Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

[markbrown83]

They do. I think VW engineers/designers are constantly improving, this time it went slightly wrong. Took my van to the Lakes Friday...they really are pretty well sorted

Your new Cali? You have it?

 

[stationmaster]

Your new Cali? You have it?

Not yet. Sorry, i can't shed any more light on your bellows concerns. New one is still early March. I've had them for years - T5 through to T6.1.

 

[Ged1625]

I pick mine up on 4th March so will update what the bellow label says

 

[bullibuskombi]

The 9/11 date comes from Adrian, who in turn advises that is what VW are saying internally. As you say, it wasn’t in that one page note to the dealers (copy attached).

The relevance of that date remains unknown, and Adrian advises every week when we speak that he is still chasing VW in Germany for the rationale. There remains no feedback from VW yet as to whether 04S bellows differ after that date or whether it’s just a random date (eg when the 04S started to be distributed).

If people have bellows dated prior to 9/11 then I would suggest email or speak to Adrian so you are on his list - he will then phone you weekly until resolved and also speak to the dealer you have selected for the repair. He is very candid in admitting that 03S are acknowledged as a failed part, and in my own experience I haven’t had to prove they leak (go in tmrw for 2nd set of replacement, albeit first set of 04S). First occasion I was in/out same day, this time 4 days as they are repairing paint also.

For those awaiting new vans the theory is the production line has been getting first call on the later 04S bellows, so Adrian believes, so hopefully you will be ok

My dealer eventually replaced my bellows with another 03S despite checking with them for tge correct part before leaving it with them.
Also looks like some one walked on it as its soiled. I have rejected the repair and am awaiting their proposal for rectification.

 

[Andy C Berks.]

My dealer eventually replaced my bellows with another 03S despite checking with them for tge correct part before leaving it with them.
Also looks like some one walked on it as its soiled. I have rejected the repair and am awaiting their proposal for rectification.

Ah sorry to hear that. Can fully relate to it though, sadly, as my first replacement was a set of 03S along with a chip in the paint on the drivers door. That despite the dealer confirming several times that they definitely had 04S replacements ready for me - frankly I think they just thought let’s ignore him as how can he possibly know what he’s talking about ! Anyhow I have seen the label this time as wasn’t going back in until they had shown me. If you havent already make sure you have Adrian in the loop, as it seems he gets nearly as frustrated as us about the time being taken to resolve and does speak to the dealers regularly - am sure that helps with some, others may ignore him too !

 

[bullibuskombi]

Ah sorry to hear that. Can fully relate to it though, sadly, as my first replacement was a set of 03S along with a chip in the paint on the drivers door. That despite the dealer confirming several times that they definitely had 04S replacements ready for me - frankly I think they just thought let’s ignore him as how can he possibly know what he’s talking about ! Anyhow I have seen the label this time as wasn’t going back in until they had shown me. If you havent already make sure you have Adrian in the loop, as it seems he gets nearly as frustrated as us about the time being taken to resolve and does speak to the dealers regularly - am sure that helps with some, others may ignore him too !

Yes, I feel for you. I have Adrian in the loop who has spoken with the dealer several times on this matter but they fail to deliver, fiegning ignorance of the issue and its rectifications. I raised this issue with them in July 23 and its only Adrian's involvement that has prompted any action from them.
Stay tuned for the next excruciating episode.

 

[Paul1]

Yes, I feel for you. I have Adrian in the loop who has spoken with the dealer several times on this matter but they fail to deliver, fiegning ignorance of the issue and its rectifications. I raised this issue with them in July 23 and its only Adrian's involvement that has prompted any action from them.
Stay tuned for the next excruciating episode.

Can you name this dealership please, so we can avoid them ?

 

[west hythe]

Fingers crossed just got a picture from dealer of my bellow label picking van up on the 9th March

 

[west hythe]

Not a very good picture think its 10/1/24

 

[markbrown83]

Fingers crossed just got a picture from dealer of my bellow label picking van up on the 9th March

View attachment 119821

First 2024 date. Nice. What was your build week?

