Loving our new (to us) Cali! Small roof leak issue though...

HeatherT · Oct 10, 2023

We recently upgraded campervans from an Alphard to a 2013 VW California (small engine at 140hp but fine for us). Main reasons for changing were the rear bench seat is on rails so it can be moved forward while driving for a carsick child, plus pop top that actually sleeps 2. We are absolutely loving it - just spent a week on Islay and Jura. Small issue with a roof leak - it's Scotland in October so of course we got plenty of horizontal rain - rear of the van in the left corner when pop-top is up. Fairly significant. Can't find any visual defects with either the awning rail or roof/canvas link. Any thoughts welcome! Also - how often do people re-waterproof their canvas top? TIA

dspuk · Oct 10, 2023

I was going to point you to the 'Leaky Roof" crew, but see you have a T5 - defo some T5 experts on here who can help. Could be blocked drain holes at both ends.

Mountain Beach · Oct 10, 2023

dspuk said:
I was going to point you to the 'Leaky Roof" crew, but see you have a T5 - defo some T5 experts on here who can help. Could be blocked drain holes at both ends.

If it is blocked drain holes, then easy to remedy. The drain holes are front and back on both sides of the "gutter" just below where the roof canvas joins the top of the van roof and easy to see if you put the roof up (they are under the roof when it is closed) and stand on the tyres/a ladder etc... The rear ones go through to the top of the boot lip through a rubber channel and drain down the side of the boot lip and the front drains go down the front a-pillars and come out in the wheel arches somewhere. Mine were blocked when I got my 2014 van and it was obvious water had been sitting in the gutter behind the blocked drain for a while.

BEWARE!!! Don't just shove something into the drains to unblock them - you can dislodge the tubing and then have a bit of a job to reconnect it all up (or get a worse leak). Instead, I used a homemade device to blow air into them to unblock, which worked well. It was a clean nozzle from a new tube of silicone sealant with a shortish length of garden hose sealed onto it with electrical tape. I just wedged the nozzle into the drain holes and blew as hard as I could.... a lot... In both cases, after a bit of effort, some mush came out of the drains followed by the water that had collected. They have been fine for months now, although because the drain holes are slightly above the base of the gutter, there is often a very small amount of water left it it really rains.

Easy and almost free to do...

Steve

Polomint · Oct 11, 2023

Perhaps get a pop top cover, makes it more weather resistant.

larrylamb · Oct 11, 2023

As @Mountain Beach says regarding drains. Rear drain is quite short into the rear door area so should be easy to test with some water. If water appears inside instead of the boot hatch area then the tubing has disconnected. i accidently disconnected one whilst wiring an led awning light, was relatively easy enought to reconnect.

flying banana · Oct 11, 2023

as said,check roof drains. a topper is a good idea for winter camping. i use rainbow screen. fantastic quality and kept me bone dry through days of lake district rain last week. also beware sometimes in weather like that, if the bedding is touching the sides it can cause a wicking effect. if theres no obvious defects with the canvas then leave well alone. they don't generally need 're proofing'. enjoy

RockinNRollin · Oct 11, 2023

Slightly off topic; I see you stayed at Port Mor on Islay - great site, we were there last month! Question though; where did you stay on Jura? We didn't really have time to visit on this occasion, but a casual look didn't reveal any campsites? Or were you "in the wilds"?

BigJohn · Oct 11, 2023

If you do want to try reproofing, then take a look at Fabsil - there are a few options, not sure which one would be best for you.

derek_j_buchanan · Oct 13, 2023

I would ask VW about reproofing. I would defo not use fabsil. There are better product more suited to the material try this link
https://www.stormcare.co.uk/

I got their details from Gill for sailing kit. They have various products for different applications including canvas. On a test for clothing the destroyed the competition like grangers and Nikwax plus others.

Lambeth Cali · Oct 13, 2023

I used Fabsil. Seemed to work. One big can did the whole roof.
Fabsil Aerosol Spray on Proofer https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000XY9NVU?tag=eliteelect-21
I think it just repels rain and very easy to apply.

I personally think bungee cords rub the fabric and can cause leeks.

HeatherT · Oct 16, 2023

RockinNRollin said:
Slightly off topic; I see you stayed at Port Mor on Islay - great site, we were there last month! Question though; where did you stay on Jura? We didn't really have time to visit on this occasion, but a casual look didn't reveal any campsites? Or were you "in the wilds"?

There aren't any campsites in Jura - we wild camped.