VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[Chilly Cali]

Has anyone else suffered bellow damage while their roof corrosion was being repaired?

After 3 years of being moved from one list to another re corrosion - one job type to a 'new and improved' type, I got my gorgeous '12 'Connie' back from Swainsey via VW Bury St. Edmunds.

First impressions were that the trim around the hatch was misaligned. I was going to live with this though, rather than deal with VW again... it is annoying, but I figured that this is the way of plastic trims. However, on first lifting of the roof, we noticed some bellow damage, right at the top on the port side. Definitely been some support arm interaction with the canvas. The plastic insert that folds the canvas in is bent at the top and now, to close the roof, the bellow needs to be pulled inwards to prevent further chafing of the material.

I took it back to VW BSE and they took more photos and spoke with the bodyshop. They (Swainsey) said that the bellows were not something that they would have looked at, and therefore not their responsibility. I know that the bellows weren't damaged prior to going for the corrosion repair - we are religious 'stop-and-checkers' when closing the roof.

VW BSE haven't replied to me so I am going to take this up with VWCS. If anyone else has suffered similar, or anyone can assure me, as I believe, that the roof would have to be opened and closed during the repair process, it would be most useful. I don't wish to speculate to much, but at this time, I am presuming that the bodyshop may have closed the roof and trapped the fabric, perhaps unwittingly.

The fabric could probably be patched, but the major drama is that the plastic reinforcer is bent now. Argghhh.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Just incredible incompetence by Volkswagen...!!!

I don't blame the body shop, although yes, they are responsible for the damage.
But to be fair they are dealing with a product they don't fully understand.
Surely it's time for VW to fess up, do a product recall and have a number of dedicated specialist repair centres.

As stated on another thread, it's the roof issue which has caused me to lose confidence in this product. I will definitely be looking elsewhere when I decide to move on

 

[leightonjthomas]

Surprise, surprise! He did not ring me, as promised, last week. I tried to chase up today but he's on holiday this week and nobody else can deal with it. It is now six weeks since my initial contact: one visit and six calls from me; one reluctant call from them (Breeze). No further forward at all. Par for the course?

Finally got hold of him again yesterday. It is on the list but will have to be done at one of the specialist body shops in Poole. He will let me have more details next week!

 

[soulstyledevon]

Update.

I had a phone call yesterday from a body shop in Tunbridge Wells who said they were carrying out the roof repairs on behalf of Volkswagen. They wanted to do my roof next week...!
I said no, its prime time camping season and i don't want to be without the vehicle and asked for a slot in October.
At present its booked in with them for the start of October.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Can anyone describe the repair to the bubbling and corrosion that is made to the pop up roof section for me?
Thanks.

 

[Ajspicer]

Can anyone describe the repair to the bubbling and corrosion that is made to the pop up roof section for me?
Thanks.

We have just had ours done, the roof seal is removed and the roof is sprayed along the edge and on the top to the point where the roof bars are mounted.

 

[Jabberwocky]

We have just had ours done, the roof seal is removed and the roof is sprayed along the edge and on the top to the point where the roof bars are mounted.

Thanks reply. New seal? Old seal? Tape on the roof edge that is in contact with the seal?

 

[Max-Felix]

I'm negotiating on one at the moment but it's a bit horrific roof wise - see below.

It's a 2011 so guessing still in the six year period (is VW still honouring this?).

 

[BerndRos]

You need to know the date/month of first reg...to ensure it's under 6 years old. My understanding is you have 6 years to lodge a claim for repair.

What engine does it have, beware if it's a 180bhp...search and see threads on here re potential issues.

 

[Max-Felix]

You need to know the date/month of first reg...to ensure it's under 6 years old. My understanding is you have 6 years to lodge a claim for repair.

What engine does it have, beware if it's a 180bhp...search and see threads on here re potential issues.

Yes, read lots on that - no worries, it's a 140 from Dec 2011.*

*[edit] No, it isn't. Argghhhhh...

 

[BIG C]

I'm negotiating on one at the moment but it's a bit horrific roof wise - see below.

It's a 2011 so guessing still in the six year period (is VW still honouring this?).

 

[BIG C]

My 2010 T5.1 140 had both roof repairs under warranty last week. Tape fitted under roof seal. Interestingly factory visit report on forum says they saw tape fitted on new T6's during manufacturer .

