VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[MarkW]

Re: Has anyone done the Maths

Pop up roof...


regards...

 

[smgcowfoldparts]

Re: Has anyone done the Maths

See thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=7647

Shorade have listed procedure for both repairs.

cheers

 

[SusiBus]

With regard to a posting by MarkW under "Has anyone done the maths", regarding the rubber seal, we have asked VW if they intend to change the construction of the rubber seal. If they just fit a new one of the same construction on a repaired roof (albeit with better primers) surely corrosion will return at some time because the root cause has not been addressed.

I really don't like the idea which has been reported that they are sticking the replacement seal on, supposedly to stop water ingress. The cynic in me just says is this to make it more difficult to check on what is going on underneath the seal?

If we don't hear, we will query these points when we go to VW + MK.

 

[SusiBus]

Re: Has anyone done the Maths

Hi Alex,

Please can you confirm your understanding of what the repair is for the "main" roof corrosion?

People are suggesting the main roof will be repainted but unless VW has identified (and documented) the root cause and remedy surely the corrosion will reappear?


regards...

Please see my latest posting under "Roof corrosion - latest updates"

 

[MarkW]

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the reply...

With so many vehicles suffering from the main roof (pop-up) corrosion I am surprised (and disappointed that VW have not identified and published the reason for the issue and proposed fix both for existing owners and on the factory production line.

I think many owners are cynical that the new seal and different primer is the long term fix to the issue.

The corrosion problem is also stopping prospective owners ordering a new California.

 

[Bluesea]

Hi Graham,

Thanks for the reply...

With so many vehicles suffering from the main roof (pop-up) corrosion I am surprised (and disappointed that VW have not identified and published the reason for the issue and proposed fix both for existing owners and on the factory production line.

I think many owners are cynical that the new seal and different primer is the long term fix to the issue.

The corrosion problem is also stopping prospective owners ordering a new California.

Certainly stopping us ordering a new California. Have been concerned that corrosion under the seal is present/ appearing on 2014 models . Initially VWCS were even denying there was a problem here. We were told " only a handful have been reported " Come on VW get your act together.Needs a fix in the production line.

 

[jibjab]

Hi Graham,

The corrosion problem is also stopping prospective owners ordering a new California.

True, in my case at least

 

[MarkW]

Hi Graham,

Is there any value in conducting a survey of prospective owners and how many are holding off ordering until VW has identified the root cause and remedial action for the main roof corrosion?

Would this help in your discussions with VW on behalf of current and prospective owners?

 

[Richard Goldsmith]

This is my first post. I have a 2010, silver grey, Cali, very little used and with about 12000 miles on the clock. I have checked the front panel but cannot lift the seal. There is NO trace of any blisters or paint problem. I have also checked the lifting roof. There is very slight blistering under the rubber seal on all sides but no blisters or problem visible elsewhere. Whilst I wish to protect myself against a worsening of the blistering or appearance elsewhere, and only have 2 more years of the extended warranty left, it seems premature to have the van checked now and booked for the remedial work if a problem is found. Any advice or suggestions? Thanks.

 

[aleve]

OMG my butter full 2013 expensive besie's coming down with the roof pox Booked to see the claim assessor next week to start the process as far as any repair surly if it's done by one of the mentioned repair centre then it will not change the warenty and any future illness should also be covered

 

[snowy55]

Have it checked out and put on the list. Four workshops repairing 1 a week, hundreds on the list by the time they get to yours and the early repaired ones corroding again they might start doing a proper job.

 

[Toot-toot]

We called VW care just to check we are definitely in the system ......

Number 24 + Heriatge

So at 2/3 a month - we will be all fixed this time next year !!!

 

[gingerscott]

Do you think they have made a mistake saying we are 176 in the queue? We did only have ours approved a few weeks ago?

 

[steve crowe]

Bought our van in April 2009 just booked it on Friday 22nd August at Benfield Motors in to get the corrosion assessed. Sounds like it will be a long wait to get it fixed!

 

[Andy]

Do you think they have made a mistake saying we are 176 in the queue? We did only have ours approved a few weeks ago?

No it could well be correct, there are a lot of calis with this problem.

 

[Raggedroy]

Just been told by VW that my front panel will be replaced/ repaired by Shorade and a local body shop (Peterborough) will repair my main roof.

A few weeks ago I was No.19 on the list for Shorade and now I'm told No.20. This sounds like it might take a while.

That doesn't make sense. Shorade will be removing the roof for the front panel repair so it would seem silly not to repair it properly at that point.

