Advice ref roof

[Danluc75]

Hi all,

V grateful for advice, I just bought a 2013 Cali SE, and v much looking forward to some trips this summer.

The van had a spectacularly burned out fresh water motor, sensor had failed, I have been busy replacing that and fixing the broken tambour doors.

I have a question about the pop top. I see some Calis have elastic around the canvas, presumably to encourage the material to fold inward on closing the roof. Mine doesn’t have this. Is it necessary?

Also, the electric roof… works fine… should I get it serviced? Anyone recommended near Bristol?

Oh and while I am here, at some stage I should replace the window in the sliding door. Where to source? And to fit?

Thanks in advance,

Mike


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[colintfcolintf]

Hi, KernowCampers down near Penzance our probably your best local bet for roofs. They also have a campsite opposite them. Are the window drains clear?

 

[parxuk]

Hi Danluc75.

I too have just replaced the motor in the fresh water tank after it burned out and blew the fuse.

Does your fresh water tank now stink of that burning electrical smell? I had to replace the water pipe and have cleaned the tank twice with pro-kleen, but I still think I can smell/taste it (though it may be psychological?).

Rightly or wrongly I don't have the bungee on my pop top.

Regards

Craig

 

[WelshGas]

Hi all,

V grateful for advice, I just bought a 2013 Cali SE, and v much looking forward to some trips this summer.

The van had a spectacularly burned out fresh water motor, sensor had failed, I have been busy replacing that and fixing the broken tambour doors.

I have a question about the pop top. I see some Calis have elastic around the canvas, presumably to encourage the material to fold inward on closing the roof. Mine doesn’t have this. Is it necessary?

Also, the electric roof… works fine… should I get it serviced? Anyone recommended near Bristol?

Oh and while I am here, at some stage I should replace the window in the sliding door. Where to source? And to fit?

Thanks in advance,

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no VW service schedule for the Hydraulic roof. Just ensure the roof drains , front and rear, are patent AND do not poke anything down the drains but use a syringe and fine plastic tube to syringe water through the drains.
You are correct about the Bellows Bungee, especially for the older model canvas roofs. I had mine on for 10 yrs and it did the job with no damage to the canvas. Some will disagree you need it and you probably don’t need one on the T6/6.1 bellows.

 

[Danluc75]

Thanks for these replies, v helpful.

Parxuk: yes fire smell was v bad, I dealt with it with: 3 x cleaned the tank with 1:5 vinegar:water solution, having first sprayed it inside with neat vinegar. It has worked well, no smell.

Welshgas: that’s v helpful thanks I will tackle the drains, I hope it’s easier than the sunroof drains on my old BMW 5 series. Q: You wouldn’t even poke a pipe cleaner down the pop top drains?

Thanks again, Mike


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[Perfectos]

Thanks for these replies, v helpful.

Parxuk: yes fire smell was v bad, I dealt with it with: 3 x cleaned the tank with 1:5 vinegar:water solution, having first sprayed it inside with neat vinegar. It has worked well, no smell.

Welshgas: that’s v helpful thanks I will tackle the drains, I hope it’s easier than the sunroof drains on my old BMW 5 series. Q: You wouldn’t even poke a pipe cleaner down the pop top drains?

Thanks again, Mike


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Poke nothing into the holes

Use a syringe

Roof drains

Hi are there 2 drains for the roof at the front of the Cali? I’ve tried pouring water down both sides. The drivers side gurgles and water comes out of the bottom of the van. The passenger side does nothing and the water pools. Also I have long black covers over the drains. I have been looking at...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Many many more threads on the subject, use the search function to find

 

[Beeechke1]

If you have the original canvas type bellows then personally I would not add a bellows bungie, I think it might accelerate the aging of the canvas and potentially lead to water ingress. Our bellows finally gave out , you could see daylight through the stich holes and they started leaking, last year on a well used 2010 SE.
As said above Kernow Transporters replaced them with the latest version, very good service at sensible price.

 

[parxuk]

Thanks for these replies, v helpful.

Parxuk: yes fire smell was v bad, I dealt with it with: 3 x cleaned the tank with 1:5 vinegar:water solution, having first sprayed it inside with neat vinegar. It has worked well, no smell.

Welshgas: that’s v helpful thanks I will tackle the drains, I hope it’s easier than the sunroof drains on my old BMW 5 series. Q: You wouldn’t even poke a pipe cleaner down the pop top drains?

Thanks again, Mike


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Was that white vinegar?

Been away in the van at the club meet for the first time since the motor burned out and the water is undrinkable so I'm going to have to try this.

Thanks