 

[RockinNRollin]

Definitely can see 2024 as the year so that should be good. Quality of the photo suggests a pinhole camera circa 1924 though.

 

[Sheffield10]

Just a word of warning for anyone about to take their van in for replacement bellows - I was due to drive 5 hours back to the supplying dealer for a second replacement bellows today. At my insistence, they checked the part VW delivered this morning only to find they were dated October. This despite the dealer and VW EO repeatedly stating that VW have assured them that all old bellows have been removed from circulation. This comes two weeks after the dealer confirmed they had the new replacement bellows in stock, only for VW to then flag the new part number they had told dealers to order was actually for the manual roof not the hydraulic.

Its hard to imagine any corporation being this incompetent about something they could care less about... ...ah, maybe that's the answer right there.

 

[west hythe]

First 2024 date. Nice. What was your build week?

week4

 

[juju.smith1971]

week4

Oh same as ours - brought forward from week 6. Picking ours up real soon so that’s good to read

 

[markbrown83]

Oh same as ours - brought forward from week 6. Picking ours up real soon so that’s good to read

We were week 5 but it started prod end of week 4.

I wonder if the colour of the van has something to do with what variant you get too. As it’s all pre sprayed.

Ours is candy white.

 

[west hythe]

Oh same as ours - brought forward from week 6. Picking ours up real soon so that’s good to read

That's good I'm glad that was helpful it's been doing my nut in as well.

 

[juju.smith1971]

We were week 5 but it started prod end of week 4.

I wonder if the colour of the van has something to do with what variant you get too. As it’s all pre sprayed.

Ours is candy white.

Candy white here too! Ours is with Breeze but due to busy schedules we are not picking it up until mid March. So relieved to see that bellows tag

 

[juju.smith1971]

That's good I'm glad that was helpful it's been doing my nut in as well.

Fingers crossed for you that it’s watertight. Enjoy your new van - you will love it

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Just a word of warning for anyone about to take their van in for replacement bellows - I was due to drive 5 hours back to the supplying dealer for a second replacement bellows today. At my insistence, they checked the part VW delivered this morning only to find they were dated October. This despite the dealer and VW EO repeatedly stating that VW have assured them that all old bellows have been removed from circulation. This comes two weeks after the dealer confirmed they had the new replacement bellows in stock, only for VW to then flag the new part number they had told dealers to order was actually for the manual roof not the hydraulic.

Its hard to imagine any corporation being this incompetent about something they could care less about... ...ah, maybe that's the answer right there.

Has anyone actually had a replacement bellows fitted with a date more recent date than 9 Nov 23??

Don't all shout at once.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Has anyone actually had a replacement bellows fitted with a date more recent date than 9 Nov 23??

Don't all shout at once.

Yep. Not tested yet though.

 

[bullibuskombi]

Can you name this dealership please, so we can avoid them ?

Dartford. Latest episode update, they fitted what they were told to do.
Now in a cross fire between VW exec and the dealer.
Thinking is it all worth it and getting rid.

 

[markbrown83]

Just had update from the dealer. Van is due to arrive with them in the next few days and he'll send a photo of the tag when it arrives with them.

I'm expecting our collection date will be 9th March.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Dartford. Latest episode update, they fitted what they were told to do.
Now in a cross fire between VW exec and the dealer.
Thinking is it all worth it and getting rid.

It probably is worth it; the solution is in sight, even if it means changing dealer to get it finished.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Yep. Not tested yet though.

Does yours have an extra foam or rubber I insert along the front horizontal seam do you know?

 

[bullibuskombi]

Does yours have an extra foam or rubber I insert along the front horizontal seam do you know?

No, it's the same as the original.
I raised this in my discussion with the service manager.
We appear to have better knowledge that the dealers.