Fresh water tank diagram

StephenH · Jul 13, 2015

Hello

I have searched all morning for a diagram showing how the fresh water tank in the Cali is mounted. No luck. The link from VW CS to the technical manual doesn't work: www.erwin.volkswagen.de

Does anyone know where I can get a diagram or manual? My water tank has become loose on it's mountings and I want to see if I can tighten them up because the noise from the tank is pretty bad. I've jammed in some cloths to take the worst of the squeaking and rattling away but I'm fighting a losing battle.

My Cali is still under warranty but I've had such bad experiences with Edinburgh van centre that I don't want to take it back to them. I had my last service done in Aberdeen and they were OK but they no longer contact me either despite emailing and calling them several times. I'm looking for another van centre. There is one in Glasgow but I'm worried to take it any where else until I get some recommendations, VWCS don't seem to be able to offer anything beyond the company line: "All our technicians are trained to the highest standards etc. etc."

Well, denting the tailgate while changing a light, burning the interior trim... neglecting to reconnect wires, giving me my van back with a roof full of water that landed on my head when I drove away - if these are the highest standards, I'm really wondering what happens when I run into a mediocre or low standard technician.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Cheers - Steve

barry · Jul 13, 2015

I've only dealt with Edinburgh on the phone and found them helpful and informed. I use the Glasgow place at Bailieston - it used to be Verve but they went to the wall and it's now someone else 0141 290 0995 (just a few hundred yards off the M8). They kept the same technical staff when they took over.
They've done my servicing etc for the last few years and it's been fine in so far as I've been able to judge.
Being just off the motorway is handy although that's not necessarily the best of criteria.

StephenH · Jul 13, 2015

Hi Barry

Thank you for the reply. I'm now willing to travel quite far to get a good van centre. Unfortunately my experience of Edinburgh Van Centre has been very different from yours. I don't think they have dealt with many California's. Mine was the first roof they changed. They didn't seal it and when they washed it, it flooded and the roof space was full of water. For me, not checking that the roof is water tight before handing back to the customer is not informed. Further, damaging the bodywork by prying trim panels off with a bent screwdriver and damaging the body and paintwork is not helpful, it's completely careless. I have had problems with every repair they have carried out. They deal with builders vans and feet vehicles, this is their bread and butter work and they don't take care of private vehicles. I will never take my Cali back to Edinburgh ever again. I gave them many chances and they messed it up every time. They messed up reconnecting the control panel so that the heater didn't work and I had to waste more time going back. They messed up an interior trim panel when carrying out the roof repair. They've had me in and out when they haven't ordered the part they promised they would in advance, wasting my time. Once when I arrived, one of their staff said in a sarcastic tone to his colleague, look who it is, it's Dr Hallsworth. Completely unprofessional. They are a running joke in my office. In the end, when I had to call them, the boys in my office would sing the Laurel and Hardy theme tune.

My advice would be to avoid them. I used to avoid naming them on this forum but now I don't care - I'm still furious with them, can you tell?

Steve

barry · Jul 13, 2015

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StephenH said:
Hi Barry

Thank you for the reply. I'm now willing to travel quite far to get a good van centre. Unfortunately my experience of Edinburgh Van Centre has been very different from yours. I don't think they have dealt with many California's. Mine was the first roof they changed. They didn't seal it and when they washed it, it flooded and the roof space was full of water. For me, not checking that the roof is water tight before handing back to the customer is not informed. Further, damaging the bodywork by prying trim panels off with a bent screwdriver and damaging the body and paintwork is not helpful, it's completely careless. I have had problems with every repair they have carried out. They deal with builders vans and feet vehicles, this is their bread and butter work and they don't take care of private vehicles. I will never take my Cali back to Edinburgh ever again. I gave them many chances and they messed it up every time. They messed up reconnecting the control panel so that the heater didn't work and I had to waste more time going back. They messed up an interior trim panel when carrying out the roof repair. They've had me in and out when they haven't ordered the part they promised they would in advance, wasting my time. Once when I arrived, one of their staff said in a sarcastic tone to his colleague, look who it is, it's Dr Hallsworth. Completely unprofessional. They are a running joke in my office. In the end, when I had to call them, the boys in my office would sing the Laurel and Hardy theme tune.

My advice would be to avoid them. I used to avoid naming them on this forum but now I don't care - I'm still furious with them, can you tell?

Steve

Wow. This is indeed bad. Criminal, in fact. Thanks for the head up.
I think there's a thread on this forum somewhere that's designed to identify the good and the bad.
Maybe you should post on there?
Good luck if you go to the Glasgow boys.

