Should this water be here?

fili villanueva · Mar 3, 2023

Excellent tips, guys. Many thanks. I may have to try all of them.

fili villanueva · Mar 3, 2023

I knew it wouldn't be a 10-min job.

How do you guys remove the wiper arms? I have removed the caps, the nuts, and they do not move at all. I have searched and some people talk about a specific removal tool, but say it damages the coating of the arm, another guy gives the arm, where it joins the moving part, a couple of punches with his fist to unlock it. Have tried that, which I have not liked to do at all, and did not work anyway. Then a third approach I have seen is the one in this video, but I hope I don't need to get to that.

At the moment I have sprayed them with loads of 4WD and will try later today just with my hands.

KGCali · Mar 3, 2023

fili villanueva said:
I knew it wouldn't be a 10-min job.

How do you guys remove the wiper arms? I have removed the caps, the nuts, and they do not move at all. I have searched and some people talk about a specific removal tool, but say it damages the coating of the arm, another guy gives the arm, where it joins the moving part, a couple of punches with his fist to unlock it. Have tried that, which I have not liked to do at all, and did not work anyway. Then a third approach I have seen is the one in this video, but I hope I don't need to get to that.

At the moment I have sprayed them with loads of 4WD and will try later today just with my hands.

I didn't have to remove the wipers on my T5.1, I just removed the scuttle rubber seal then warmed up the plastic scuttle panel and raised it a little, unscrewed the two metal plates either side of the engine and wiggled them out

I that doesn't work just buy a wiper removal tool..

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Perfectos · Mar 3, 2023

Have a look at this vid

KGCali · Mar 3, 2023

Perfectos said:
Have a look at this vid

That's never worked for me unless the wipers have been off before or the vehicle is not very old. Once they are off give the spindle a good wire brush and apply a little copper slip grease to make it easy next time

fili villanueva · Mar 3, 2023

I had seen that video and I agree with KGCali it does not work, even if the vehicle is not very old. Well, I don't consider three and a half years to be old, and it sleeps in a private garage.
I have tried again after a few hours of having applied WD40, and nothing. It is far easier that one of your wheels comes undone and you loose it, than a wiper arm. I didn't realise they were so critical to safety.

Following your advice, and being lucky because Spanish wipers go differently from UK ones, and the blocked hole is the right hand one, I have managed to separate the scuttle a bit, as you see in the pic below, enough to take a picture and also tried to insert the little pipe that comes with the WD40. It does not go in. It feels as very dry and hard plastic. Is this, where the arrow points in the pic below, where I have to push something through?

flying banana · Mar 3, 2023

Try the double hammer method on the arms. Like you would a lower ball joint

Perfectos · Mar 3, 2023

KGCali said:
That's never worked for me unless the wipers have been off before or the vehicle is not very old. Once they are off give the spindle a good wire brush and apply a little copper slip grease to make it easy next time

How have you got them off before ?

fili villanueva · Mar 3, 2023

Hi again, guys. Finally got it sorted!
My partner has arrived with a syringe and blowing air from the top has unblocked the drain. Attached to the syringe I have used one of those thermoretractable tubes for wires, which is a bit too soft, however has the right diameter and has done the job. I live in Barcelona but in the middle of a forest and didn't have anything else.
Next time I take the van to my mechanic, I'll ask him to remove the wiper arms and apply some grease, as KGCali has suggested, so I'll be able to remove them myself without hassle and clean behind that scuttle regularly. Apart from being able to access these valves, a lot of rubbish gets in there depending on where you park, and here in Spain we have loads of pine trees.
Thanks all for your help! Apart from having solved the issue, I've learnt a few new words!

KGCali · Mar 3, 2023

Perfectos said:
How have you got them off before ?

With the wiper puller in my previous link

Themeparkdad · Jun 30, 2024

calikev said:
They also work on gravity and water will build up before they empty

Hi everyone

What level should water build up to before the front roof drain outlet valves (in the scuttle) open?

Does it just build up to partway up the pipe down the A pillar before the outlet valve opens, so any water you pour into the roof drain area should flow into the drain hole, (but then only flow out when enough builds up in the pipe)?

Or do you have to fill or part fill the inlet area to the front roof drains (under the black cover) before flow starts?

I have to fill this inlet area full (see photo) before anything flows into the drain hole. But then it all flows away with a gurgle.

I was having to fill up to the level of the base of the canvas to start flow, but flushed it through with the a syringe (thanks for the recommendation!) and it is now improved.

It’d be great to know if it is now how it is meant to be or if I need to get the outlet valves to open earlier.

Thanks!

briwy · Jun 30, 2024

Has your Cali had the front roof panel job done. From experience they are pretty sloppy about whete and how they seal it up. It's possible that the drain holes could be partly covered or similar making the water build up before draining.

Themeparkdad · Jul 1, 2024

briwy said:
Has your Cali had the front roof panel job done. From experience they are pretty sloppy about whete and how they seal it up. It's possible that the drain holes could be partly covered or similar making the water build up before draining.

It’s a 2019 T6 which I’ve had from new, and I thought had not had anything done. However I recently had a paint inspection which picked up double thickness paint in areas, and the Van Centre asked if I’d had a roof repair before, due to the paint thickness and due to the amount of sealant on the hydraulic pipes near the front roof drains.

However, it looks like the sealant shouldn’t obstruct entry of water into the roof drains:

KGCali · Jul 1, 2024

Themeparkdad said:
It’s a 2019 T6 which I’ve had from new, and I thought had not had anything done. However I recently had a paint inspection which picked up double thickness paint in areas, and the Van Centre asked if I’d had a roof repair before, due to the paint thickness and due to the amount of sealant on the hydraulic pipes near the front roof drains.

However, it looks like the sealant shouldn’t obstruct entry of water into the roof drains:View attachment 125505

That's too much sealant, there shouldn't be any on the bottom as this will really slow down the water drain rate, get VW to remove it and seal it properly. It should look like this ...

Themeparkdad · Jul 1, 2024

Thanks

KGCali said:
That's too much sealant, there shouldn't be any on the bottom as this will really slow down the water drain rate, get VW to remove it and seal it properly. It should look like this ...

View attachment 125515

Thanks for your help, I’ll get it looked at!

briwy · Jul 2, 2024

Probably worth spending a tenner and getting the proper tool then you won't do any damage.

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