate there may be worse weather but this gives me some confidence going forwards. Of course maybe mine would never have leaked anyway but I prefer to be prepared.

That's good to know.

I shall be checking our bellows when the next rain is forecast to see if I need to apply another coat or not ready for this year's trips away.
Our 04S version did leak when new and I was an early adopter of Aquatex in Spring last year. It worked extremely well and cured the problem.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

That's good to know.

I shall be checking our bellows when the next rain is forecast to see if I need to apply another coat or not ready for this year's trips away.
Our 04S version did leak when new and I was an early adopter of Aquatex in Spring last year. It worked extremely well and cured the problem.

Think I applied mine in June 24, but did not get a proper rain test, we did very well with the weather last year so only caught a few light showers. Once the weather gets cold we tend to use a topper or wrap anyway.

 

[Merlin192]

Might be a silly question but can you tell when the Aquatex has been applied? Does it leave any marks?

Many thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WelshGas]

Might be a silly question but can you tell when the Aquatex has been applied? Does it leave any marks?

Many thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's invisible when dry.

 

[ChrisTravel]

Think I applied mine in June 24, but did not get a proper rain test, we did very well with the weather last year so only caught a few light showers. Once the weather gets cold we tend to use a topper or wrap anyway.

Lochr won’t like this I am sure having seen his many posts but important to say Aquatex has not worked 100% for everyone at least on the O4 version hope my new 06 have solved the problem for once and for all Sure Aquatex and other such products are part of the soultion to leaky bellows but not always a magic bullet

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Lochr won’t like this I am sure having seen his many posts but important to say Aquatex has not worked 100% for everyone at least on the O4 version hope my new 06 have solved the problem for once and for all Sure Aquatex and other such products are part of the soultion to leaky bellows but not always a magic bullet

Only passing on my experience so far.

 

[lohr500]

Lochr won’t like this I am sure having seen his many posts but important to say Aquatex has not worked 100% for everyone at least on the O4 version hope my new 06 have solved the problem for once and for all Sure Aquatex and other such products are part of the soultion to leaky bellows but not always a magic bullet

Agree. I've never said Aquatex is a guaranteed fix and I can only speak from my own experience.

I suspect all 04S bellows are not made identically and there is probably some variation in the stitching thread tension, the needle hole size and other factors which will make Aquatex more or less effective.

My plan all along was to try it and see. If the leaks start to appear this year or next and a repeat coat of Aquatex doesn't work, then I shall be pushing VW to fit the 06 version!!

 

[WelshGas]

The thing is Not all versions, 03s,04s,05s leaked just a large number thus the different versions until the last version 06s. Probably a small number of the 06s versions leak, just not enough numbers to justify a newer 07s version as production of the T6.1 California has ceased.
Be interesting to see if the new T7 California is leak free.

 

[reserves]

Is there anyways to identify the bellows version of there’s no label or sticker?

2023 Ocean (lighter canvas on inside so they are newer bellows)

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

Is there anyways to identify the bellows version of there’s no label or sticker?

2023 Ocean (lighter canvas on inside so they are newer bellows)

There is a part number in the front poptop side folding sleeve, it's hard to see. The problem is, I don't think they changed to part number between versions. (I might be wrong though). The only one that is unique is the last version that has taped seems in the front inside corners.

 

[reserves]

There is a part number in the front poptop side folding sleeve, it's hard to see. The problem is, I don't think they changed to part number between versions. (I might be wrong though). The only one that is unique is the last version that has taped seems in the front inside corners.

Thank you.

I can’t see a part number though.

Do you mean here somewhere?

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

Thank you.

I can’t see a part number though.

Do you mean here somewhere?

View attachment 134541

Right hand side above your head. Where the vertical strip (that folds the bellows in) is. It's inside the top of that, almost impossible to see. Sorry if my description is not good.

 

[Sheffield10]

Does this help?

Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

Is this to do with too much tension on the bellows? Makes sense if a stitched seam is stretched then those needle holes will elongate thus allowing water ingress. I noticed when raising the roof on the Ocean, the motor whirs away but at the end of the travel it clearly starts to strain as it...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Or this?

Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

So my van has been in the workshop since Monday to have a new set of bellows fitted. Today the service manager phoned my up to tell me that they haven’t started the work yet as he’s had several emails this week from various people within VW asking which bellows they were fitting to my van. The...

vwcaliforniaclub.com