Storm Claudia

[Princess Doris]

After 20 months of ownership, ( Registered March 24 ) Storm Claudia has exposed the roof weakness.
Yes, we have a leak. Very top corner of the canvas on the passenger side.
I know that there are many posts on this subject.
One question !
Has anyone had this type of leak successfully repaired.
TIA

 

[WelshGas]

After 20 months of ownership, ( Registered March 24 ) Storm Claudia has exposed the roof weakness.
Yes, we have a leak. Very top corner of the canvas on the passenger side.
I know that there are many posts on this subject.
One question !
Has anyone had this type of leak successfully repaired.
TIA

Well the Handbook does state that Severe Weather can result in water ingress and I think Storm Claudia can be classed as Severe Weather so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Princess Doris]

I take your point, but we actually had to use towels to soak up the ingress. I will still present the issue to my local dealer. But im still curious to know if VW have a solution.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I take your point, but we actually had to use towels to soak up the ingress. I will still present the issue to my local dealer. But im still curious to know if VW have a solution.

If only life were that simply.

Solutions from VW have been various but are on the wane.

I am assuming the leak was when the roof was up, in which case it is the fabric/seams, if it was when it was down (so you only found it when you raised the roof) it could additionally be the front roof drains.

It probably is too late for photos, unless you replicate the problem with a hose, but those would assist members understand and help.

There are a lot a posts on both subjects (the 'new' fabric and the roof drains). I think you have two alternatives, (i) take the problem in to your local dealer without doing the homework and see what they say or (ii) study the relevant strings (I know that is hours of reading, but you can 'speed read' the earlier part of the longer strings) in which case you will have a better picture. Though by all accounts you will be lucky to get a lot of support now that VW is not automatically replacing the leaking pop tops within warranty.

You do not give your location, but Kernow Transporters have a good reputation by all accounts if you can make it to Cornwall, should you consider having the fabric replaced and to not bother with a potential battle with your local dealer and VW. Kernow Transporter's details and members recommendations are in the strings. Other members has sorted the problem themselves with an applied water proofer Aquatex.

@WelshGas is right if you had the roof up in wind lashed extreme weather: only you can judge if you need a remedy, though if it came to towels (plural) it sounds a problem.

A final thought is that if you take out a VIP membership you can use advanced search to fine tune what you are looking for, by dates and the specific members posting which I find helps a lot.

here are two starters (you may already have seen and shied away):

Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

Looking for other peoples' experiences with the new double lined pop top roof (the one that is grey outside / cream inside), and any potential solutions to the problem of leaking though the seams and fabric. In the last week we've had complaints from customers on all four of our March 2023...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Roof drains

Doing a bit of early Spring maintenance (okay optimistic re the weather) I have cleaned the front drain holes above the A pillar but can you tell me how to find the bottom of the drains so I can check that they are clear?

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[procrastinator]

I know it might not be exactly relevant, our 23 plate 6.1 weeps from some seams and zips, local dealer disinterested, I was talking to the owner of a ford nugget earlier this year, they are advised to re waterproof their fabric twice a year. I must admit, I am tempted to go down this route

 

[Corradobrit]

So if I get this right, you had the poptop up in Storm Claudia? What version of the bellows do you have?

 

[Princess Doris]

Well, it's what the papers called it.
There was very little wind but it rained continuously for hours.
We would not have put the roof up in high winds.
I'm not aware of other versions. It's the bellows that are fitted in the VW factory.

 

[Princess Doris]

I know it might not be exactly relevant, our 23 plate 6.1 weeps from some seams and zips, local dealer disinterested, I was talking to the owner of a ford nugget earlier this year, they are advised to re waterproof their fabric twice a year. I must admit, I am tempted to go down this route

That's why I ask the question. I don't want to waste time and get without our vehicle if there is no warranty solution.
I'd rather look at waterproofing myself. The ingress was in one specific area.

 

[Princess Doris]

If only life were that simply.

Solutions from VW have been various but are on the wane.

I am assuming the leak was when the roof was up, in which case it is the fabric/seams, if it was when it was down (so you only found it when you raised the roof) it could additionally be the front roof drains.

It probably is too late for photos, unless you replicate the problem with a hose, but those would assist members understand and help.

There are a lot a posts on both subjects (the 'new' fabric and the roof drains). I think you have two alternatives, (i) take the problem in to your local dealer without doing the homework and see what they say or (ii) study the relevant strings (I know that is hours of reading, but you can 'speed read' the earlier part of the longer strings) in which case you will have a better picture. Though by all accounts you will be lucky to get a lot of support now that VW is not automatically replacing the leaking pop tops within warranty.

