VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[Jamie B]

If it's the good old corrosion that we all expect to get, then it's not covered by the 12 year warranty but (for T5s) a 6 year cover that VW gave specifically for the T5 roof. It doesn't inspire confidence in JCB if they are ignorant of the issue.

I got the distinct impression that they didn't want the hassle and tried to fob me off. There is no way in a million years that you would get a stone chip (or even chips) that high up at the back.

 

[Hotel California]

@Jamie B , the roof corrosion as it is never has been occured on the roof itself always on the edge (under the rubber seal ) of the elevating part of the roof , so if your dealer is saying spots on the roof are caused by other resons and nit coverd he is probaly right in his opinion.
Also look for corrosion on the fixed front part of the roof specialy just above the windscreen and arround the plastic caps of the side Brandrup rails .

 

[Jamie B]

@hotel california - The bubbling is literally touching the seal, so more than likely spread from under the seal upwards, this is in two places (both the same). Not on top or in the middle of a section of paintwork. Very minor at the moment, but I will want to get sorted soonish.

 

[roadrunner 45]

Hello , my 2011 Cali is booked in for the roof repair at a company called Marshalls, has anyone had the Cali repaired there and what is the quality like ?
After reading the various feedback I am slightly nervous whether to have it done as could be worse in the end?
I have a couple of blister spots so not sure what to do for the best....

 

[leightonjthomas]

Hello , my 2011 Cali is booked in for the roof repair at a company called Marshalls, has anyone had the Cali repaired there and what is the quality like ?
After reading the various feedback I am slightly nervous whether to have it done as could be worse in the end?
I have a couple of blister spots so not sure what to do for the best....

Mine went into Marshalls of Newbury via Breeze in Southampton last August for repair to blistering on the elevating roof under the seal. When I got it back they had replaced the bellows as they said they damaged them during the repair. There were still signs of blistering and, even worse, they had totally missed clear signs of corrosion on the front panel right next to the blisters. Breeze confirmed my observations and I contacted VWCS again. It went back in in November (they loaned me a new T6 as a replacement vehicle) and Marshalls sorted the bubbling under the seal (although they didn’t apply tape) as well as completing a cap replacement for the corrosion repair. All seems fine so far.
With hindsight I’m not so sure I would be so quick in organising a repair, especially for the blistering. I honestly think that they are still modifying the process for the roof repairs and I’m not convinced they’ve got it right yet. The main problem seems to be in ensuring that the repair procedures are consistent across the country, as VW are still insisting on farming out the work instead of putting it through their own body shops.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[mattblack]

Having had the cap repair fitted to mine I am unhappy with a few issues.
Firstly the wind noise from the plastic cap is awful. I think a lot of the aluminium panel was cut away and it sounds like air rushing though when driving above 50mph. I'm not quite sure how as it has sealant along the front edge above the windscreen. Bizarrely the noise gets worse when sun visors are opened, I can only assume because you lose the sound insulating effect.
I am trying to follow this up with vwcc but would be interested if anyone else has this issue.
Secondly the rubber strip at the leading edge of the elevating roof has been poorly refitted. I've compared to other Calis and it has not been properly bonded to the edge. Water can get behind it now and guess what then....?
Thirdly the bellows has not been aligned correctly when refitted. When viewed from rear both the bellows support strips are at an angle. The bellows looks stressed in places and I think will rip at some point. Ironically I don't really want a new one due to the poor light blocking qualities compared to the old brown one.

I've not accepted the repair as is and it will possibly be going back in but I don't really want to part with the van again especially over the summer and even Autumn.

Be interested in any other views.

 

[jts46]

Having had the cap repair fitted to mine I am unhappy with a few issues.
Firstly the wind noise from the plastic cap is awful. I think a lot of the aluminium panel was cut away and it sounds like air rushing though when driving above 50mph. I'm not quite sure how as it has sealant along the front edge above the windscreen. Bizarrely the noise gets worse when sun visors are opened, I can only assume because you lose the sound insulating effect.
I am trying to follow this up with vwcc but would be interested if anyone else has this issue.
Secondly the rubber strip at the leading edge of the elevating roof has been poorly refitted. I've compared to other Calis and it has not been properly bonded to the edge. Water can get behind it now and guess what then....?
Thirdly the bellows has not been aligned correctly when refitted. When viewed from rear both the bellows support strips are at an angle. The bellows looks stressed in places and I think will rip at some point. Ironically I don't really want a new one due to the poor light blocking qualities compared to the old brown one.

