Help with electric roof manual lowering procedure

[Masher]

Could anyone help please with some basic questions about the electric roof emergency lowering? In my case it's a 2023 6.1 California Ocean.

Once you have unclipped the overhead panel, how do you find the magic pressure release screw? I watched the "California Chris" video on how to do it and he drops the panel to reveal a load of insulation foam hiding what I presume is the pump but doesn't go on to show the whole procedure. Do you have to tear all of this foam out to find the screw or just keep poking your screwdriver through the foam in a specific location to find it?


Is it obvious which screw when you see it or are there several? (don't want to end up with a shower of leaking hydraulic fluid or something by turning the wrong screw)
After lowering, can you just retighten screw and attempt to raise again with the pump or must you top up fluid something?

I was in need of this procedure recently when I had a really bad sagging issue on the passenger side (my van is just 2 months outside of its 3 year warranty). I was just about to leave the campsite and couldn't get the roof to straighten up before closing - even after trying to raise it first to level it up. It immediately dropped again on the passenger side.
I looked in the manual but couldn't get my head around the section about the override procedure and stupidly had no tools to hand either. In a bit of a panic I ended up trying several times using the motor to close the roof with one side being much lower than the other. there were a couple of very unnerving clunks..... I'm dreading what's happened underneath but it closed and locked ok without any obvious damage from the outside to be seen.

I've been searching for a video showing this procedure but can't find anything. It would be great to get a step by step from someone that has done it.

Next step is to book in for a diagnostic and repair - I'm hoping it just needs a ram replacement on that side. Has anyone had any recent good experience with an independent or dealer? I'm just North of London.
A few of the recommended people on here have stopped trading. The favourite seems to be Kernow Transporters in Cornwall but it's 300 miles from me. I saw another person used Links Automotive in Macclesfield and someone else used Bognor Motors on The South Coast.
I'd be really grateful for any recommendations on someone very experienced with VW roof systems.

I believe the pump is very expensive and the cylinders (rams) too, so I don't want an inexperienced mechanic or dealer just endlessly throwing new parts at it until it's fixed and then racking up a massive and unnecessary bill.

Thanks!

 

[jeff]

Could anyone help please with some basic questions about the electric roof emergency lowering? In my case it's a 2023 6.1 California Ocean.

Once you have unclipped the overhead panel, how do you find the magic pressure release screw? I watched the "California Chris" video on how to do it and he drops the panel to reveal a load of insulation foam hiding what I presume is the pump but doesn't go on to show the whole procedure. Do you have to tear all of this foam out to find the screw or just keep poking your screwdriver through the foam in a specific location to find it?
View attachment 150526View attachment 150527

Is it obvious which screw when you see it or are there several? (don't want to end up with a shower of leaking hydraulic fluid or something by turning the wrong screw)
After lowering, can you just retighten screw and attempt to raise again with the pump or must you top up fluid something?

I was in need of this procedure recently when I had a really bad sagging issue on the passenger side (my van is just 2 months outside of its 3 year warranty). I was just about to leave the campsite and couldn't get the roof to straighten up before closing - even after trying to raise it first to level it up. It immediately dropped again on the passenger side.
I looked in the manual but couldn't get my head around the section about the override procedure and stupidly had no tools to hand either. In a bit of a panic I ended up trying several times using the motor to close the roof with one side being much lower than the other. there were a couple of very unnerving clunks..... I'm dreading what's happened underneath but it closed and locked ok without any obvious damage from the outside to be seen.

I've been searching for a video showing this procedure but can't find anything. It would be great to get a step by step from someone that has done it.

Next step is to book in for a diagnostic and repair - I'm hoping it just needs a ram replacement on that side. Has anyone had any recent good experience with an independent or dealer? I'm just North of London.
A few of the recommended people on here have stopped trading. The favourite seems to be Kernow Transporters in Cornwall but it's 300 miles from me. I saw another person used Links Automotive in Macclesfield and someone else used Bognor Motors on The South Coast.
I'd be really grateful for any recommendations on someone very experienced with VW roof systems.

I believe the pump is very expensive and the cylinders (rams) too, so I don't want an inexperienced mechanic or dealer just endlessly throwing new parts at it until it's fixed and then racking up a massive and unnecessary bill.

Thanks!

Make a trip to Cornwall very experienced, campsite opposite well worth the extra mileage, went there last month from Berkshire.
If booking campsite ring up tell them you are booked in with Kernow transporters and they will do 1 or 2 nights, as website says minimum of 3 nights.

