Discussion regarding T6 ONLY roof corrosion

[flying banana]

After 18 months of trouble free ownership I noticed this last week. Worth checking yours if you have the protective strip installed from the factory which I think is most T6’s. It’s in with Tonbridge (who have been excellent generally) for warrantee repair. They have advised that it needs to be sent to a body shop. Does anyone know which body shop in the south east has the best reputation for fixing roof issues?
All the best

View attachment 36407

What's that tape for there on the front edge. Mines come off also. Same side

 

[SusiBus]

Stoneybroke,
Thanks for posting your reply from VW.
I think that all California's under warranty not having the tape already fitted ought to be recalled to have the Magic Tape put on considering the history of this problem and the cost of repairs, it would seem only right that they should be proactive in making this decision.
After all, back in August 2014 VW wrote to the forum saying "In an effort to offer our customers peace of mind we took the decision to offer an additional three years good will extending the terms of the protection from three years to six", five years on, owners are still struggling to obtain peace of mind!

 

[Jon]

Just had my 2016 into the dealer for the corrosion check. They found a couple of small spots, each halfway down both side. VW authoritised the rub down, treatment and repaint then and there so all sorted in one trip. "Foil" has also been applied. Sounds standard compared with others peoples stories.

Also, add a bit more to stoneybrookes story, asked them to look at the paint being rubbed away on the cone/cap/valence and have set the request off to VW for approval. They expect it will be approved and need to go to an approved bodyshop (which is luckily next door to the dealer!)

Cheers, Jon.

 

[Kerry Loveluck]

T6 corrosion issue dealt with at VW Commercial Centre Swansea.
Body shop Manager very helpful when dropping the van off. Attached photos of work carried out.

 

[MrsW]

We can be added to the list........

Having called previously to be told there was no recall on our vehicle, I find today when taking her in for the first MOT there has been a recall since Jan , although I had asked for a corrosion check anyway.

As per Jon’s experience, we had 2 areas of corrosion below the seal so all sorted in one visit - she says with everything crossed.

I did ask what the current wait time is for a more extensive body shop repair and the next availability is Nov 2020.

They also said they were not aware of an official warranty extension for the T6s.

On a positive........ she passed the MOT!

 

[nutty123]

Hi Everybody
Iv just had a roof recall regarding our 2016 California ocean, regarding rust. Returning bact to pick my Cali up they announced it does have rust and there could be up to 2 years to do the treatment?? Wow

 

[nutty123]

As i have mentioned in a thread that my cali t6 California 2016 has been recalled, and they have found rust they have informed me it could take upto 2 years to be done ???? Would imagine the roof would have fallen in by then, bit extreme i know. Carl

 

[Digger]

If mine were to suffer this fault I would have the area below the trim painted with load liner paint. That would make a permanent impenetrable barrier.

 

[Bramble]

Nope. Paint has definitely gone on white areas. Currently with VW, via dealer, to establish what's happened and, hopefully, sort it out.

Did you get this issue resolved? What was the solution? I've found the same issue on my 2017 Ocean. Looks like the rubber has worn off the paint over time. Waiting on a slot to take into the dealer

 

[Volkywagen]

Did you get this issue resolved? What was the solution? I've found the same issue on my 2017 Ocean. Looks like the rubber has worn off the paint over time. Waiting on a slot to take into the dealer

Shouldn’t yours have the tape/foil from factory?

 

[Stoneybroke]

Did you get this issue resolved? What was the solution? I've found the same issue on my 2017 Ocean. Looks like the rubber has worn off the paint over time. Waiting on a slot to take into the dealer

Yes, dealer approached VWCS and the factory, they agreed it was a warranty issue and that the roof had been misaligned. The roof was repositioned and the area where the paint had been rubbed off repainted.

 

[Sp0_0k]

Anybody knows the case of the roof corroding to the point of no usability? Just wondering if all this messing around is worth it. Not that vw is very reliable vehicle with no other drivetrain issues to spend time on

 

[Bramble]

Yes, dealer approached VWCS and the factory, they agreed it was a warranty issue and that the roof had been misaligned. The roof was repositioned and the area where the paint had been rubbed off repainted.

Thanks interesting, the dealer replaced the lifting struts within the first year because they became very rusty. They've been ok since. I wonder if this caused the problem. Its both sides so perhaps the roof is too far forward.