You do not give your location, but Kernow Transporters have a good reputation by all accounts if you can make it to Cornwall, should you consider having the fabric replaced and to not bother with a potential battle with your local dealer and VW. Kernow Transporter's details and members recommendations are in the strings. Other members has sorted the problem themselves with an applied water proofer Aquatex.

@WelshGas is right if you had the roof up in wind lashed extreme weather: only you can judge if you need a remedy, though if it came to towels (plural) it sounds a problem.

A final thought is that if you take out a VIP membership you can use advanced search to fine tune what you are looking for, by dates and the specific members posting which I find helps a lot.

here are two starters (you may already have seen and shied away):

Leaking pop tops on 2023 California Oceans

Looking for other peoples' experiences with the new double lined pop top roof (the one that is grey outside / cream inside), and any potential solutions to the problem of leaking though the seams and fabric. In the last week we've had complaints from customers on all four of our March 2023...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Roof drains

Doing a bit of early Spring maintenance (okay optimistic re the weather) I have cleaned the front drain holes above the A pillar but can you tell me how to find the bottom of the drains so I can check that they are clear?

vwcaliforniaclub.com

We are in the North West, so Cornwall is not really an option.
Our nearest VW van dealer is Liverpool.
I will take it up with them, but I don't want to be without the vehicle for a long period. It's used daily.

 

[Corradobrit]

Well, it's what the papers called it.
There was very little wind but it rained continuously for hours.
We would not have put the roof up in high winds.
I'm not aware of other versions. It's the bellows that are fitted in the VW factory.

Well this one should be easy. Do you have the single for double layer fabric? The earlier 02S single layer bellows are prone to coming adrift at the front corners. Is the water coming in through a gap, seam or the fabric itself?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Well this one should be easy. Do you have the single for double layer fabric? The earlier 02S single layer bellows are prone to coming adrift at the front corners. Is the water coming in through a gap, seam or the fabric itself?

See #1, it was first registered March 2024, so has to be double fabric.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

VW are no longer changing bellows under warranty for water ingress. Don’t know how they can suddenly stop after changing dozens of leaking ones before. Best thing to do is get some Aquatech and use on the seams. VW have become a very poor company for customers with vehicle problems.

 

[WelshGas]

We are in the North West, so Cornwall is not really an option.
Our nearest VW van dealer is Liverpool.
I will take it up with them, but I don't want to be without the vehicle for a long period. It's used daily.

All the Posts regarding Leaking Bellows on the T6.1 have been related to leakage through the seams on the front panel.
If your original post is correct your problem was a leak at the top L hand side passenger side. Nowhere near the front seams.
I presume near the Vent in the bellows.
If the bellows is properly seated could the rain have come through the Vent?
If that is the case VW won't be interested and their testing procedure involves a gentle spray probably significantly less than Storm Claudia produced so won't show any leaks because they won't spray water anywhere near the Vent.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Save yourself a load of hassle just use a wrap or cover if the weather is going to be bad. I have never had a leak but don’t want the hassle if it did.

 

[Princess Doris]

All the Posts regarding Leaking Bellows on the T6.1 have been related to leakage through the seams on the front panel.
If your original post is correct your problem was a leak at the top L hand side passenger side. Nowhere near the front seams.
I presume near the Vent in the bellows.
If the bellows is properly seated could the rain have come through the Vent?
If that is the case VW won't be interested and their testing procedure involves a gentle spray probably significantly less than Storm Claudia produced so won't show any leaks because they won't spray water anywhere near the Vent.

It would have been near the vent. But it looked to be ingressing at the top left hand corner where the hard top is connected to the canvas.
No immediate plans to use Doris, so I will book it in to the service centre. They want the vehicle for 3 days.
Assuming they can give me a loan vehicle.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Sometimes the rubber piping pops out of the channel in the corners. Raise the roof and look on the outside to see if there's a small gap.

It's true that it's harder to get bellows replaced by VW nowadays especially if you have the latest version 06S I think.

Nevertheless, some folks are successful and I cannot understand how VW think they can refuse a claim if your bellows aren't the latest variant.

 

[Up10]

Sometimes the rubber piping pops out of the channel in the corners. Raise the roof and look on the outside to see if there's a small gap.

It's true that it's harder to get bellows replaced by VW nowadays especially if you have the latest version 06S I think.

Nevertheless, some folks are successful and I cannot understand how VW think they can refuse a claim if your bellows aren't the latest variant.

I completely agree with you @CaliforniaCylus however I wonder if all the chat about leaking bellows is detrimental to California owners with this issue. Should we accept (albeit unwillingly as the brochure told us otherwise) that bellows will leak, just like a tent without a flysheet. And similar to a tent or the Nugget bellows, we need to waterproof them twice a year to maintain them in good order?
Maybe VW should accept their inadequate design and publish guidance to assist users in keeping their vans usable in inclement weather.