 

[cangyroo]

I'm not certain about the 6.1... in my 7.0 Ocean, the pop top hydraulic pressure release screw is in the back on the right. I thought the 6.1 was located there too, but maybe best to wait for a reply from someone who actually knows for sure.

 

[WelshGas]

Could anyone help please with some basic questions about the electric roof emergency lowering? In my case it's a 2023 6.1 California Ocean.

Once you have unclipped the overhead panel, how do you find the magic pressure release screw? I watched the "California Chris" video on how to do it and he drops the panel to reveal a load of insulation foam hiding what I presume is the pump but doesn't go on to show the whole procedure. Do you have to tear all of this foam out to find the screw or just keep poking your screwdriver through the foam in a specific location to find it?
View attachment 150526View attachment 150527

Is it obvious which screw when you see it or are there several? (don't want to end up with a shower of leaking hydraulic fluid or something by turning the wrong screw)
After lowering, can you just retighten screw and attempt to raise again with the pump or must you top up fluid something?

I was in need of this procedure recently when I had a really bad sagging issue on the passenger side (my van is just 2 months outside of its 3 year warranty). I was just about to leave the campsite and couldn't get the roof to straighten up before closing - even after trying to raise it first to level it up. It immediately dropped again on the passenger side.
I looked in the manual but couldn't get my head around the section about the override procedure and stupidly had no tools to hand either. In a bit of a panic I ended up trying several times using the motor to close the roof with one side being much lower than the other. there were a couple of very unnerving clunks..... I'm dreading what's happened underneath but it closed and locked ok without any obvious damage from the outside to be seen.

I've been searching for a video showing this procedure but can't find anything. It would be great to get a step by step from someone that has done it.

Next step is to book in for a diagnostic and repair - I'm hoping it just needs a ram replacement on that side. Has anyone had any recent good experience with an independent or dealer? I'm just North of London.
A few of the recommended people on here have stopped trading. The favourite seems to be Kernow Transporters in Cornwall but it's 300 miles from me. I saw another person used Links Automotive in Macclesfield and someone else used Bognor Motors on The South Coast.
I'd be really grateful for any recommendations on someone very experienced with VW roof systems.

I believe the pump is very expensive and the cylinders (rams) too, so I don't want an inexperienced mechanic or dealer just endlessly throwing new parts at it until it's fixed and then racking up a massive and unnecessary bill.

Thanks!

Here you go:

Emergency roof closure

Hi, I've posted this in General because it relates to anyone when the Cali roof fails to close. The manual describes a manual lowering procedure, which involves removing the control unit and accessing a screw to release the oil pressure. Unfortunately, this screw was not visible on my Cali...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Masher]

Here you go:

Emergency roof closure

Hi, I've posted this in General because it relates to anyone when the Cali roof fails to close. The manual describes a manual lowering procedure, which involves removing the control unit and accessing a screw to release the oil pressure. Unfortunately, this screw was not visible on my Cali...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Brilliant! Thank you

 

[Alexlex85]

Just to confirm for future reference the correct screw

 

[L&R.]

Thanks for showing this, I'm just wondering if anyone knows how much fluid is released when the screw is undone, and do you just put a yoghurt carton, or larger tray under it to stop it staining the inside of the cab?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for showing this, I'm just wondering if anyone knows how much fluid is released when the screw is undone, and do you just put a yoghurt carton, or larger tray under it to stop it staining the inside of the cab?

No fluid should be released.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for showing this, I'm just wondering if anyone knows how much fluid is released when the screw is undone, and do you just put a yoghurt carton, or larger tray under it to stop it staining the inside of the cab?

Just to confirm you just undo the screw a few turns. It cannot be removed unless you force it as it is a captive screw.

 

[skinnywhippet]

Could anyone help please with some basic questions about the electric roof emergency lowering? In my case it's a 2023 6.1 California Ocean.

Once you have unclipped the overhead panel, how do you find the magic pressure release screw? I watched the "California Chris" video on how to do it and he drops the panel to reveal a load of insulation foam hiding what I presume is the pump but doesn't go on to show the whole procedure. Do you have to tear all of this foam out to find the screw or just keep poking your screwdriver through the foam in a specific location to find it?
View attachment 150526View attachment 150527

Is it obvious which screw when you see it or are there several? (don't want to end up with a shower of leaking hydraulic fluid or something by turning the wrong screw)
After lowering, can you just retighten screw and attempt to raise again with the pump or must you top up fluid something?

