Pop up roof losing tension

simplybikes · Jun 20, 2015

Hi folks.....I wonder has anybody had or come across this issue. My pop up roof has started to loose tension (sag) on the right hand side after quite a short period of time when open. It does say in the manual that it can happen after 2 or 3 days when left open and that it is a design feature. My issue is that it is happening to mine anywhere between 12 and 24 hours. To re-tension it all you do is close and open again so no big deal but it would strike me that 12 hours is a bit short. My cali is 2006 so is no spring chicken so I'm wondering is it just an age thing and the hydraulics need to be looked at.
Your views would be welcome.

AlanC · Jun 20, 2015

I would suggest that it is an age issue.
After 9 years things are bound to be wearing out.

Alan

KP01 · Jun 20, 2015

simplybikes said:
Hi folks.....I wonder has anybody had or come across this issue. My pop up roof has started to loose tension (sag) on the right hand side after quite a short period of time when open. It does say in the manual that it can happen after 2 or 3 days when left open and that it is a design feature. My issue is that it is happening to mine anywhere between 12 and 24 hours. To re-tension it all you do is close and open again so no big deal but it would strike me that 12 hours is a bit short. My cali is 2006 so is no spring chicken so I'm wondering is it just an age thing and the hydraulics need to be looked at.
Your views would be welcome.

My brand new vehicle had a similar issue - but it sagged almost as soon as it was opened. It went back to the dealer for a fairly complex repair, covered under warranty. Obviously, I can't diagnose your problem from here but I would imagine that you'd need to visit a dealer or roof specialist. It might be a costly repair but if you mess up the roof, hinges and struts with a DIY job, it might prove far more costly.

Hotel California · Jun 20, 2015

If the roof should drop / losing pressure the system is gonne re-push the roof back up to max height . It goes automaticly , you just hear the pump working for a few seconds.
Afther a periode of 10 to 12 hours afther the last time the contact is switched off ,
but if you use your radio during that periode our for any reason turn the key in the contact it starts counting from zero back....
This i never expirienced but dealer told me so afther questiont him about it.
It it not uncommon roofs dropping on Cali's but if it happens frequent best bring it to your dealer for a check-up

teeboy · Jun 21, 2015

I had a problem with one of the hydralic rams when the van was nearly new, but this would lead to a drop in minutes rather than hours.Probably like KP01.

It might be worth simply checking the hydralic fluid, you may have had a very slight leak over the years. That would be the simple fix, then get the rams checked (but like I say if they are faulty then the droop is much quicker), then finally the pump (which will be a big job - in which case just ignore it!)

T

teeboy · Jun 21, 2015

Actually I have just had a look at the training manual (in the download section) and it is not obvious how you check the fluid level....

I know the new rams come pre-filled with fluid so maybe it is not a simple as checking a reservoir :-(

Hotel California · Jun 21, 2015

The reservoir is located behind the control panel ....not an easy acces

simplybikes · Jun 21, 2015

Folks....many thanks for the replies. My first thought was a fluid issue like suggested. I'm going to monitor this for a while and then bring to the dealer as I had the roof done recently and I'm thinking that this may have something to do with it. I know the newer Calis have some sort of auto tensioning system but my 2006 doesn't have this. Thank again, great support as always.

simplybikes · Jun 21, 2015

hotel california....how did you find that nugget of info (The reservoir is located behind the control panel)?

Hotel California · Jun 21, 2015

simplybikes said:
hotel california....how did you find that nugget of info (The reservoir is located behind the control panel)?

By visiting my dealer in the Netherlands who had given us a insight on diffrent things about the Cali .
Check out the sticky tread in the technical part of the forum....

simplybikes · Jun 21, 2015

many thanks

aileron346 · Jul 5, 2015

Ours occasionally re-tensions - the first time it was a bit frightening for my daughter who was on the roof-bed and thought it was going to squish her! To avoid any risk of it waking us up, we've taken to lowering the roof a touch and then putting it up again just before going to sleep. But would be keen to avoid this, especially to avoid switching the ignition on (and hence the sidelights) late at night.
So...that's an interesting thought above on using the radio to ensure 10 hours before a re-tension. As it's not in the manual, can anyone confirm that works?