Roof closing unevenly

[Barrington Caldbar]

The roof on my 6.1 has started to close left side before the right side when looking from the front. The difference is about an inch or just over. I am pretty sure that it closed evenly before.
There is also an intermittent creaking above my head which sounds like it could be the roof mechanism.
The sound of the control panel also goes bit high pitched at the end.
I went over a bump in the road at an angle, front wheels left side before right which I think may be related to these issues.
The roof closes fully but I am concerned that over time the mechanism may be compromised.
Since purchase last September I have been more than careful to ensure the van is level before opening and closing as well as ensuring ventilation.
Any experience of this?

 

[P600BOO]

A quick spray of Silicone on the bellows mechanical parts

 

[Alan Andrews]

A quick spray of Silicone on the bellows mechanical parts

I'd use PTFE spray rather than silicone. Also make sure that there is nothing getting trapped in the mechanism and that there is nothing on the mattress.

 

[Scapa]

Hi BC, both our Californias have over the years had days when the roof closes ‘unevenly’ with no particular long term issues. As long as it’s not much more than an inch or two don’t think you need to worry. If the roofs up a few days one side or other can sag a little (lose tension) or if you are parked on a slope or up on ramps this can have an effect, again if only a couple inches off level not particularly unusual. If at any time you are a little concerned while lowering just stop half way down and then put it fully back up to full tension then bring it down again should be pretty square at that point. Re the high pitched noise at end if raising and lowering this is normal if it’s the hydraulic pump you are referring to.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Ours closes a bit unevenly too. It’s happening on perfectly even ground. The vans going in soon for another small issue, so I think I’ll get this looked at too. I’m sure the workshop will say its within normal parameters some how.

 

[andyinluton]

All 3 of my Californias roofs have come down unevenly, as long as we are talking a few inches difference I don't think it matters.

 

[Konstantin@NL]

Just happened to me this week, it even didn't fully closed after all. Pushed it it up again and closed after that. According to other users it happens.

 

[DanKavanagh]

This evening, while proudly showing off our new Cali to a T2-owning relative visiting from Yorkshire I was putting the roof down - went outside for the ‘half-way down check’ and was shocked to see it had come down very unevenly.

I hadn’t been able to tell from inside, and it didn’t make any unusual noises. It was definitely not fouled on anything, and the van is level on our driveway.

We had the bellows replaced last month and have only been away with the roof up for one night since then. No issues at that time.

I put the roof up again, and brought it down with wife and relative watching outside. It came down fine this time, with the nearside perhaps an inch or two ahead.

I’ll put some PTFE spray on the runners, but will this have done any damage? Should I be speaking to the dealer, or just ‘see how it goes’?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Andy Cook]

The roof on my 6.1 has started to close left side before the right side when looking from the front. The difference is about an inch or just over. I am pretty sure that it closed evenly before.
There is also an intermittent creaking above my head which sounds like it could be the roof mechanism.
The sound of the control panel also goes bit high pitched at the end.
I went over a bump in the road at an angle, front wheels left side before right which I think may be related to these issues.
The roof closes fully but I am concerned that over time the mechanism may be compromised.
Since purchase last September I have been more than careful to ensure the van is level before opening and closing as well as ensuring ventilation.
Any experience of this?

We have a 17 plate T6 Ocean. Last November the roof stopped working completely with an error message on the roof console.
I booked the van into our local VW dealer, Yeomans in Exeter who, after 2 months waiting for a diagnosis, quoted £3,500 for a new wiring loom and switches for the pistons plus an additional £1,000 for the console as the button failed to operate fully.
I appealed to this website and received 4 answers within 20 minutes, suggesting that I cancelled the order with VW and book in with Kernow Transporters in Marazion, Cornwall. Richard Milton tel 07738 538073.
Richard offered next day service, he quoted £275 or £450 for a new remote switch that worked without the console button as he did not have any in stock. He said that the work would take about 3 hours for the new remote and sure enough, the roof worked perfectly and has done ever since. As I drove out of the yard, another T6.1 arrived to have a tilted roof problem fixed by Richard.
I returned to Marazion when an ABS fault appeared on the dashboard, Richard advised that the fault was due to a rear ABS switch which he corrected, on a temporary basis by cleaning and fitted a new console which had recently come into stock at a total cost of £100 (not £1,000) and booked in to have both rear ABS sensors replaced in Exeter for about £450.
Good luck with the roof,