VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[Joss Apps]

Thanks for your help..

 

[Hotel California]

I thought the front panel unit's corrosion was also related to its aluminium construction sitting on steel, therefore setting-up bi-metallic corrosion?? (hence one repair method was to raise if from the steel with a spacer?).

If so, this seems an odd method of repair, as the original cause remains.
Any returning corrosion will just be hidden beneath the plastic cap, until one morning you go out to your Cali and just find a small blob of fizzing metal on the ground where you'd left it!

It would be helpful, and would build better relationships if VW were willing to disclose a little more, explaining how this changes things, in the hope of rebuilding confidence.

On page 130 almost below the info i got from a very welknown dealer in the Netherlands who's got very good connections with the factory....

 

[Hulky]

Advise please

After reading this thread I had a look at roof front panel and noticed a few bubbles and lacker peeling.So contacted the be dealer it was bought from to ask them if it has had any warranty work done on it and it did in 2012.
They told me to take it to my local vw van centre in Newcastle.after a look they said it would not be covered as the warranty for roof panel is only 6 years but said they would send photos of to vw and see what they say ?
The vehicle is 8 years old and I thought it would be covered under the corrosion warranty I believe is 12 years

 

[SusiBus]

Back in 2012 the official VW repair was to rub down the roof and respray, which obviously was not a satisfactory repair because as you have experienced the corrosion will return, and this is why after a battle it was established to completely change the front panel, inserting a barrier between the original Steel roof and the aluminium box section.

There are two warranties, paintwork, which is 3 years, and bodywork which is 12 years. Bodywork is for thru corrosion i.e .a hole ! VW extended the paintwork warranty for the roof for California owners to 6 years, beyond that you won't have any luck, asked John Towers who has fought this battle for a long time.

Sorry this is not what you want to hear.

 

[RonB]

As HC says: clean the rubber frequently (be careful, though: some dealers have glued the rubber with kit on the roof; do not open this, as it will pull off the lacquer under the rubber seal).

I have just had my 2013 Cali's elevating roof treated and resprayed in Kirkcaldy and noticed that the new rubber seal seems to be a slightly different construction to previous (deep and rigid band at top with rounded soft area at foot where it meets to seal with the lower roof). It appears to be very well fixed and would be difficult to remove and re-examine for bubbles in the future. Is this because it is glued as per Marc's comment above?

 

[georgemojo]

My 2014 Cali goes in for the elevating roof repair tomorrow (Monday) in Exeter - told it will take a week. Nothing from the dealer to say whether they'll be replacing the roof bellows. Wonder if it's worth delaying it if VW are coming up with new repair systems?

 

[SusiBus]

"VW comeing up with a new repair system" or GOING BROKE !
I hope not because SusiBus T6 Mk2 is on order.

The new repair system only appears to involve the front box section. One thing that might change in the future ( hopefully) is a new rubber seal without the metal insert or better isolation between the seal and the roof, or perhaps it has already been changed, I don't know whether anyone knows if the seal has been modified?

 

[patnolan]

Hi all

I've just had a call from the garage due to carry out my roof repair next month after a 2 year wait to now say that it can't be carried out as VW are changing the recall/repair process as from the 1 August and that I would need to return to my VW dealer to start the process
all over again and that VW customer services should have notified me in a letter. Anybody else had this?

Not happy

Cheers

Steve

Has anyone else had this email?? Reviewed rhis morning. Very disappointing!

Dear Mr Chapman

It is with much regret that I have to cancel your booking on 18th August for your warranty repair.

Unfortunately, Volkswagen UK have decided from 1st August 2016 the repair method and administration for the warranty repair will change. Should you require any clarification on this, please could I ask you to speak to your van centre or VW customer Services on 0800 333666.

I can only apologise Mr Chapman on behalf of Volkswagen for the inconvenience caused.

Hi all
I got the same letter. Disgraceful, 3 years waiting down the pan. I spoke to VW Customer Services, told me to go back to SMG and get it "booked in again" as their new policy was to have the work done nearer to customer's home, what a laugh, A B Crush are just down the road from me and I even told them that I didn't need a replacement vehicle. We even changed our holiday schedule to allow the repair work to be done in Sept.
I was due to order a new T6 2 seater Beach next month as I had a buyer for mine subject to the roof repair work being done.

 

[snowy55]

"VW comeing up with a new repair system" or GOING BROKE !
I hope not because SusiBus T6 Mk2 is on order.

