Leaking rear tailgate

[Simon197]

We’ve had some issues with a leaking rear tailgate on our 22 plate T6.1 Ocean and wondered if anyone has had similar issues and managed to get them fixed. I’ve seen previous threads re issues with high level brake light causing leaks. Also aware of previous problems with leaks into the folding seat compartment causing mould but that isn’t happening on our van. First visit into Breeze Poole the brake light was replaced but the leak continued. Second visit into Breeze they couldn’t replicate the leak with tests, but it always happens with heavy rain, as is happening this morning. I’ve checked the drainage areas around the tailgate hinges and they are clear. It appears that rain is overcoming the rubber seal between the top of the tailgate and the rear of the van which then drips down onto the panel for the bed and boot floor below. Booked in for a third visit to Breeze but I just wondered if others have had similar issues and been able to resolve them. Many thanks.

 

[ArunAlec]

We’ve had some issues with a leaking rear tailgate on our 22 plate T6.1 Ocean and wondered if anyone has had similar issues and managed to get them fixed. I’ve seen previous threads re issues with high level brake light causing leaks. Also aware of previous problems with leaks into the folding seat compartment causing mould but that isn’t happening on our van. First visit into Breeze Poole the brake light was replaced but the leak continued. Second visit into Breeze they couldn’t replicate the leak with tests, but it always happens with heavy rain, as is happening this morning. I’ve checked the drainage areas around the tailgate hinges and they are clear. It appears that rain is overcoming the rubber seal between the top of the tailgate and the rear of the van which then drips down onto the panel for the bed and boot floor below. Booked in for a third visit to Breeze but I just wondered if others have had similar issues and been able to resolve them. Many thanks.

I suspect my rubber seal is like yours, allows a few drops of water to drip. Not enough to be a problem as in my van the drips fall into a storage area. Easy enough to check by sticking a bit of paper towel up there.
”Adjusting” the seal by pulling it a couple of millimetres to make the seal a bit tighter on the door might help, but if in warranty let VW sort it.

 

[Simon197]

I suspect my rubber seal is like yours, allows a few drops of water to drip. Not enough to be a problem as in my van the drips fall into a storage area. Easy enough to check by sticking a bit of paper towel up there.
”Adjusting” the seal by pulling it a couple of millimetres to make the seal a bit tighter on the door might help, but if in warranty let VW sort it.

Thanks for the response, see how it goes when it’s next in to VW

 

[kob200_0]

We had the same problem with a 2021 6.1. I took it to the dealers who diagnosed the problem as a rear leaking door handle. Because of the leak, the door card had warped and needed replacing. They told me the parts take about a week to arrive as the door card is seldom replaced, meanwhile, they left the door stripped down so I could drive it as its quite a job to strip it down. It’s been well tested with recent weather and all is fine.

 

[kob200_0]

Sorry, I realise our problem was quite different as no water was entering the van but entering the tail gate between the door and the rear of the door card. But it might be of use to someone else.

 

[stim]

We’ve had some issues with a leaking rear tailgate on our 22 plate T6.1 Ocean and wondered if anyone has had similar issues and managed to get them fixed. I’ve seen previous threads re issues with high level brake light causing leaks. Also aware of previous problems with leaks into the folding seat compartment causing mould but that isn’t happening on our van. First visit into Breeze Poole the brake light was replaced but the leak continued. Second visit into Breeze they couldn’t replicate the leak with tests, but it always happens with heavy rain, as is happening this morning. I’ve checked the drainage areas around the tailgate hinges and they are clear. It appears that rain is overcoming the rubber seal between the top of the tailgate and the rear of the van which then drips down onto the panel for the bed and boot floor below. Booked in for a third visit to Breeze but I just wondered if others have had similar issues and been able to resolve them. Many thanks.

I have this problem on a 2022 t6.1 beach. VW here in Switzerland stuck on a extra seal between the hinges on the tail gate which helped but did not fix it completely. Upon inspection during heavy rain, I can see that water sits on top of the seal where the hinges are and can work its way inside.

 

[stim]

Here is a picture. I will ask the garage to check again soon because my warranty runs out in October.

 

[stim]

Forgot to add, you can see the additional seal they installed on the left. It stops just at the recess for the hinge on the body but I think when closed, the hinge sits on the seal and allows water to pass through.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

The seal has become flattened because the door is shut for long periods, buy yourself a aerosol can of silicon oil spray and (on a nice day) spray the rubber seals liberally with the spray and let it soak in, it should rejuvenate the seal and allow it to go back to its original shape and seal properly

 

[The Little Red Cali]

Here is a picture. I will ask the garage to check again soon because my warranty runs out in October.

View attachment 127412

Mine looked similar. Have you tried pulling the seal out a touch all the way round. Worked for me. Haven’t had a problem since.

 

[acer]

The seal has become flattened because the door is shut for long periods, buy yourself a aerosol can of silicon oil spray and (on a nice day) spray the rubber seals liberally with the spray and let it soak in, it should rejuvenate the seal and allow it to go back to its original shape and seal properly

Someone on here pointed me towards gummifledge (?spelling?). I use it once a year and it keeps my 9 year old seals supple and shiny.

 

[nickalifornia]

Same problem in our '21 Cali recently, in very heavy rain. I thoroughly cleaned out the top of the existing seal which has a small lip on the top which catches dirt, that seemed to stop it - but seeing what others have said, I will also put silicon oil on it now.