I'm waiting for vw to call me back as I don't understand why mine is being treated differently.

Had a long and frustrating conversation with VW customer services. Apparently my main roof section will be repaired at my local bodyshop and the front section will be replaced at Shorade. They currently can't see the logic in having them both repaired/ replaced at Shorade. The warrantee claim on the main roof section can not be changed so that it is carried out at Shorade. I have taken my California to my local bodyshop to be assessed and they also have concerns about the repair process and can't understand VW's reasoning. This evening I called customer services back to try and beg for help, this time a reasonable and sympathetic representative agreed with my logic and is going to see what he can do, not holding my breath.

No one can explain how I have moved from No.19 on the repair list to No.20 and no one can give any indication of when the front repair can be carried out.

On one hand I feel sorry for the customer services representatives as I know their hands are tied, I find it difficult to explain how I feel on the other hand.

 

[bvddobb]

I think you may have misunderstood the problem Bart.

Please, please check yours and follow up with your local VW outlet, the cost of a repair if you have to pay yourself is eye watering.

Thanks, Stu! We have an appointment next week Friday at our dealer, we will raise the issue. But I have not heard or read about any warranty/goodwill actions here in NL...

We have checked our van thoroughly together with our dealer: spoiler, roof under the rubbers, etc. No sign of corrosion!
The dealer also explained the warranty system for roof corrosion in NL. The problem is acknowledged, and the process is much like in the UK. You document the corrosion ( if it's there) together with your dealer, the dealer informs VW, and you get an acknowledgement and redirection to a specialised dealer to have it repaired. There is only one such dealer in NL, and the waiting list is approx 2 years, it seems.

 

[Dyddi]

Have just booked in at Bristol, 19 August, who told me I am in a queue of 140 vehicles, work to be done at Westbury, Wilts. Maybe in a year, maybe in a few weeks - they seemed a little unsure. Not worried as confirmed I am 'in the system' and VW will pay.

 

[steve crowe]

I have been told that VW are still just repainting the existing roof but this means they are not fixing the problem just papering over the cracks? Not happy.

 

[Raggedroy]

I have just seen the parts list for the roof corrosion repair, I didn't notice anything that related to new bellows. Could it be that they are only replaced if the original are damaged as they are removed?

 

[Californiaman]

Ours were replaced. I was told it was standard practice. The new ones appear to be a finer weave (if that is the correct term) and the windows are slightly shallower ie the gap at the bottom is bigger and the windows start slightly higher up.

 

[Derek Patton]

Chaps
I received a letter from ABCrush Panelcraft, Canterbury, Kent, confirming my claims for both the bubbling paint on the front panel and the corrosion under the rubber sealing on the roof have been Okayed by VW and I'm in their system.
Spoke to a very helpful lady called Julie, who is coordinating this process for ABCrush, and she told me I'm 78 in the queue of over 100 vehicles...so might be sorted towards the end of 2015 !!!
On more detailed discussions she told me they will replace the front panel with a new one which has been treated with a high grade zinc primer and also replace the bellows as part of the fix. Not clear why this is needed, but this is handy as my roof is also being fixed at the same time....only replace the bellows once.
Julie advised that currently they get the parts in batches of 10 and do 2 fixes per week, but could do more.
Other rate limiting reasons include reliance on the AA to do the collections and returns of both our Cali and the replacement one, and they only have 2 replacement Calis available.
Told Julie that I'd be happy without a replacement or take a car, if it was "out of camping season" and she promised to pass this suggestion onto VW.
Will be keeping in touch for updates.
Hope this helps.

 

[Meoncoast]

I am intrested to know why the bellows are replaced when the front panel is repaired is it because it has to come of and they do not want to risk putting it back on :?:

 

[Derek Patton]

God knows Andy,
We really should ask VW for a fuller explanation and I will, in the next conversation I have with ABCrush.
For the moment, I'm just content that I know what's happening to sort out the immediate problems .....with all our Calis !!!...and of course, mine in partic.......it's a big investment we've all made, and we need to make sure we get the best support from these GUARANTEES that VW gave.
It was part of the rationale when we bought our Cali and not a "conversion," and also why we need to make sure VW keep their promises.
I'm confident they will...otherwise I might be tempted onto explaining this situation via Facebook.
In the meantime, please go ahead and ask and let us know your response on this Forum ...which. in my opinion, has been absolutely fantastic......and a BIG congrats to the vwcaliforniaclub team and all the contributors to this topic.

 

[Stu]

Removing the front section involves removing the roof. Removal of the roof means replacing the bellows.