VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[WelshGas]

Sorry for dragging this up WG, but Sinclair‘s have just said that VW has refused my claim for repairing corrosion around the edge above the rubber strip (they repaired the front panel in 2017 due to corrosion).
I have written to VWCS for an explanation, but was hoping you could help by telling me where you gained the above information, if at all possible?
Thanks in advance. Pete

Have you had the workshop recall and the fitting of the clear plastic tape beneath the rubber roof seal?

 

[WelshGas]

Sorry for dragging this up WG, but Sinclair‘s have just said that VW has refused my claim for repairing corrosion around the edge above the rubber strip (they repaired the front panel in 2017 due to corrosion).
I have written to VWCS for an explanation, but was hoping you could help by telling me where you gained the above information, if at all possible?
Thanks in advance. Pete

VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

If VW can't find an approved repair shop in the UK for the roof corrosion ask them to fund you to take it to Germany for the repair, make a nice Summer holiday It's worth a try...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Post 4109

 

[KGCali]

@Azteccamper Your VW dealer should have mentioned the elevating roof corrosion recall at your last service, they don't inform you directly. You can show your dealer this recall notice...

 

[Azteccamper]

Have you had the workshop recall and the fitting of the clear plastic tape beneath the rubber roof seal?

Thank you.
No. I cannot see any tape underneath the rubber either from 2017 repair.

 

[Azteccamper]

@Azteccamper Your VW dealer should have mentioned the elevating roof corrosion recall at your last service, they don't inform you directly. You can show your dealer this recall notice...

View attachment 80358

Brilliant. Thank you.

 

[briwy]

The tape wasn't always fitted on the roof repair. Ours had a new seal without the offending metal clips in it. The new seal is stuck on. IMO the tape is yet another bodge. If the metal clips are still there then they will bite through the tape to grip the metal which is what they are there for.

 

[clarinetbcn]

The tape wasn't always fitted on the roof repair. Ours had a new seal without the offending metal clips in it. The new seal is stuck on. IMO the tape is yet another bodge. If the metal clips are still there then they will bite through the tape to grip the metal which is what they are there for.

This is the first time I have seen someone point out that gluing the new seal is a workaround for eliminating the inner steel layer who's job is to give the seal a structure that will grip the roof, and was the source of the problems. I just thought it was a way to stop us from checking for new corrosion. Very interesting.

I have never had the heart to check to see if my new seal was glued on at the roof repair in 2019, because there was nothing I could do about it if it were. But clearly no plastic tape was installed around the perimeter, just a few short strips at the front where it meets the cap. Now I will check, and if it's glued, will hope that it's because there's no internal steel strip in the seal.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

This is the first time I have seen someone point out that gluing the new seal is a workaround for eliminating the inner steel layer who's job is to give the seal a structure that will grip the roof, and was the source of the problems. I just thought it was a way to stop us from checking for new corrosion. Very interesting.

I have never had the heart to check to see if my new seal was glued on at the roof repair in 2019, because there was nothing I could do about it if it were. But clearly no plastic tape was installed around the perimeter, just a few short strips at the front where it meets the cap. Now I will check, and if it's glued, will hope that it's because there's no internal steel strip in the seal.

When ours was done around 3 years ago we were told that they would sand the paint off down to the bare aluminium. Then they use a “Special primer” to paint over the bare Aluminium. Then they GLUE a new rubber seal on so you absolutely cannot take it off to check underneath. I suppose the idea of this “Special primer” elevates the chance of the paint top coats bubbling up again. I gave our van a really good clean all over a few days ago and paid particular attention to the area above the new rubber seal.. There was no paint bubbling above it at all. So it looks like it did the job.

 

[KGCali]

The tape wasn't always fitted on the roof repair. Ours had a new seal without the offending metal clips in it. The new seal is stuck on. IMO the tape is yet another bodge. If the metal clips are still there then they will bite through the tape to grip the metal which is what they are there for.

I'm not sure this is correct, as far as I'm aware VW have never produced a roof seal without the metal clips inside the rubber. There were early instructions to glue the roof seal back on but these were updated and no glue was to be used, just the seal removed, paint cleaned or repaired then taped and the seal gently refitted or replaced if damaged/rusting.

See VW Guru's post ...
Post in thread 'Just announced - T6 recall for roof corrosion beneath the seal' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...-corrosion-beneath-the-seal.26856/post-324017

My 2010 T5.1 roof was done in Aug2019 by Lookers North Shields with the roof removed, resprayed, edges taped and a new rubber seal (with metal clips) fitted without glue, they did a great job.

 

[briwy]

I'm not sure this is correct, as far as I'm aware VW have never produced a roof seal without the metal clips inside the rubber. There were early instructions to glue the roof seal back on but these were updated and no glue was to be used, just the seal removed, paint cleaned or repaired then taped and the seal gently refitted or replaced if damaged/rusting.

See VW Guru's post ...
Post in thread 'Just announced - T6 recall for roof corrosion beneath the seal' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...-corrosion-beneath-the-seal.26856/post-324017

My 2010 T5.1 roof was done in Aug2019 by Lookers North Shields with the roof removed, resprayed, edges taped and a new rubber seal (with metal clips) fitted without glue, they did a great job.