Hotel California · Jul 13, 2015

Scary to hear your experinces ....
But think as long the Cali is in warrenty it is best not do much hassle yourself , they may as wel tell you aftherwarts that it is your fault things have gone wrong and pull your warrenty ....
Search for a good VW dealer with Cali experience , myself i drive from Antwerp ( Belgium) to Amersfoort (Netherlands) , a +100km drive one way .
Think in Belgium NO VW dealer has the Cali- knowledge that they should have , heard some stories from others and myself was pretty supprised about how litlle info i got when bought my new Cali at the biggest VW dealer in Antwerp.
This is not a common vehicle for most VW mecanics , at least not everything behind the front seats backwarts....

smgcowfoldparts · Jul 15, 2015

Hi Steve

Have a look at this. This is the picture we get in parts of the fresh water tank system.

StephenH · Jul 15, 2015

Hi Steve

Thanks for the diagram. I think I understand the mounting a little better now. I'm guessing that the T-bolt (32) plays a part in holding the tank down and perhaps (42) is also a mounting bolt. I removed the gas cylinder and the T bolt can be wiggled by hand so there must be a nut underneath the van (under the black panel) that can be tightened. I'm still waiting to hear back from VWCC. I've only seen a couple of threads about the squeaking water tank so I guess it's not a common issue. Some have suggested a PTFE spray such as GT85. I haven't tried that yet.

Cheers - Steve

snowy55 · Jul 15, 2015

When you say T bolt 32 do you mean 36? If so the T bolt 36 is part of the gas drop out safety device and should be loose.

StephenH · Jul 15, 2015

Ah yes - thanks - I meant 36. I will leave that alone then. I haven't touched anything - I'm waiting the hear from VWCC

pingpal6 · Jul 19, 2015

StephenH said:
Hi Barry

Thank you for the reply. I'm now willing to travel quite far to get a good van centre. Unfortunately my experience of Edinburgh Van Centre has been very different from yours. I don't think they have dealt with many California's. Mine was the first roof they changed. They didn't seal it and when they washed it, it flooded and the roof space was full of water. For me, not checking that the roof is water tight before handing back to the customer is not informed. Further, damaging the bodywork by prying trim panels off with a bent screwdriver and damaging the body and paintwork is not helpful, it's completely careless. I have had problems with every repair they have carried out. They deal with builders vans and feet vehicles, this is their bread and butter work and they don't take care of private vehicles. I will never take my Cali back to Edinburgh ever again. I gave them many chances and they messed it up every time. They messed up reconnecting the control panel so that the heater didn't work and I had to waste more time going back. They messed up an interior trim panel when carrying out the roof repair. They've had me in and out when they haven't ordered the part they promised they would in advance, wasting my time. Once when I arrived, one of their staff said in a sarcastic tone to his colleague, look who it is, it's Dr Hallsworth. Completely unprofessional. They are a running joke in my office. In the end, when I had to call them, the boys in my office would sing the Laurel and Hardy theme tune.

My advice would be to avoid them. I used to avoid naming them on this forum but now I don't care - I'm still furious with them, can you tell?

Steve

Hi Steve, sorry to here of all the problems you have experienced but are you talking about the Edinburgh Van Centre at Bilston Edinburgh?
I have dealt with them in the past and have been completely satisfied with the work they have carried out. This was warranty work and general servicing. When someone ran into my van which caused front end damage they directed me to Specialist Volkswagen in Kirkcaldy who did the repairs. They informed me they did not carry out body repairs. I also am awaiting the roof being repaired and although I stay in Edinburgh Benfield in Newcastle are the nearest approved repairers who will be doing the repair. I was unaware that the Edinburgh Van Centre carried out body repairs or were on the list of approved roof repairers

StephenH · Jul 19, 2015

Hi Pingpal

I wish I had gone somewhere else for the roof repairs. Too late now. I was happy with the Van Centre in Aberdeen (Dyce). They are the same chain as the Bilston centre (Clark) but they seemed a lot better. I guess different peoples' experiences will vary and the quality of work will depend on the technician who does the repairs on the day. I paid a lot of money to Bilston though for a new California and part of that sum is for the warranty. They should have told me that they couldn't do the roof repair and not messed it up and they shouldn't be giving me my van back with more damage than it went in with. Good luck with your roof repair.

Cheers - Steve

pingpal6 · Jul 19, 2015

StephenH said:
Hi Pingpal

I wish I had gone somewhere else for the roof repairs. Too late now. I was happy with the Van Centre in Aberdeen (Dyce). They are the same chain as the Bilston centre (Clark) but they seemed a lot better. I guess different peoples' experiences will vary and the quality of work will depend on the technician who does the repairs on the day. I paid a lot of money to Bilston though for a new California and part of that sum is for the warranty. They should have told me that they couldn't do the roof repair and not messed it up and they shouldn't be giving me my van back with more damage than it went in with. Good luck with your roof repair.

Cheers - Steve

Thanks Steve I was no 44 on the list so hoping to have the roof done by the end of the year. Hope you find a garage that suits and you still enjoy the California