I've not accepted the repair as is and it will possibly be going back in but I don't really want to part with the van again especially over the summer and even Autumn.

Be interested in any other views.

Feel sorry for you, what year is your Cali?.?

 

[Lost in the Forest]

Mine went into Marshalls of Newbury via Breeze in Southampton last August for repair to blistering on the elevating roof under the seal. When I got it back they had replaced the bellows as they said they damaged them during the repair. There were still signs of blistering and, even worse, they had totally missed clear signs of corrosion on the front panel right next to the blisters. Breeze confirmed my observations and I contacted VWCS again. It went back in in November (they loaned me a new T6 as a replacement vehicle) and Marshalls sorted the bubbling under the seal (although they didn’t apply tape) as well as completing a cap replacement for the corrosion repair. All seems fine so far.
With hindsight I’m not so sure I would be so quick in organising a repair, especially for the blistering. I honestly think that they are still modifying the process for the roof repairs and I’m not convinced they’ve got it right yet. The main problem seems to be in ensuring that the repair procedures are consistent across the country, as VW are still insisting on farming out the work instead of putting it through their own body shops.
Good luck with your decision.

Oh blimey we are booked September into Newbury (via Breeze after escalation to VWCS) for the second attempt at fixing the front panel (First attempt Poole) and first attempt for the main roof. I was hoping these body shops were getting more experienced at repairs by now.

When our Cali goes back, I will put red stickers indicating all known area's of corrosion.. bit sad but may work

 

[soulstyledevon]

Having had the cap repair fitted to mine I am unhappy with a few issues.
Firstly the wind noise from the plastic cap is awful. I think a lot of the aluminium panel was cut away and it sounds like air rushing though when driving above 50mph. I'm not quite sure how as it has sealant along the front edge above the windscreen. Bizarrely the noise gets worse when sun visors are opened, I can only assume because you lose the sound insulating effect.
I am trying to follow this up with vwcc but would be interested if anyone else has this issue.
Secondly the rubber strip at the leading edge of the elevating roof has been poorly refitted. I've compared to other Calis and it has not been properly bonded to the edge. Water can get behind it now and guess what then....?
Thirdly the bellows has not been aligned correctly when refitted. When viewed from rear both the bellows support strips are at an angle. The bellows looks stressed in places and I think will rip at some point. Ironically I don't really want a new one due to the poor light blocking qualities compared to the old brown one.

I've not accepted the repair as is and it will possibly be going back in but I don't really want to part with the van again especially over the summer and even Autumn.

Be interested in any other views.

Matt

Had a similar issue with mine.
It went back as the wind noise turned into a loud whistle.
The van came back again and I am sure wind noise in the cab and from that area was worse. The wife thought the same.

We have since parted company with the van, I wont get the work done again, should it reappear on the new Cali.
I will just get a local body shop to tidy up whatever is on show.

Btw. Who did your repair. Ours was done by Nationwide in Tonbridge and they were awful.

 

[PAD666]

Like many others I have found that my 2012 California (owned since new- bought from SMG) has rapidly increasing evidence of roof corrosion. Sadly it is beyond the 6 year period.

I visited a large VW Centre dealership in Loughton, Essex with a modern body shop facility and they said they wouldn’t touch the work. It would have to go to a specialist in Basildon, Essex or another in High Wycombe, Bucks.

Is anyone aware of the repairer
In Basildon. After the emission issue affecting my Caddy my long held VW brand loyalty is waning!

 

[WelshGas]

Like many others I have found that my 2012 California (owned since new- bought from SMG) has rapidly increasing evidence of roof corrosion. Sadly it is beyond the 6 year period.

