VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[WelshGas]

For all its faults at least the California Aluminium Roof doesn’t crack.

Cracked roof!

After raising the roof to do some pre trip cleaning, left the top up overnight then in the morning came back to this! On the outer lip of the roof the grp just seems to of pulled itself apart. 2017 MP, nothing obstructing, not hit anything. Clearly im horrified. Any one had a similar...

www.marcopoloownersclub.com

 

[roadrunner 45]

Hello All,

I know this is a massive subject and i would like help/advice with my van , as i am really unsure of what to do for the best.
I have owned my van for 7 years , it is 2011 , when i brought it secondhand i did not notice any damage but over the years i have noticed it gradually creeping in to the paintwork , i did take it to VW breeze in 2015 when they add me to the list for correcting the small amount of bubbling but at the time i was not too concerned and also i was scared of the update due to the horror stories i have read about other peoples van after they had the modification , so i have not progressed my fault with VW and i imagine i have lost the chance now due to the time gone past , which is my fault but now I would like to get it sorted as it is looking a lot worse.

I have the following questions which I would appreciate help with -

If i leave the problem as it is , what would happen is this a structural problem or is it more cosmetic and looks horrible with the paint coming off?

Can i approach a bodywork company to help me sort the problem and stop it getting it worse and can anyone recommend a decent company with VW California experience and i will pay myself?

Last option but would like to avoid as i do like my van , sell the California?

Below is some images to show the damage.

Thanks for your help with this difficult situation.

 

[roadrunner 45]

That's what I'd heard so looks like I'll have to find a private fix
Anyone know of good paint repair companies with aluminium experience near Essex?

Hello, did you manage to find a local company, as I have the same issue?

 

[ArunAlec]

Hello All,

I know this is a massive subject and i would like help/advice with my van , as i am really unsure of what to do for the best.
I have owned my van for 7 years , it is 2011 , when i brought it secondhand i did not notice any damage but over the years i have noticed it gradually creeping in to the paintwork , i did take it to VW breeze in 2015 when they add me to the list for correcting the small amount of bubbling but at the time i was not too concerned and also i was scared of the update due to the horror stories i have read about other peoples van after they had the modification , so i have not progressed my fault with VW and i imagine i have lost the chance now due to the time gone past , which is my fault but now I would like to get it sorted as it is looking a lot worse.

I have the following questions which I would appreciate help with -

If i leave the problem as it is , what would happen is this a structural problem or is it more cosmetic and looks horrible with the paint coming off?

Can i approach a bodywork company to help me sort the problem and stop it getting it worse and can anyone recommend a decent company with VW California experience and i will pay myself?

Last option but would like to avoid as i do like my van , sell the California?

Below is some images to show the damage.

Thanks for your help with this difficult situation.View attachment 85843View attachment 85844View attachment 85845View attachment 85846

I would (and probably will in the next few years) find a classic car restoration company, who have experience with aluminium bodywork and simply get it treated and resprayed. I would not let VW near it with an angle grinder!

 

[Ozzy Pete]

I would (and probably will in the next few years) find a classic car restoration company, who have experience with aluminium bodywork and simply get it treated and resprayed. I would not let VW near it with an angle grinder!

I would definitely go down the independent route. It may cost you a few quid but at least you know it’s been done properly and not butchered to death.

 

[sbmcd]

Does anyone have any recent experience with Audi Glasgow? Our T5.1 needs both the front cap and the under-seal work doing. I've been told they are now the only bodyshop VW van centres are allowed to use for these repairs, but previous comments about them on here are mixed / not filling me with confidence! I'm also not sure I want the van coming out of their workshop and all the way back down to the East Midlands without me looking at it first (I can see it being a pig to get it all the way back up there again if there is anything wrong, in terms of time and logistics). Thanks!

They did my roof, fitted a new seal, the repair has been fine so far but they did bond the new seal to the roof. There pros and cons to this of course, the sealant adhesive does exclude water so removes one of the essential events that cause the galvanic corrosion but it also means you cannot remove the seal to inspect it. I keep a close eye on mine around the seal edge and it's been fine so far.

 

[roadrunner 45]

I would (and probably will in the next few years) find a classic car restoration company, who have experience with aluminium bodywork and simply get it treated and resprayed. I would not let VW near it with an angle grinder!

Thanks for your reply, i agree with your view and think that is the best option , my only challenge is to try and find a good company to carry out the work. Do you know off any companies who you have heard of or where i am best to start my search?I was hoping someone on this forum might have been down this route and have some companies they have used with good results.

 

[roadrunner 45]

I would definitely go down the independent route. It may cost you a few quid but at least you know it’s been done properly and not butchered to death.

Thanks for your reply, Do you know of any companies that would be able to do the work , that is my only concern going down the independent route is that i choose a decent company to carry out the work properly.

 

[ArunAlec]

Thanks for your reply, i agree with your view and think that is the best option , my only challenge is to try and find a good company to carry out the work. Do you know off any companies who you have heard of or where i am best to start my search?I was hoping someone on this forum might have been down this route and have some companies they have used with good results.

I’ve no recommendations but when I need my roof doing I will start by contacting restorers and prestige car workshops.
Another option could be to have the front cap wrapped but I’ve had no experience of wrapping!
If anyone does find a decent workshop they could end up with a decent amount of business!

 

[BerndRos]

Just had mine done by VW……it came back with the isolite tent ripped down, the bendy light broken, the sliding hatch broken. Complained like hell and they are getting VW Hereford to fix the items.

 

[WelshGas]

Just had mine done by VW……it came back with the isolite tent ripped down, the bendy light broken, the sliding hatch broken. Complained like hell and they are getting VW Hereford to fix the items.