 

[jts46]

Finally had a phone call from VW to say my cali would not be repaired under the 6 years warranty, this has taken me 6 years to try and sort out.

 

[Max-Felix]

For us in the UK can anyone tell me what the current procedure is to get this logged onto VW's system and in the 'queue'? Do I need to ensure it is registered for this claim both with the local VW dealer and subsequently with VW head office or whatever? And what exactly are the bodyshops instructed to do now - remove roof and paint entire thing? Remove front capping or just stick another cap on top and 'out of sight, out of mind'....or not?!

 

[soulstyledevon]

For us in the UK can anyone tell me what the current procedure is to get this logged onto VW's system and in the 'queue'? Do I need to ensure it is registered for this claim both with the local VW dealer and subsequently with VW head office or whatever? And what exactly are the bodyshops instructed to do now - remove roof and paint entire thing? Remove front capping or just stick another cap on top and 'out of sight, out of mind'....or not?!

Phone Volkswagen Customer Care immediately and log a complaint/warranty claim. They will instruct you to visit a local van dealership to inspect and take pictures of your roof.
Ask for proof (receipt) from the dealership that they have inspected and will forward details on your behalf to VW HQ.
Wait a few weeks for a response from your local dealership that Volkswagen will rectify the roof corrosion.
If you haven't heard within a month. Get on the phone to both the dealership who inspected the roof and Volkswagen Customer Care

 

[leightonjthomas]

Finally got hold of him again yesterday. It is on the list but will have to be done at one of the specialist body shops in Poole. He will let me have more details next week!

Tony from Breeze at Portsmouth rang to confirm that Nicki from Totton had been in touch - VW have agreed to rectify both paint issues i.e. roof corrosion and flaking paint above number plate. She will let me know by email details of body shop etc.
Eight weeks now since my first call. It will be interesting to see the waiting time for the repairs and if they will be using the new transparent strip described by those who visited the factory in Hannover.

 

[Jabberwocky]

For us in the UK can anyone tell me what the current procedure is to get this logged onto VW's system and in the 'queue'? Do I need to ensure it is registered for this claim both with the local VW dealer and subsequently with VW head office or whatever? And what exactly are the bodyshops instructed to do now - remove roof and paint entire thing? Remove front capping or just stick another cap on top and 'out of sight, out of mind'....or not?!

May I suggest you make sure the photos your dealer takes include your registration and VIN number and that you get a copy of the photos your dealer will submit to VWCS.

 

[alstevens]

Dealers hiding ? As on a previous -post I had an inspection done in February when the van was in for some other warranty issues and the service representative ( Carr's in Cornwall ) said that some bubbling had been found, pictures sent to VW and response expected. Having heard nothing from them ( and I noticed subsequently that the issue had not been recorded on the warranty repairs slip ) I have tried to contact them over the past weeks - two phone calls with a promised but not received call back ( just put another in .. all busy but will call you back - again ) and two e mails to the service dept manager - first one came back with an out of office notice, just retried ...

anyone else starting to feel unwanted ????

al

 

[alstevens]

Finally heard back from the dealer - booked in with S.G.Curtis bodyshop in Bristol ... anybodya had dealings with them ????

al

 

[Martynl123]

I have just had mine back from its roof repairs and wondered if this bit looks right to any one else. I have already questioned it with my vow garage.

 

[jts46]

@Martyn123
It looks bloody awful, sorry

 

[Meoncoast]

I have just had mine back from its roof repairs and wondered if this bit looks right to any one else. I have already questioned it with my vow garage.

Look Like if you put your foot down on the motorway the wind would get under it and woosh top fender gone.

 

[soulstyledevon]

View attachment 21128 I have just had mine back from its roof repairs and wondered if this bit looks right to any one else. I have already questioned it with my vow garage.

View attachment 21127

This is why i am holding off for mine to be done until October.
I won't be accepting the vehicle back until I've inspected it and i am satisfied.

Sorry bud, I'm not convinced

 

[Martynl123]

Me and another chap picked ours up after the repairs from vw Sheffield and from what I could see the seal on his looked worse than mine.

 

[WelshGas]

Posted in error please delete

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