I visited a large VW Centre dealership in Loughton, Essex with a modern body shop facility and they said they wouldn’t touch the work. It would have to go to a specialist in Basildon, Essex or another in High Wycombe, Bucks.

Is anyone aware of the repairer
In Basildon. After the emission issue affecting my Caddy my long held VW brand loyalty is waning!

What did you ask them to do in the way of a repair?
I can understand them referring you to another Bodyshop if you asked to have the VW repair, but quite honestly with all the problems others have had I wouldn’t bother.
If you want a good repair look for a body shop that specialises in vintage/restoration vehicles.

 

[Bramco]

So our van is due to go to Claridges (Southport) on Tuesday next week. The original up to 2 weeks is now 2 to 4 weeks....

But what concerns us is that in an email from Claridges they mention looking at the roof cap and also from the list of parts that VW send through with the van there was mention of windscreen sealant!!

We know that we only have the corrosion on the elevating roof. There is no corrosion on the roof cap (the front bit). The van was built after they had sorted this problem out.

There have been a lot of horror stories on here about bodged repairs to this section of the roof and I really don't want them to touch it. How do we ensure they only treat the elevating section of the roof?

Has anyone else been in this situation?

 

[leightonjthomas]

So our van is due to go to Claridges (Southport) on Tuesday next week. The original up to 2 weeks is now 2 to 4 weeks....

But what concerns us is that in an email from Claridges they mention looking at the roof cap and also from the list of parts that VW send through with the van there was mention of windscreen sealant!!

We know that we only have the corrosion on the elevating roof. There is no corrosion on the roof cap (the front bit). The van was built after they had sorted this problem out.

There have been a lot of horror stories on here about bodged repairs to this section of the roof and I really don't want them to touch it. How do we ensure they only treat the elevating section of the roof?

Has anyone else been in this situation?

See my previous posts.
Mine is May 2015 and should have been free from corrosion on the front roof panel as well but it wasn't! It went in to Marshalls of Newbury for bubbling under the rubber seal on the elevating roof. When it came back there were still some bubbles showing but, worse, I noticed clear evidence of corrosion on the front roof panel. VWCV said that this was the first time this had been reported by anyone since the "fix" but they also said that Marshalls should have picked it up as it was so close to the work they had carried out.
Apparently the body shops are instructed to check for other corrosion when they repair the roof bubbling so it might be that they are preparing for any eventuality with yours.
They had already replaced the bellows on mine but I don't think they did the second time it went in. I haven't checked under the seal since I got it back (and don't intend to for a while) but they seem to have done a good job with the cap repair. I got it back in December and have had several trips since then with no issues re leaks or wind noise.
When you take yours in next week check carefully for any signs of corrosion to the front panel. If there is still no sign, take photographs and instruct them that you do not want a cap repair. They might still replace your bellows- mine were in perfect condition but they said they damaged them taking them off to sort the bubbling. To be fair, although the new bellows are lighter they fold much more neatly than the old ones.
I can't see them doing the cap repair unless they have to as it's expensive. I hope you don't have to have one.
I hope that makes sense.

 

[Bramco]

See my previous posts.
Mine is May 2015 and should have been free from corrosion on the front roof panel as well but it wasn't! It went in to Marshalls of Newbury for bubbling under the rubber seal on the elevating roof. When it came back there were still some bubbles showing but, worse, I noticed clear evidence of corrosion on the front roof panel. VWCV said that this was the first time this had been reported by anyone since the "fix" but they also said that Marshalls should have picked it up as it was so close to the work they had carried out.
Apparently the body shops are instructed to check for other corrosion when they repair the roof bubbling so it might be that they are preparing for any eventuality with yours.
They had already replaced the bellows on mine but I don't think they did the second time it went in. I haven't checked under the seal since I got it back (and don't intend to for a while) but they seem to have done a good job with the cap repair. I got it back in December and have had several trips since then with no issues re leaks or wind noise.
When you take yours in next week check carefully for any signs of corrosion to the front panel. If there is still no sign, take photographs and instruct them that you do not want a cap repair. They might still replace your bellows- mine were in perfect condition but they said they damaged them taking them off to sort the bubbling. To be fair, although the new bellows are lighter they fold much more neatly than the old ones.
I can't see them doing the cap repair unless they have to as it's expensive. I hope you don't have to have one.
I hope that makes sense.

