Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

[Snoopy23]

For those people where aquatex has worked, how are you applying it? All over spray? Just the seams? One coat? Two? Etc

Just seams on outside only 2 coats. Was in france last weak 2 absolute downpours for over 3 hours each, not a drop of water penertrated!

 

[acer]

Just seams on outside only 2 coats. Was in france last weak 2 absolute downpours for over 3 hours each, not a drop of water penertrated!

Glad to hear that it worked for you. I’ve just done one coat all over a few minutes ago. It will be interesting to see how often it needs to be reapplied.

 

[Nick from Bath]

Anyone unconcerned by the impact on the warranty tried retrofitting a seam sealer like Mcnett Seam Grip? Either alone or with tape? Would be curious to know what people have experimented with.

 

[lohr500]

For those people where aquatex has worked, how are you applying it? All over spray? Just the seams? One coat? Two? Etc

I just did the all the seams around the window zips, the seams where the batons are stitched in and the vertical seams front and back where the front and side panels are stitched together.

Inside and out with two coats, allowing an hour or so between coats.

Once dry, you can't see that it has been applied.

In my opinion there is no problem with the material itself leaking, so no need to treat all the fabric. It is just the seam stitching where the issue seems to be.

I used a piece of old cardboard to mask off the area directly below where I was spraying and applied the Aquatex on a warm day with no wind. I left the roof up for several hours before to make sure it was completely dry.

The instructions on the can said to make sure the surface was clean prior to application. But as our 04S bellows were almost new and the roof had only been up a handful of times before it rained and leaked, I didn't bother trying to wash the roof.

Aquatex was applied around April last year shortly after we collected the Cali and we had no further leaks through all of last year. Haven't been out in heavy rain this year, so I should probably put the roof up at home next time we have heavy rain just to see if the treatment is still working.

I have a couple of cans ready, just in case!!

 

[TW88]

I have a 2023 T6.1 with the 03S bellows which leak from the seams. I have given my local VW van centre (Newcastle) video evidence of the leak taking place from the seams and they told me to bring it in for a replacement under warranty. However VW have since informed them that it will not be covered by the warranty. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do now?

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

I have a 2023 T6.1 with the 03S bellows which leak from the seams. I have given my local VW van centre (Newcastle) video evidence of the leak taking place from the seams and they told me to bring it in for a replacement under warranty. However VW have since informed them that it will not be covered by the warranty. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do now?

There's a lot of pages to look through but there is everything you need to know about "Bellowsgate". I suggest you spend an hour or two and enjoy the ride...

Without trying to re-hash what's gone on, what I would do in your case is:

a) Email Rhiannon at the VW Exec Office. The exact email address is in many posts. I would ask why a leaking original 03S bellows has been refused for replacement.

I'd probably wait for a reply before asking how VW can justify not replacing them when there are variants 04S, 05S and 06S which all address issues. The last iteration specifically adds a transparent seam tape to those leaky vertical seams.

Other iterations added "rubber like" seam sealers to all the seams.

As well as changes to version number, many of us received "modified" bellows without a change in version number. Some people have received upwards of five replacements.

I still have 03S bellows (third set before I gave up) but miraculously these don't leak and boy, they have seen some torrid weather. The "word on the streets" is that a less than reputable dealer performed their own "dealer special" waterproofing to avoid vehicles being rejected. But I have no proof, only a set of 03S which definitely don't leak at the moment. Which is highly unusual.

If VW still won't play ball, personally I would have 06S bellows installed. It's about 1k and I'd then just take VW to court. No way they're going to show up and fight it. There's a reputable independent VW place "Kernow Transporters" who have experience in replacing the bellows but may be a long way from you. Or pay a VW workshop. Again I'd look through the pages for recommendations but one's springing to mind would be Manchester and Breeze in Poole.

Finally, I decided I wasn't going to go down the topper route but I did buy one and it's presently up for sale if you want a second layer of protection!!!!!

 

[lohr500]

I have a 2023 T6.1 with the 03S bellows which leak from the seams. I have given my local VW van centre (Newcastle) video evidence of the leak taking place from the seams and they told me to bring it in for a replacement under warranty. However VW have since informed them that it will not be covered by the warranty. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do now?

I would send your video evidence to VW's Executive Office with a polite message saying that the bellows are not fit for purpose and that you are not happy that your warranty claim has been rejected.
Mention that you are fully aware that the problem is not isolated and that you are also aware that only the 06S version appears to be watertight.

The lady dealing with previous bellow issues is Rhiannon Owens and she will be well aware of the problems. The email address is [email protected]

If you don't get an acceptable result, then I think your next step should be The Motor Ombudsman.
Ask VW Executive Office to send you a deadlock letter if they refuse to replace your bellows as this should help speed up the process with The Ombudsman.

If you end up going to The Ombudsman you could point them to this thread on the forum which now runs to 180 pages and highlights the widespread nature of the problem. Plus the fact that VW tried 04S and 05S versions before finalising on the 06S version to solve the problem.

Another option could be to raise a Small Claims Court case although I am not sure how that works.

It beggars belief that VW are refusing to sort out any new warranty claims for leaking bellows given the history. Not all owners will have used their pop top roofs in the rain up to now, so I don't see how VW can close the shutters on this.