The dreaded roof not closing - any new tips?

[DG1]

A couple of days ago I put up the roof on our T6 Ocean to clean around the bottom channels and unblock the drainage holes. I used a car wash brush on a hose to clean away dirt and leaves. However, when I tried to close the roof, it wasn't shut fully on the driver's side, sticking up about 5 cm. There was no error message
I know there have been many threads about Ocean roofs not closing properly over the years, but was wondering if there are any new, sure fire tips to get it to close.
Firstly, the van was level when I operated the roof, as being unlevel can cause issues.
Secondly, I have tried putting the roof up and down a few times, as this is supposed to get rid of airlock, but no result.
I wondered if the water used to clean the channel was the problem, so took off the plastic cover over the hydraulic piston assembly and position sensors to let it dry out, but actually it was all dry and I could see no signs of hydraulic fluid leakage.
I have also lubricated all the sliders and pivots.
Today I am going to connect the van up to the mains and put up and down the roof 10 times to see if this gets rid of any lock.
I am due to go on a long trip next week, so if it is not sorted I will tape the front gap and run a luggage strap across the front of the roof fixed to a bolt in the awning channels.
Finally, any recommendations for specialists in Cali roofs in the Nottingham - Derby - Leicester area please?

 

[vbk1975]

A couple of days ago I put up the roof on our T6 Ocean to clean around the bottom channels and unblock the drainage holes. I used a car wash brush on a hose to clean away dirt and leaves. However, when I tried to close the roof, it wasn't shut fully on the driver's side, sticking up about 5 cm. There was no error message
I know there have been many threads about Ocean roofs not closing properly over the years, but was wondering if there are any new, sure fire tips to get it to close.
Firstly, the van was level when I operated the roof, as being unlevel can cause issues.
Secondly, I have tried putting the roof up and down a few times, as this is supposed to get rid of airlock, but no result.
I wondered if the water used to clean the channel was the problem, so took off the plastic cover over the hydraulic piston assembly and position sensors to let it dry out, but actually it was all dry and I could see no signs of hydraulic fluid leakage.
I have also lubricated all the sliders and pivots.
Today I am going to connect the van up to the mains and put up and down the roof 10 times to see if this gets rid of any lock.
I am due to go on a long trip next week, so if it is not sorted I will tape the front gap and run a luggage strap across the front of the roof fixed to a bolt in the awning channels.
Finally, any recommendations for specialists in Cali roofs in the Nottingham - Derby - Leicester area please?

I would say you have almost certainly dislodged some of the covers or clips on the side that won’t shut. The other thing to check is that the hook that is in a sliding channel on underneath of the roof panel hasn’t been dislodged. A number of people have found this in the last few months.

I genuinely don’t think this is hydraulics and given it worked before you cleaned it, I think it will just be a case of ensuring everything is where it should be, us the other good side as reference.

 

[DG1]

Thank you so much for your quick and helpful reply. I think you are right.
I hadn't noticed this hook on the underside of the roof before. The hook was loose, so I tightened it up. And the plastic clip it fits into on the roof strut below was broken. Is this necessary for the roof to shut properly? Having removed the two broken pieces, the roof still doesn't shut fully.

 

[vbk1975]

Thank you so much for your quick and helpful reply. I think you are right.
I hadn't noticed this hook on the underside of the roof before. The hook was loose, so I tightened it up. And the plastic clip it fits into on the roof strut below was broken. Is this necessary for the roof to shut properly? Having removed the two broken pieces, the roof still doesn't shut fully.
View attachment 139037

You should replace the plastic bit but shouldn’t affect the closing. Almost certainly the hook is just slightly in the wrong position. Use the other side as a reference and check for witness marks for where the grub screw was. I would move it slightly backwards to start with say 5mm

 

[DG1]

Aaagh, I hate the Ocean roof! I wish we had the manual roof from the coast.
I have tried loosening the grub screw and moving back the plastic hook to various positions, but no joy. I gave also checked the plastic covers for the piston and over the front drain holes are correctly seated, and looked for any objects that might be getting in the way. The roof still doesn't go down :-(
I have ordered part 5 from the roof schema, the bellows support arm end cap, but I can't see how the lack of this would stop the hook above from engaging.

 

[vbk1975]

Aaagh, I hate the Ocean roof! I wish we had the manual roof from the coast.
I have tried loosening the grub screw and moving back the plastic hook to various positions, but no joy. I gave also checked the plastic covers for the piston and over the front drain holes are correctly seated, and looked for any objects that might be getting in the way. The roof still doesn't go down :-(
I have ordered part 5 from the roof schema, the bellows support arm end cap, but I can't see how the lack of this would stop the hook above from engaging.

Can you move the hook completely forward in an area that is well out the way or can if it be removed (I guess not) - can you also check the part that engages with the hook, there is also a bit of clear plastic hose around one of the pins in the scissors, check it is in one piece. I am also going to ask, and don’t take this the wrong way, but have you absolutely checked there is nothing on the bed or metal area that the roof closes on, inc the cigar plug flap being open. Also maybe remove all the plastic covers you can and that takes them out the investigation

 

[DG1]

Thank you for your suggestions. None of them applied in this case, except for the hook position.
Hurray! I am really pleased to say I have now got the roof down. Phew!
I had moved the plastic roof engaging hook to the back without success. But using a metre rule to measure the distance if the hook edge to the edge of the rear scissors bracket on the other side, I found the hook on the faulty side was actually too far back rather than too far forward. Because it fits with grooves either side like a track, the hook was actually much looser than it appeared. It may have been getting looser over time and slid back when I had the roof up and was cleaning it.
While it is good that the position of the hook can be adjusted, it is a shame that VW didn't include some marker to show the optimal starting position.
I have now used a marker pen to mark either side in case the hook moves again.
Your instincts were right VBK 1975, so thank you! Because I have experienced the roof airlock problem twice over the years when parked for several days in hot weather, I was convinced this had happened gain.

 

[DG1]

Spoke too soon. As the hex bit I had was worn, I went to screwfix to get a new one to check the hook was well fixed. But on opening the roof, the hook was loose. The roof won't close again, and after tightening and trying different positions, the hook is loose again and thevroof won't shut even with the hook in exactly the same position as the other side.
I am tearing my hair out. Clearly something is getting in the way. It doesn't help having an awning as you can't see the alignment of the hook when the roof is nearly closed.

 

[vbk1975]

Spoke too soon. As the hex bit I had was worn, I went to screwfix to get a new one to check the hook was well fixed. But on opening the roof, the hook was loose. The roof won't close again, and after tightening and trying different positions, the hook is loose again and thevroof won't shut even with the hook in exactly the same position as the other side.
I am tearing my hair out. Clearly something is getting in the way. It doesn't help having an awning as you can't see the alignment of the hook when the roof is nearly closed.

On our awning side the distance from the front of the rear scissor bracket to the start of the hook bracket is 65cm exactly.

 

[DG1]

On our awning side the distance from the front of the rear scissor bracket to the start of the hook bracket is 65cm exactly.

Thanks for that. That is the same distance that I have on the passenger side. Though the star hex head grub screws tight, after testing the roof the hook is loose again, and the screw tip is gouging the aluminium bar along the roof.