Who did the work?

 

[BerndRos]

Who did the work?

Claridges Bodyshop at Southport.

 

[ArunAlec]

Claridges Bodyshop at Southport.

Blimey they’ve been doing the repairs for years! You would expect them to be reasonably competent by now.

 

[Perfectos]

@calikev

this issue has been subject to tens of thousands of posts on this site, an issue that has affected the California since early production of the T5 and has Continued to be an issue for the entire production run.

This website has at least two dedicated super threads specifically related to this issue affecting T5 & T6 and many more threads and discussion on related issues such as roof seal rusting etc.

Would it possible to publish the results from the poll on the top banner of this thread please ?

ie this poll

 

[Rozzie50]

Still waiting to hear about mine. Got a letter YEARS ago. Think I won’t bother. It’s still minimal and too many horror stories.

 

[Perfectos]

Still waiting to hear about mine. Got a letter YEARS ago. Think I won’t bother. It’s still minimal and too many horror stories.

Did you have your Roof seal inspected ?
have you had the roof seal replaced after the corrosion was identified?

 

[Rozzie50]

Did you have your Roof seal inspected ?
have you had the roof seal replaced after the corrosion was identified?

No. Nothing has been inspected or completed. It was identified. I reported it. Got a letter in 2014 I think. Have heard nothing since.

 

[Perfectos]

For reference

Avoiding roof corrosion?

The roof is aluminium the top part og the van it bolts to is aluminium so no point the corrosion is caused by the steel strip in the rubber seal rusting and reacting with the aluminium roof Only way is to remove roof seal altogether.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Ozzy Pete]

No. Nothing has been inspected or completed. It was identified. I reported it. Got a letter in 2014 I think. Have heard nothing since.

Have you checked the roof yourself to see if you have any corrosion?

 

[Tactical]

Hi @skipp-e

Regarding your 2019 post:

Hi Guys, My pride and joy (2015 Cali SE) went off to the VW body shop at Twickenham in January to have the roof rot sorted and was returned two months later in march. On collecting my Cali from the local VW van centre I went through a handover with the van centre Warranty Manager, we were both horrified by the condition the Cali had been returned in.

1, Damaged bellows. Both nearside bellows battens had been bent inwards at some point above the flexi joint leaving support battens deformed, Swarf marks to the inside and outside of the bellows.

2, Swarf hand marks inside of popup roof lining.
...

I am in a similar position, with a series of defects caused by the Twickenham body shop and am about to tackle VW Customer Services.

I'm interested to know whether your case was resolved to your satisfaction?

 

[Dyddi]

You've started me whimpering again.
Original front roof blistering was dealt with after two years. But, two years after that repair the replacement panel had sprung open and rain made its way to the front footwells. Assuming VW would be keen to correct the original poor repair I took the van into the local dealer and suggested it be kept under cover while waiting for remedy. Five months later (just as well I had access to a runaround car) my beloved van was returned. I lost count of the times I phoned the dealer, HQ customer services and anybody else who would listen. One HQ spokesperson sent me a gift of wine cheese and biscuits 'for the delay' but absolutely no sign of anyone wishing to put right their own poor workmanship. When. eventually, it was returned: hole in bellows, 'missing' magnetic GB plate, clear evidence that the flooring had been soaked - swollen and discoloured- but no sign of service to the customer. i won't go back - they've won. Good luck. (2012 Beach)

 

[BEETS]

Hi @skipp-e

Regarding your 2019 post:



I am in a similar position, with a series of defects caused by the Twickenham body shop and am about to tackle VW Customer Services.

I'm interested to know whether your case was resolved to your satisfaction?

Mine goes in on the 9th of Feb…. I’m going to do visual inspection when I hand them the keys and ask them to sign… give them a taste of their own medicine…

 

[Tactical]

I took photos of everything before it went in.

I created a before and after report clearly showing the faults caused during the repair

 

[skipp-e]

Hi @skipp-e

Regarding your 2019 post:



I am in a similar position, with a series of defects caused by the Twickenham body shop and am about to tackle VW Customer Services.

I'm interested to know whether your case was resolved to your satisfaction?

Hi tactical, Unfortunately not. I raised the issues with the Motor ombudsmen, but never really had evidence to prove the body shop did the damage. VW claimed the damage was nothing to do with the body shop and the belows have a limited life and do need replacing occasionally( although my Cali was only 2 years old at the time) but the ombudsmen did conclude the swarf marks and hand prints were likely caused by the body shop so he insisted they had the effected areas cleaned. After about two years my local VW dealer eventually paid me £200.

Good luck with your case

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Hi tactical, Unfortunately not. I raised the issues with the Motor ombudsmen, but never really had evidence to prove the body shop did the damage. VW claimed the damage was nothing to do with the body shop and the belows have a limited life and do need replacing occasionally( although my Cali was only 2 years old at the time) but the ombudsmen did conclude the swarf marks and hand prints were likely caused by the body shop so he insisted they had the effected areas cleaned. After about two years my local VW dealer eventually paid me £200.

Good luck with your case

The ombudsman is not set up to help the customer it’s there to protect businesses. I had a problem with a Mercedes that suffered from micro blistering and had to have a full back to metal respray “TWICE” . I argued that the vehicle had been devalued greatly because I would never be able to sell it privately. I mean come on who would want to buy a 4 year old car that had been resprayed TWICE. They disagreed it wasn’t the dealers fault because they hadn’t refused to do the work and disagreed it would devalue the vehicle. I got nowhere and it was a total waste of time. I wish I hadn’t bothered and I wouldn’t again.