View attachment 80414

View attachment 80415

View attachment 80416

Well that is definitely what happened to ours. I was shown the seal with no metal before they put it on.

 

[SusiBus]

Well that is definitely what happened to ours. I was shown the seal with no metal before they put it on.

Isn't the metal band encased within the rubber on a new seal? So if made correctly, you shouldn't be able to see it. There aren't separate clips that would cut through the magic tape are there?

 

[KGCali]

Isn't the metal band encased within the rubber on a new seal? So if made correctly, you shouldn't be able to see it. There aren't separate clips that would cut through the magic tape are there?

Correct the metal band is bonded inside the rubber but it may eventually wear then rust and cause aluminium galvanic corrision that's what the tape is supposed to prevent. If the rubber seal is damaged on inspection VW should repair any corroded bodywork, paint it, tape the edges and fit a new rubber seal. No separate metal clips

 

[SusiBus]

I remember someone posted on the forum a long time ago, that they were able to inspect the new seal prior to it being fitted. The metal band was already exposed, and not encased in the rubber, and was rusty !

 

[ArunAlec]

I remember someone posted on the forum a long time ago, that they were able to inspect the new seal prior to it being fitted. The metal band was already exposed, and not encased in the rubber, and was rusty !

I think over time the metal band will cut it’s way through the rubber then the clear tape due to the movement of the roof.

 

[SusiBus]

Roof corrosion history, it's all coming back to me now.
When this was under discussion back in 2012/13. One member actually managed to find a manufacturer in the US, who made seals that had plastic tensioner insert inside instead metal, therefore negating the risk of any corrosion taking place.
Perhaps they weren't suitable for application to California roof, or perhaps no one ever got to mention it to VW. If they are suitable it would have certainly saved VW a whole shed load of money. Perhaps it's a modification to come on the T6.2.

 

[BEETS]

All

I have been seeking advice from a Metallurgist how says that we need to join together to fight VW.. See below the exact words..

A "class action" by a large number of vehicle owners acting simultaneously would probably be your best chance of success, as VW will simply say that you have not met the criteria for a claim.#

This is from a business that has fought many vehicle claims...

Has anybody got any ideas how we can pull this together... I'm willing to fight for a 12 year warranty.

Who's in?

 

[ArunAlec]

All

I have been seeking advice from a Metallurgist how says that we need to join together to fight VW.. See below the exact words..

A "class action" by a large number of vehicle owners acting simultaneously would probably be your best chance of success, as VW will simply say that you have not met the criteria for a claim.#

This is from a business that has fought many vehicle claims...

Has anybody got any ideas how we can pull this together... I'm willing to fight for a 12 year warranty.

Who's in?

I didn’t think Class Actions existed in the UK. From what I read we have a more complex process……. https://www.emmlegal.com/publications/class-actions/

 

[BEETS]

Any ideas then… ?

 

[ArunAlec]

Any ideas then… ?

To be honest I think most of us have had the corrosion issue hanging over are heads for so long that we’re resigned to the fact that it’s just a matter of time!
I’m sure there’s a member of the legal profession on here who might be able to help.

 

[BEETS]

To be honest I think most of us have had the corrosion issue hanging over are heads for so long that we’re resigned to the fact that it’s just a matter of time!
I’m sure there’s a member of the legal profession on here who might be able to help.

Yeah, good call… I’m already on my second van… my first van started to corrode within 12m… This van started after 4 years… I’m lost too without any proper legal support… I’m with the ombudsman at the moment but I need technical backup from a metallurgist to nail it down…

 

[BEETS]

All, I have just had a reply from the Ombudsman and he sounds very sympathetic to my case... He needs me collect some technical knowledge that proves that this defect was present at time of sale, ie the defect was always going to happen...

Has anyone got anything from a professional metallurgist????

 

[ArunAlec]

All, I have just had a reply from the Ombudsman and he sounds very sympathetic to my case... He needs me collect some technical knowledge that proves that this defect was present at time of sale, ie the defect was always going to happen...

Has anyone got anything from a professional metallurgist????

@SusiBus has been involved since the early days and might be able to help. I think the type of corrosion is well understood so it should be easy enough to find something on line that helps.

 

[Ben Nevis]

The ombudsman has no teeth whatsoever and will only be a complete waste of your time unless you're happy to spend endless time keeping them all happily employed all for an ultimate maximum award of £200 with no right to appeal against their final conclusion.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

The ombudsman has no teeth whatsoever and will only be a complete waste of your time unless you're happy to spend endless time keeping them all happily employed all for an ultimate maximum award of £200 with no right to appeal against their final conclusion.

I agree with you 100%. I had the same problem with a Mercedes where it had to be resprayed TWICE with back to metal resprays.The ombudsman found I had no case because Mercedes and the Mercedes paintshop didn’t refuse to do the work even though it devalued the car quite considerably. I wasn’t prepared to wait for sprayjob Number 3 so just got rid with a massive loss.

 

[BEETS]

@SusiBus has been involved since the early days and might be able to help. I think the type of corrosion is well understood so it should be easy enough to find something on line that helps.

Thanks SusiBus

I need something written by a professional that ties the defect back to manufacturing defect... I can find page after page of speculation but need something that VW cannot deny...

I am fighting for everyone who has suffered premature corrosion and want the warranty extending to 10 years..