The new repair system only appears to involve the front box section. One thing that might change in the future ( hopefully) is a new rubber seal without the metal insert or better isolation between the seal and the roof, or perhaps it has already been changed, I don't know whether anyone knows if the seal has been modified?

Ours came back on Friday from Shorades after having both parts redone and I can confirm that the perimeter seal on the raising section of the roof is still magnetic.

 

[georgemojo]

Ours came back on Friday from Shorades after having both parts redone and it can confirm that the perimeter seal on the raising section of the roof is still magnetic.

And have you got new roof bellows?

 

[SusiBus]

I was told by VW that no one would loose their place in the queue, it could only come forward due to there now being more workshops doing the new repair. Insist that they honour your original booking.

As an aside, we had SusiBusT5 repaired at A B Crush, we thought they were brilliant.

 

[Meoncoast]

we had SusiBusT5 repaired at A B Crush, we thought they were brilliant.

ditto

 

[snowy55]

And have you got new roof bellows?

It is fitted with the new style lighter material bellows.

 

[georgemojo]

Went to check on Betsy today at the Exeter bodyshop, just the elevating roof corrosion repairs being done (see attached pics). Nick, the service manager, explained that the roof panel would be rubbed down to the metal, then repainted and a wax protection substance put around the edges before replacing the rubber seal around the outside. The rubber will not be stuck down so I guess it will be easier to check if the bubbling returns. They managed to get the roof canvas off in one piece without tearing it and intend putting that back on and not replacing it with the new T6 version. It's not a good feeling seeing the roof of your Cali separated from the main vehicle. Hope to pick her up at the end of the week - all in one piece!

 

[patnolan]

Hi all
I got the same letter. Disgraceful, 3 years waiting down the pan. I spoke to VW Customer Services, told me to go back to SMG and get it "booked in again" as their new policy was to have the work done nearer to customer's home, what a laugh, A B Crush are just down the road from me and I even told them that I didn't need a replacement vehicle. We even changed our holiday schedule to allow the repair work to be done in Sept.
I was due to order a new T6 2 seater Beach next month as I had a buyer for mine subject to the roof repair work being done.

It gets worse, I contacted SMG Tonbrbridge who tell me that they have to resubmit the claim through one of their systems to make the claim live again.

 

[SusiBus]

I contacted VW to try to get more info on the “new improved repair” but they don't seem to want to talk to me on behalf of the Forum, who can blame them! but they said owners should contact their dealer who are well informed on the situation. I received the following email which basically is a repeat of Martin's previous post.

“I understand you have concerns regarding the new Factory approved repair method that has been developed to deal with a paintdefect affecting a number of California T5 vehicles. I would like to reassure you that we will work with our customers to ensurethat any inconvenience is minimised.Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are currently contacting customers in writing to explain the new repair method and to provide alist of bodyshops that can carry out the new repair.The new repair method is far less invasive than its predecessor, as it no longer involves the stripping back of roof parts toreplace the vehicle's front panel (RCBR) unit.The new repair simply involves the removal of the affected section of the roof, and the addition of a zinc-rich primer toprevent any reoccurrence of further corrosion, with a polyurethane cap being bonded to completely cover the old unit.The Brand's newly-implemented repair method is preferable to the earlier repair, as it reduces the usual roof-restorationtimescale from more than a week to just under two days. Please note, no California models built after 2013 are affected by theissue.I hope my response gives you a satisfactory response to your query regarding the new repair method"

I have previously been informed that no owner should have to wait longer for their vehicle repair, only come forward due to there now being more body shops able to carry out the new repair.

I'm interested in,
1 How the time scale has been so dramatically reduced for the repair?
2 Does this mean that the front box section is now not being removed?
3 If it's not removed, what happens to the source of the corrosion within the box section?
4 What is the finish on the PU cap going to be like?
5 Is the PU cap clear or colour matched?

It will be good if some members can glean information from their body shop once the new repairs start. I am looking forward to some pics being posted, and really hope that this does mean we've got an improved repair, not just a cheap cover up, and owners can now get their vehicles repaired within a sensible time scale.

 

[jts46]

I contacted VW to try to get more info on the “new improved repair” but they don't seem to want to talk to me on behalf of the Forum, who can blame them! but they said owners should contact their dealer who are well informed on the situation. I received the following email which basically is a repeat of Martin's previous post.