I was in need of this procedure recently when I had a really bad sagging issue on the passenger side (my van is just 2 months outside of its 3 year warranty). I was just about to leave the campsite and couldn't get the roof to straighten up before closing - even after trying to raise it first to level it up. It immediately dropped again on the passenger side.
I looked in the manual but couldn't get my head around the section about the override procedure and stupidly had no tools to hand either. In a bit of a panic I ended up trying several times using the motor to close the roof with one side being much lower than the other. there were a couple of very unnerving clunks..... I'm dreading what's happened underneath but it closed and locked ok without any obvious damage from the outside to be seen.

I've been searching for a video showing this procedure but can't find anything. It would be great to get a step by step from someone that has done it.

Next step is to book in for a diagnostic and repair - I'm hoping it just needs a ram replacement on that side. Has anyone had any recent good experience with an independent or dealer? I'm just North of London.
A few of the recommended people on here have stopped trading. The favourite seems to be Kernow Transporters in Cornwall but it's 300 miles from me. I saw another person used Links Automotive in Macclesfield and someone else used Bognor Motors on The South Coast.
I'd be really grateful for any recommendations on someone very experienced with VW roof systems.

I believe the pump is very expensive and the cylinders (rams) too, so I don't want an inexperienced mechanic or dealer just endlessly throwing new parts at it until it's fixed and then racking up a massive and unnecessary bill.

Thanks!

Not had this issue but have used Links in Macc for our Cali for yearsince a bad main dealer experience and would trust them to work on the raising roof

Could anyone help please with some basic questions about the electric roof emergency lowering? In my case it's a 2023 6.1 California Ocean.

Once you have unclipped the overhead panel, how do you find the magic pressure release screw? I watched the "California Chris" video on how to do it and he drops the panel to reveal a load of insulation foam hiding what I presume is the pump but doesn't go on to show the whole procedure. Do you have to tear all of this foam out to find the screw or just keep poking your screwdriver through the foam in a specific location to find it?
View attachment 150526View attachment 150527

Is it obvious which screw when you see it or are there several? (don't want to end up with a shower of leaking hydraulic fluid or something by turning the wrong screw)
After lowering, can you just retighten screw and attempt to raise again with the pump or must you top up fluid something?

I was in need of this procedure recently when I had a really bad sagging issue on the passenger side (my van is just 2 months outside of its 3 year warranty). I was just about to leave the campsite and couldn't get the roof to straighten up before closing - even after trying to raise it first to level it up. It immediately dropped again on the passenger side.
I looked in the manual but couldn't get my head around the section about the override procedure and stupidly had no tools to hand either. In a bit of a panic I ended up trying several times using the motor to close the roof with one side being much lower than the other. there were a couple of very unnerving clunks..... I'm dreading what's happened underneath but it closed and locked ok without any obvious damage from the outside to be seen.

I've been searching for a video showing this procedure but can't find anything. It would be great to get a step by step from someone that has done it.

Next step is to book in for a diagnostic and repair - I'm hoping it just needs a ram replacement on that side. Has anyone had any recent good experience with an independent or dealer? I'm just North of London.
A few of the recommended people on here have stopped trading. The favourite seems to be Kernow Transporters in Cornwall but it's 300 miles from me. I saw another person used Links Automotive in Macclesfield and someone else used Bognor Motors on The South Coast.
I'd be really grateful for any recommendations on someone very experienced with VW roof systems.

I believe the pump is very expensive and the cylinders (rams) too, so I don't want an inexperienced mechanic or dealer just endlessly throwing new parts at it until it's fixed and then racking up a massive and unnecessary bill.

Thanks!

Hi just seen this. You mention Links in Macclesfield, I would reccommend them and trust them completely, have used them for years and I'm sure they'd have a chat with you to see if it's worth the trip to see them. On another note, we have had just two mechanical issues in 12 years of ownership and both happened whilst holidaying in Germany. There the VW car dealers, which seem to be on every corner, work with the California every day and both times our issues were diagnosed and fixed in no time, same day and next day. So whilst not much help with the current issue, if anyone has California technical questions and is ever with the vehicle in Germany the dealers seem incredibly knowledgeable, keen to help, and competitively priced.