All makes sense - ours is a November 2014 van, so just before yours.

If they do do it and it comes back with wind noise, maybe we'll be able to get our names down for an XXL!

Will let you know what happens.

Also had a call from Capital Hire who VW Mobility use for providing loan vans. Apparently they have got rid of all of the Cali Beaches, so the only choice is an Ocean.

I'm kindof surprised that VW can't organise it so that they use some of the demonstrators they have kicking around the dealers..

 

[Richard N]

Hi all, my first post and I could do with some advice on this issue. I have a T5 Cali, 08 reg 3rd owner from 2015, with corrosion problems to the rear of the pop up roof on the underside (see photo). This is on both side of the roof and there's also a suspicious paint bubble externally just above the rubber roof seal.


The van is currently in for a service at a VW dealer. Their view is the van is 10 years old so no warranty cover, but log a customer complaint to VW and go from there. The roof really needs to have a full inspection, - but they can't do this - so the van would have to go to a specialist body shop.

Any recommendations on a good body shop (prefer Hertfordshire area) and the repair cost involved (depends on method of repair I guess)? Has anyone actually dealt with VW regarding an out-of -warranty claim on the roof corrosion issue?

Great thread, I imagine some of these questions have already been covered somewhere. Cheers.

 

[alstevens]

Our 2015 SE 180 is off somewhere next week … the dealer estimates two weeks - is that what other folk have experienced ? … I have asked for a replacement Cali - the dealer said they would 'look into it ' … is it usual to be so provided ?

cheers

al

 

[leightonjthomas]

Our 2015 SE 180 is off somewhere next week … the dealer estimates two weeks - is that what other folk have experienced ? … I have asked for a replacement Cali - the dealer said they would 'look into it ' … is it usual to be so provided ?

cheers

al

I think that the average is more like 3-4 weeks. Replacement vehicle will depend on what is available- probably out of the dealer’s hands- I dealt with a third party hire company. The first time I was offered a T6 van or a Caddyvan; the second time I struck lucky and had a new T6. They will try to get you like for like but Californias could be in short supply at this time of year. Good luck with your repair.

 

[alstevens]

thanks ….

 

[Bramco]

Our 2015 SE 180 is off somewhere next week … the dealer estimates two weeks - is that what other folk have experienced ? … I have asked for a replacement Cali - the dealer said they would 'look into it ' … is it usual to be so provided ?

Yes it is usual for them to provide a replacement - it's done through VW Mobility and they use 3rd party hire companies to provide the replacement vehicle. See our post above.

For us they used Capital Hire. Capital Hire don't have any Beaches they've sold them off. They only have SEs according to VW Mobility and Capital Hire.

Don't let your van go off unless you have a proper replacement from VW Mobility. We got an SE - virtually brand new.

I'm guessing someone new has just taken on a service role at your dealers and they haven't a clue how to do things. We were fortunate that the service manager at Leicester had an idea what to do - but the lovely lady who we're dealing with had to basically learn the detail of how to do things all over again - to her credit (so far) she's doing pretty well. This when one of the people that started all this on the forum Snowy had two vans taken back by the self same dealership....

Anyway - be brutal - they have a problem - you need assurances from them that it will be fixed and also that while it's being fixed you won't be inconvenienced.

 

[alstevens]

Thanks for the advice … Carr's of Exeter have been good so far on the assorted warranty things - have asked for reassurance and again they seem to have to go to VW central as you indicate....

al

 

[Hotel California]

Can not beleve a 2-3weeks time for the roof repair is the aim in the UK .
I'm told to bring mine in on monday and pick up on friday....
...will be saturday to saturday for me as more convenient.
So the repair does not even take 5 working days ! Why do the UK dealers claiming your Cali's 3 weeks ...very strange thing.
Booked for last week november , most of you know where i'll be heading to...
No replecement verhicle .