“I understand you have concerns regarding the new Factory approved repair method that has been developed to deal with a paintdefect affecting a number of California T5 vehicles. I would like to reassure you that we will work with our customers to ensurethat any inconvenience is minimised.Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are currently contacting customers in writing to explain the new repair method and to provide alist of bodyshops that can carry out the new repair.The new repair method is far less invasive than its predecessor, as it no longer involves the stripping back of roof parts toreplace the vehicle's front panel (RCBR) unit.The new repair simply involves the removal of the affected section of the roof, and the addition of a zinc-rich primer toprevent any reoccurrence of further corrosion, with a polyurethane cap being bonded to completely cover the old unit.The Brand's newly-implemented repair method is preferable to the earlier repair, as it reduces the usual roof-restorationtimescale from more than a week to just under two days. Please note, no California models built after 2013 are affected by theissue.I hope my response gives you a satisfactory response to your query regarding the new repair method"

I have previously been informed that no owner should have to wait longer for their vehicle repair, only come forward due to there now being more body shops able to carry out the new repair.

I'm interested in,
1 How the time scale has been so dramatically reduced for the repair?
2 Does this mean that the front box section is now not being removed?
3 If it's not removed, what happens to the source of the corrosion within the box section?
4 What is the finish on the PU cap going to be like?
5 Is the PU cap clear or colour matched?

It will be good if some members can glean information from their body shop once the new repairs start. I am looking forward to some pics being posted, and really hope that this does mean we've got an improved repair, not just a cheap cover up, and owners can now get their vehicles repaired within a sensible time scale.

'm interested in,
1 How the time scale has been so dramatically reduced for the repair?
2 Does this mean that the front box section is now not being removed?
3 If it's not removed, what happens to the source of the corrosion within the box section?
4 What is the finish on the PU cap going to be like?
5 Is the PU cap clear or colour matched?

Does this mean i can buy this cover/cap?

 

[Pineweasel]

1 How the time scale has been so dramatically reduced for the repair?
2 Does this mean that the front box section is now not being removed?
3 If it's not removed, what happens to the source of the corrosion within the box section?
4 What is the finish on the PU cap going to be like?
5 Is the PU cap clear or colour matched?

It's much quicker because it is an in place repair to the front section, which doesn't require the extensive dismantling of the roof. I think VW have judged that ultimately, this is a just cosmetic issue. The corrosion isn't a structural problem, but something that merely affects the appearance of the front section by causing the paint to bubble and fall off. I don't know if corrosion underneath the roof section is a problem at all.

I'm in two minds about this. I can see the attraction of not having the front section de-bonded and replaced, but I would like to see some examples of the new repair.

I'm sure they can do a good job of producing colour matched PU cap, after all quite a few bits of the bodywork are already colour matched plastic.

There are some photos of the cap repair on the caliboard.de forum but you have to join up to see them. It looks like a decent job to me.

 

[Andy]

Is this new repair being done in Germany & the rest of Europe ? Or is it a vwcv UK devised repair ?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[snowy55]

Please note, no California models built after 2013 are affected by theissue.

I would argue with that statement.

Our Cali has just come back from it's second raising roof repaint and it's front panel first replacement.
Production date 13 Feb 2014.

 

[SusiBus]

Not what we want to hear, because I really hoped it was cured, because if not, has anything else been done to stop it occurring to the T6’s?

Snowy, did yours have the insulating gasket between the two metals which was introduced from March 2013?

One good thing with the “new improved roof repair” as John Towers has raised is that those who don’t report their roof corrosion within six years, and have been left to corrode outside the extended goodwill warranty, have now a possible remedy with the PU cap. Good luck with that one John.

 

[snowy55]

Snowy, did yours have the insulating gasket between the two metals which was introduced from March 2013?

Yes, I think it did have the insulating gasket, you could feel something "squishy" between the body and the cap when I pushed a credit card in the gap.

 

[greenfintry]

Is it possible for the forum moderators/chair to contact VWCS about this issue. It is frankly ridiculous: this will be the 5th time I have had to submit my roof details and 4 years since it was first logged. They are just taking the p*** at this stage. I am going to phone VWCS on Monday as I have had nothing through officially but have letters from VW assuring me that the work will be done. My next phone call will be to Which Consumers Association of which I am a member, looking for advice for legal action. We would be better doing this as a group, but as it is 120 miles round trip to my local dealer, this is getting quite out of hand.

 

[SusiBus]

Greenfintry,

PM me with your with your phone number (preferably landline) and we can have a chat before you call VW on Monday.

 

[Tetley2]

The original bellows were re fitted to my vehicle and you cannot tell so I would not worry.
I was actually relieved as I prefer the T5 bellows.