 

[Bramble]

Thanks interesting, the dealer replaced the lifting struts within the first year because they became very rusty. They've been ok since. I wonder if this caused the problem. Its both sides so perhaps the roof is too far forward.

 

[Stoneybroke]

Thanks interesting, the dealer replaced the lifting struts within the first year because they became very rusty. They've been ok since. I wonder if this caused the problem. Its both sides so perhaps the roof is too far forward.

View attachment 45386

Yes, to far forward was the diagnosis for mine. They moved it back as there is some latitude on the scissor hinge mounts.

 

[WelshGas]

Anybody knows the case of the roof corroding to the point of no usability? Just wondering if all this messing around is worth it. Not that vw is very reliable vehicle with no other drivetrain issues to spend time on

As far as I am aware it is Cosmetic rather than Structural damage. I’ve not seen any reports, anywhere, of the roof becoming structurally unsound.
Personally if I had this problem, and after hearing some of the horror stories, I would find a Body Shop/Paint sprayer that specialised in vintage vehicles and bespoke paint jobs to repair and repaint and if they cannot match the colour go for a contrast instead. At least then you get a descent guarantee as You are the Customer rather than this ridiculous blame game between the Dealership/Body Shop and VWCS when something goes wrong.

 

[iamchucky]

Took our van in for the roof tape fix. Inspecting the van on collection I found that the rubber seal didn't seem to be fitting as flush as it was on the front edge. I queried this and my concern was that water would sit under the seal, however I was advised that this wasn't an issue and fitting was ok. Not so sure myself and so thought I'd share photo and gain comments before going back to them again.

Also was a new seal to be fitted - after cleaning the van at the weekend I'm fairly sure it's the same rubber seal that's been used and so assuming this is correct?

 

[Volkywagen]

Took our van in for the roof tape fix. Inspecting the van on collection I found that the rubber seal didn't seem to be fitting as flush as it was on the front edge. I queried this and my concern was that water would sit under the seal, however I was advised that this wasn't an issue and fitting was ok. Not so sure myself and so thought I'd share photo and gain comments before going back to them again.

Also was a new seal to be fitted - after cleaning the van at the weekend I'm fairly sure it's the same rubber seal that's been used and so assuming this is correct?

View attachment 45514

View attachment 45515

I had my seal replaced a few moths ago and have noticed mine also sits like this. I’ve put it down to newness.
Best way of quickly testing of it is a new seal is to throw water on it. It if runs off the seal like it’s newly waxed then it will be new.

 

[ArunAlec]

Doesn’t look right to me.

 

[murray0710]

I've just been called by my dealer to sort out the corrosion that they noticed when vehicle was owned by previous owner. It's a 2016 Ocean and they say they need the vehicle for 5 days. Does that sound about right?

 

[El Greco]

I had my 2016 inspected last week while waiting. They found minor problems and it has to go back for two days for the touch up and be taped.

 

[nutty123]

Yes they called me in for my T6 roof to be checked. When I went back to pick it up they confirmed it does have rust, but gave me bad news that it could take upto 2 years to fix as the list is so long not bad for 3 year old vehicle i suppose that cost £50k !!!!. Maybe by they get to do it i wont have a roof ?

 

[ArunAlec]

Yes they called me in for my T6 roof to be checked. When I went back to pick it up they confirmed it does have rust, but gave me bad news that it could take upto 2 years to fix as the list is so long not bad for 3 year old vehicle i suppose that cost £50k !!!!. Maybe by they get to do it i wont have a roof ?

You are one of many! Be positive the longer they take to fix the corrosion ( not rust) the more chance that VW will have come up with a permanent repair.

 

[Pips Dad]

You are one of many! Be positive the longer they take to fix the corrosion ( not rust) the more chance that VW will have come up with a permanent repair.

How long do VW need? They have had years to sort out what seems a serious design fault. Keep looking at my 11 month old Ocean but nothing to see.........yet!

 

[ArunAlec]

How long do VW need? They have had years to sort out what seems a serious design fault. Keep looking at my 11 month old Ocean but nothing to see.........yet!

I doubt whether VW will ever solve the problem without a major redesign or change to a non ally roof. All the time we keep buying, they really don’t need to worry. They will have a budget to cater for the ongoing problem, which will have been built into the purchase price. If I were you I would stop looking until nearer the end of your warranty.