Pop-up roof headlining

[Jabberwocky]

I have had my Cali 6.1 Ocean (Grey canvas) since August 2024 and noticed the other day that there are water marks on the headlining of the pop-top. I have taken it to VW who are currently saying they are not going to support a warranty claim for replacement of the liner and the bellows (the bellows seem to have been incorrectly fitted (Already replaced once with latest - 06S). It seems that when the roof is down the combined pressure of the zips and canvas folds is too much for the limited space available. This then causes intimate contact between the layers resulting in water marks. I think this is wicking (acting to absorb or draw off liquid by capillary action. Anyone else suffered this way and if so what solutions are there?

 

[Corradobrit]

Can't see the pics

 

[Jabberwocky]

Can't see the pics

Sorry, any good now?

 

[WelshGas]

Sorry, any good now?

Is that at the front corners?
If so, check the front roof drains.

Never had that in 10 yrs with my California with single skinned bellows.

 

[Perfectos]

In the photos above , have you just cleaned the recesses ? Or are they genuinely tgat clean all the time .
I would suspect the former and probably some residue of dirt accumulated?

I would, as WG has suggested, check the front roof drains, the only way that I can see the wicking being an issue is if water is able to collect in the front area of the roof, I.e water cannot drain away easily. The bellows sit higher than the lowest point, by design. If the drains are not allowing water to escape even a small amount of water will rise up enough to meet the bellows, which will then wick the water into to materials

 

[Jabberwocky]

In the photos above , have you just cleaned the recesses ? Or are they genuinely tgat clean all the time .
I would suspect the former and probably some residue of dirt accumulated?

I would, as WG has suggested, check the front roof drains, the only way that I can see the wicking being an issue is if water is able to collect in the front area of the roof, I.e water cannot drain away easily. The bellows sit higher than the lowest point, by design. If the drains are not allowing water to escape even a small amount of water will rise up enough to meet the bellows, which will then wick the water into to materials

I have had four Calis and am fully aware of the benefits of keeping drains clear. I keep mine pretty clean with once a month clean and tidy. (VW have changed the design of the drains so that they drain far more easily than before)

Is that at the front corners?
If so, check the front roof drain.

. Yes, the front corners. They both (gurgle when they are doing their job. I see that VW have changed the design of the front drains but cant see anything amiss.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I have had four Calis and am fully aware of the benefits of keeping drains clear. I keep mine pretty clean with once a month clean and tidy. (VW have changed the design of the drains so that they drain far more easily than before)


. Yes, the front corners. They both (gurgle when they are doing their job. I see that VW have changed the design of the front drains but cant see anything amiss.

Well, I have spent some considerable time trying to find something that explains why these bellows don't work as they should. I think I have found a manufacturing fault. I send you an image that shows a seam that has been made in the wrong location (I think). I expected to find both sides symmetrical but it is clear that theses are not. Can you spot the difference?

 

[Trojax]

Here is what you would expect, if the bellows have been replaced then its down to the fitting...

 

[Kernowboy]

Well, I have spent some considerable time trying to find something that explains why these bellows don't work as they should. I think I have found a manufacturing fault. I send you an image that shows a seam that has been made in the wrong location (I think). I expected to find both sides symmetrical but it is clear that theses are not. Can you spot the difference?

Are you sure they haven’t been fitted off centre by an inch or 2? Would have same effect rather than a manufacturing fault.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Here is what you would expect, if the bellows have been replaced then its down to the fitting...

View attachment 133001

Hi Trojax, who installed yours (PM me if you want to preserve the dealers anonymity).

 

[Jabberwocky]

Are you sure they haven’t been fitted off centre by an inch or 2? Would fit the have same effect rather than a manufacturing fault.

Why would you install the headlining deliberately 1 or 2 inches off centre?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Here is what you would expect, if the bellows have been replaced then its down to the fitting...

View attachment 133001

Hi again, what are those little silver button type things at the top of your bellows?

 

[Kernowboy]

Why would you install the headlining deliberately 1 or 2 inches off centre?

You’ve lost me. Thought it was the bellows that had been replaced and therefore could have been re-installed off centre, and that’s what I was referring to but perhaps I misunderstood.

 

[Trojax]

Hi again, what are those little silver button type things at the top of your bellows?

the picture is to show the seams are in the same place both sides

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Hi JW,

You're having a torrid time if I remember you rejected the last Cali before this one.

Never seen anything like that and can't believe VW think it's acceptable.

It looks like the bellows haven't been installed symmetrically. Or maybe the bottom seam is symmetrical but not the top one.

I know there are marker lines on the top at least so check if they line up. They are on the outside, small vertical lines on the roof / bellows.

Does the water ingress happen whilst the pop top is up or after closure when they are soaking?

(Daily I despair at the incompetence and lack of customer care from VW and the dealerships)

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

So at the bottom of the bellows I can't see markings but the two seams are evenly around each corner at both sides.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

The you get the little white line on the upper attachment and these should line up with the vertical slot. Mine don't quite but they are close.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Because yours are so out of alignment (it seems from the inside photo) I suspect it is tensioning the canvas all wrong and letting water through.

After the dealer has washed their hands of it I'd raise to the Exec office. The bellows are a one-time fit so they can't just be removed and twiddled into place. New required.

If VW still aren't interested, I would look at a company called Kernow Transporters and ask them to fit new bellows. It will cost you about 1k. If that fixes the problem then just take VW to court for refund and compensation.

If you want the best VW dealer to fix them that's probably a drive to Breeze in Poole.

I may have said this before but the incompetence of the VW commercial dealers appears to be a gift which keeps on giving. Freely.