Rust under rubber seal on the floor

[Zenaj]

Hi. My Cali is one year old.
Yesterday I noticed tears in rubber seal on the floor on all the doors.
And to my surprise also a lot of rust / corrosion.
Anyone else got this rubber tear and rust after just one year?
Is this under warranty?

Thanks for answers!

 

[Max-Felix]

That's just the metal stiffener part of the rubber seal - not the actual vehicle. Just a cheap part made of flexible mild steel - nothing to worry about really but blame VW penny pinching - as ever VW too cheap to use a better quality steel or one with zinc plating or similar...

Doubt you'll get any interest from the dealer, probably a shrug and "...they all do that Sir...".

 

[Zenaj]

That's just the metal stiffener part of the rubber seal - not the actual vehicle. Just a cheap part made of flexible mild steel - nothing to worry about really but blame VW penny pinching - as ever VW too cheap to use a better quality steel or one with zinc plating or similar...

Doubt you'll get any interest from the dealer, probably a shrug and "...they all do that Sir...".

Thank you. So everybody is having this problem? Or is only me and my family that don't know how to step in and out (it is also on drivers and co-drivers doors)
Is it possible that this rust will spread to the vehicle itself?
How and when do I fix this?

 

[Eber123]

Good afternoon,

I think this is terrible. I agree if the rust is there, will it spread?

If I don't forget I will check mine this evening (is also about a year old). If it is rusty as well, I might will contact my dealer to see what he has to say. If I feel that they are not interested I will contact VW Ireland. I did this in the past and it worked (... well at least to some extend).

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[Max-Felix]

Thank you. So everybody is having this problem? Or is only me and my family that don't know how to step in and out (it is also on drivers and co-drivers doors)
Is it possible that this rust will spread to the vehicle itself?
How and when do I fix this?

The seal is a seperate item - the rust cannot 'spread' as such but the panels on a T5/6 are very well protected generally and they don't suffer like T4's. In short, the panels in the same damp area should be OK but agreed it does not look great - you could certainly ask for replacement seals and see what they say...

 

[Emil Silenhag]

It’s a metal part inside the rubber seal that is rusting. If you want to fix that you simply replace the rubber seal. When you completely remove the rubber seal you will find that the car it self (underneath the rubber seal) is not rusty (usually).

 

[WelshGas]

Hi. My Cali is one year old.
Yesterday I noticed tears in rubber seal on the floor on all the doors.
And to my surprise also a lot of rust / corrosion.
Anyone else got this rubber tear and rust after just one year?
Is this under warranty?

Thanks for answers!
View attachment 34432
View attachment 34433
View attachment 34434

As mentioned it is the door seal and the outer rubber has separated/torn exposing the internal mild steel gripper.
I remember seeing this mentioned on the T6 Forum and members having the seals replaced.
VW penny pinching on the door seals.
Haven't seen any mention of such a problem on the T5.

 

[Emil Silenhag]

“the outer rubber has separated/torn” If you don’t want this to happen don’t step on the seal when entering the vehicle. It’s not a good design...

 

[altvic]

We have a 17 model and there is no ripped seal or sign of rust. WG diagnosis seems correct, to me.
Also, our camper is garaged when not in use and stayed inside November to mid March, so this winter’s freezing and wet conditions may not have had as big an impact c/p to those kept outside?

 

[Amarillo]

Our seals, especially the sliding door seal, are in a lamentable state.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

 

[Rich20]

When I asked about our split door seal the reply was that they are a wear and tear item so not covered under warranty.

 

[calicasas]

That's just the metal stiffener part of the rubber seal - not the actual vehicle. Just a cheap part made of flexible mild steel - nothing to worry about really but blame VW penny pinching - as ever VW too cheap to use a better quality steel or one with zinc plating or similar...

Doubt you'll get any interest from the dealer, probably a shrug and "...they all do that Sir...".

My Cali is 7 years old now and just checked this and is perfect.. No rust.. Maybe Max is right...they are penny pinching?

 

[Amarillo]

When I asked about our split door seal the reply was that they are a wear and tear item so not covered under warranty.

Split is wear and tear, rust is not. My opinion only.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

 

[jts46]

Mine has had this problem for 7yrs

 

[briwy]

Sometimes this metal stiffener has serations that actually grip the bodywork to hold it in place. If this is the case then you need to check that it hasn't scratched the galvanising off. If it has then rust could form if it gets damp.

 

[WelshGas]

Split is wear and tear, rust is not. My opinion only.


Follow my blog: www.au-revoir.eu

The metal insert has to be malleable to grip the edge and so there is no point in rust proofing it. It would be sealed within the rubber seal and thus not exposed to water etc: unless the seal is damaged.
No different to a body scratch that penetrates the rust proof coating leading to rust.

 

[Eber123]

Good evening,

I had a look this evening. The rubber is torn and there is rust in the metal strip beneath .

I am not quite sure what to do. The Van is 11 month old and looked after well (so I thought). I will monitor this. If it is not getting worse it has to wait for the oil service in November. If it gets worse I will bring it to the dealer. I expect that I've been told to leave it there for the day. This is a bit annoying.

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[WelshGas]

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/rust-on-rubber-step-seal.7240/

Others have had the seals replaced. Apparently a common fault/complaint on the German Forums.

 

[Nolan]

Spray some ACF50 on there?

 

[WelshGas]

Spray some ACF50 on there?

That would help but it would be better to have the seal changed as once it has split likely to lose its functionality.

 

[Eber123]

Good evening,

I contacted my VW dealer to report the issue. I will drop in on Saturday to talk about this.

I would like to have this solved (replaced) soon. Also if there is something that can be done to avoid the problem.

Regards,
Eberhard

 

[WelshGas]

Good evening,

I contacted my VW dealer to report the issue. I will drop in on Saturday to talk about this.

I would like to have this solved (replaced) soon. Also if there is something that can be done to avoid the problem.

Regards,
Eberhard

Stepping on the step rather than the seal?

I don’t know if they have changed the quality of the seal.

 

[stephen watson]

Wonder if it's the same manufacturer who makes the roof seal!?

 

[Newt]

I have a 12 month old t6 ocean and took it to vw as I too had this rust on the seal. They were not interested and said it would cost £110 approx for the seal (doubtful that they added in the labour either) they also said vw wouldn’t replace as I’d done it to the vehicle!

 

[Wongo]

Ask for a letter from the dealer stating that this rust if left unattended won’t invalidate the corrosion warranty?