The Cali window leak problem, specifically the Beach

[PhilSut1]

I know there are a few threads on here about the leaking window in the California but I have zero DIY skills and I really need a professional to help me with this! I have a 2017 California Beach, and the side passenger window leaks whenever it rains hard and water fills up in the cup holders. Periodically, I apply silicone to the seal around the window that opens on that side, which helps for a little while, but then water seeps through again whenever there's a heavy downpour. Does anyone have any ideas for someone, preferably in the London area or otherwise the South East, who can fix this for me? Is going to a Volkswagen dealer even a good idea? I'm worried they would charge me a lot and possibly will not be able to fix it anyway. Thank you.

 

[Alexlex85]

 

[PhilSut1]

Thank you very much for the video, I'll take a look. I suspect I'll need to find someone to do this for me, I don't trust myself not to make it worse rather than better!

 

[WelshGas]

I know there are a few threads on here about the leaking window in the California but I have zero DIY skills and I really need a professional to help me with this! I have a 2017 California Beach, and the side passenger window leaks whenever it rains hard and water fills up in the cup holders. Periodically, I apply silicone to the seal around the window that opens on that side, which helps for a little while, but then water seeps through again whenever there's a heavy downpour. Does anyone have any ideas for someone, preferably in the London area or otherwise the South East, who can fix this for me? Is going to a Volkswagen dealer even a good idea? I'm worried they would charge me a lot and possibly will not be able to fix it anyway. Thank you.

The problem is the sliding window seal is not 100% effective thus drains in bottom but these are problematic and if not working drain to the interior, Not Good.
VW won't attempt any repair and will just replace. Fine under warranty but expensive otherwise and no guarantee the new window won't have the same problem in time.
A friend had the same problem. Taping the sliding window solved the problem but didn't look good. His answer, as he never used the window was to have the whole window covered in one sheet of Clear Paint Protection Film. Problem solved permanently.
If you want to use the sliding window then replacement at £400 or so is the only alternative.

 

[BeachBound]

I have the same issue. I've watched many a YouTube video and they suggest a number of different solutions.

Fundamentally, as Welsh Gas suggested, the window seals are not 100% and the design of the sill along which the window slides has been engineered with drainage holes to allow for water to escape at both ends.

I've used a wash bottle to squirt water down these holes and they were a little clogged, which can be a issue. Water now drains out freely, and I can see it streaming down the side of the van below the window at both ends.

However, despite cleaning the drainage holes, some water is still collecting in the cups, albeit less than before. I believe there may be a leak below the drainage holes, where there are two plastic channel cups that are meant to collect the water from the drainage holes and channel them outwards. This video shows the issue and shows how to seal the channels to stop the leak:

However, the video shows a Kombi van, not a Beach, and access to the channels on a Beach is more involved due to the plastic moulding. As a result, I haven't yet given this fix a go.

I'm not keen on replacing the window as this seems bound to happen again due to the poor design.

 

[Alexlex85]

I'm sure there is an aftermarket replacement seal for sale which does a much better job at sealing and prevents water coming through all together. Ill try to dig out a link for it

 

[Alexlex85]

I personally dont have any experience with this solution so I would invite anyone with experience to chip in.
Link to purchase

VW T5 T5.1 T6 modified sliding window gasket for leaky windows 2005-2019 years – Matthew Navis

matthewnavis.com

Link to DIY video

 

[ryangibsonuk]

I've just purchased a 2023 Ocean and we had the issue over the winter when it rained heavily.

I've gone in quite hard on the Cleckheaton branch who sold us the vehicle and they are replacing the window after thorough investigation.

It's under warranty so I have accepted this but I'm under no illusions this could happen again.

I just wonder if there's some sort of replacement seal which could be added to stop the water gathering at the bottom of the window and then not having adequate space to drain.

I know there's a few solutions including taping the window up but it feels extreme when surely a genuine solution could be made.

I'm going to see how we get on with the new window and keep up with the cleaning from new but understand this is likely to happen again.

 

[PhilSut1]

The problem is the sliding window seal is not 100% effective thus drains in bottom but these are problematic and if not working drain to the interior, Not Good.
VW won't attempt any repair and will just replace. Fine under warranty but expensive otherwise and no guarantee the new window won't have the same problem in time.
A friend had the same problem. Taping the sliding window solved the problem but didn't look good. His answer, as he never used the window was to have the whole window covered in one sheet of Clear Paint Protection Film. Problem solved permanently.
If you want to use the sliding window then replacement at £400 or so is the only alternative.

Thank you, interesting re the clear paint protection film

 

[PhilSut1]

I have the same issue. I've watched many a YouTube video and they suggest a number of different solutions.

Fundamentally, as Welsh Gas suggested, the window seals are not 100% and the design of the sill along which the window slides has been engineered with drainage holes to allow for water to escape at both ends.

I've used a wash bottle to squirt water down these holes and they were a little clogged, which can be a issue. Water now drains out freely, and I can see it streaming down the side of the van below the window at both ends.

However, despite cleaning the drainage holes, some water is still collecting in the cups, albeit less than before. I believe there may be a leak below the drainage holes, where there are two plastic channel cups that are meant to collect the water from the drainage holes and channel them outwards. This video shows the issue and shows how to seal the channels to stop the leak:

However, the video shows a Kombi van, not a Beach, and access to the channels on a Beach is more involved due to the plastic moulding. As a result, I haven't yet given this fix a go.

I'm not keen on replacing the window as this seems bound to happen again due to the poor design.

Thank you

 

[PhilSut1]

I personally dont have any experience with this solution so I would invite anyone with experience to chip in.
Link to purchase

VW T5 T5.1 T6 modified sliding window gasket for leaky windows 2005-2019 years – Matthew Navis

matthewnavis.com

Link to DIY video

Thanks very much, very helpful

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks very much, very helpful

There are, Apparantly, aftermarket seals.

Original factory sliding windows.....anyone tried these seals?

So I've got slightly leaky sliders (really, only slightly leaking!). I took the sliders out and see the seals no longer fitted properly due to a little corrosion, but also they looked/felt a little 'flat'. I cleaned everything up, used some black glazing/rubber sealant to refit the rubbers...

www.t6forum.com