 

[leightonjthomas]

Can not beleve a 2-3weeks time for the roof repair is the aim in the UK .
I'm told to bring mine in on monday and pick up on friday....
...will be saturday to saturday for me as more convenient.
So the repair does not even take 5 working days ! Why do the UK dealers claiming your Cali's 3 weeks ...very strange thing.
Booked for last week november , most of you know where i'll be heading to...
No replecement verhicle .

Can not beleve a 2-3weeks time for the roof repair is the aim in the UK .
I'm told to bring mine in on monday and pick up on friday....
...will be saturday to saturday for me as more convenient.
So the repair does not even take 5 working days ! Why do the UK dealers claiming your Cali's 3 weeks ...very strange thing.
Booked for last week november , most of you know where i'll be heading to...
No replecement verhicle .

A week sounds great. Not sure why it should take so long in the UK. My first repair took 17 days, including some re-call work; I was happy to choose a caddyvan because we had no trips planned and I had some mucky stuff to take to the tip! The second occasion took four weeks but, as the courtesy vehicle was a new T6 California, I didn’t really care how long they took.
The most important thing is what sort of job they do.

 

[ArunAlec]

A week sounds great. Not sure why it should take so long in the UK. My first repair took 17 days, including some re-call work; I was happy to choose a caddyvan because we had no trips planned and I had some mucky stuff to take to the tip! The second occasion took four weeks but, as the courtesy vehicle was a new T6 California, I didn’t really care how long they took.
The most important thing is what sort of job they do.

Possibly VW UK have agreed a price with the body shops that includes the body shop having a long time slot to carry out the repair so that they can juggle the work and slot it in with other work and so keep thier costs down. Bet if they were
doing it quicker they'd want more dosh!

 

[Bramco]

Possibly VW UK have agreed a price with the body shops that includes the body shop having a long time slot to carry out the repair so that they can juggle the work and slot it in with other work and so keep thier costs down. Bet if they were
doing it quicker they'd want more dosh!

I'm inclined to agree with the idea that these are background jobs for the repair shops but.... The costs of the replacement vehicle hire which is done through VW Mobility with a 3rd party must really push those costs up. Maybe they can reclaim that from a different budget in Wolfsburg - who knows.

We booked a date for ours 3 months in the future and were told that it would take up to 2 weeks. Then just before it was due to go as we were negotiating the replacement vehicle it went up to 2 to 4 weeks.

After 10 days or so with no news I emailed the dealership and had no reply - a few days later emailed both the dealership and Claridges - again no reply.

We were due to go away for a few days, so as we were driving to the airport, contacted Claridges - who said they had been in touch with the dealership after my first email to let them know what was happening and also said that they weren't aware we wanted the van back in any hurry, so had only started the work when they got the email - duh!! So I'm guessing if I hadn't emailed them they wouldn't have started until just before the end of the 4 week period - crazy...

So I guess the moral of that is that if you want your van back keep up the pressure.

Anyway, the van is back and apart from reaking of fresh paint work everything seems OK. It appears that a new seal was put on - ours was pretty messy after nearly 4 years and also the seal doesn't seem to have been stuck back on. They didn't touch the front cap which they shouldn't have done but I was a bit concerned they would.

So all's well that ends well - at least until the check just before the 6 years is up I guess.

Now I have to go back through all these posts to find the one about the tape so I can order some and get it applied while everything is still pristine.

One last thing, as I dropped the van off before the work, the bodywork person from the dealership came out to look at things. (I'd asked then to confirm that the font cap wasn't corroding in any way.) His view of why the roofs were corroding was that us owners spent all the time pulling the trim on and off and this was what caused it!!!!! I wonder if that is the general VW folk lore view of what causes the problem?

PS Has anyone saved the page number of the post where the tape was mentioned - would save me some reading! Thx in advance if you can point me to it.

 

[Hotel California]

@Bramco , the guy who told you the corrosion starts when owners pull of the seal must be a total newbie when it comes to California knowledge .
Hope he was not someone who is VW's payroll .
Howcome most owners are not aware of corrosion until the actually look under the seal....who's been pulling of the seal for them ?
And if your roof has been resprayed without the tape being applied you have to question again if the people working on your Cali are aware of the VW repair procedure at all.