Roof seal and drain cleaning.

[Jabberwocky]

How fastidious are you about keeping your roof seals and drains clean and clear? If you are not that good at keeping these areas clean and clear you should read page 72 in my T6 (Jun 19 build) California Supplement. I attach for interest.
Call me a cynic, and bear in mind I don't remember seeing this in my previous Cali's supplement (Feb 17 build), but this insertion could be used to try and wriggle out of certain warranty repairs if there is evidence of poor maintenance on the part of the owner.

 

[sbmcd]

I've just checked my front roof drains on my 6.1 after my two months in Europe and removing the plastic caps was difficult due to the sealant VW has applied round the cable entry point, it had stuck to the inside of the cap. On my T5.1 there was a lot less of it and it did not stick to the caps.

Anyone else found this.

 

[DGB99]

Just taken mine off to clean (23 6.1) and they came off fine - just enough 'hold' them back on !

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I've just checked my front roof drains on my 6.1 after my two months in Europe and removing the plastic caps was difficult due to the sealant VW has applied round the cable entry point, it had stuck to the inside of the cap. On my T5.1 there was a lot less of it and it did not stick to the caps.

Anyone else found this.

From previous postings I think you are not unique in having 'messy mastic' at this juncture (on more recent California, for which later production numbers seem to have increased causing quality control shortfalls).

I imagine you might be able to take this up under warranty if still valid and if you have time on your hands and want the hassle, but the alternative might be to correct this yourself. I do not know this for certain, but the product looks to me to be CT1, as:

https://amzn.eu/d/iT92vTH

If you decide to self-correct I would recommend also buying:

MSV MULTISOLVE Multi Purpose Solvent - Adhesive, Sealant & Glue Remover - Aerosol Spray - CT1 Adhesive Remover - Fast Working & Drying - Clear - 200ml : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Versatile solvent spray removes adhesives, sealants, wax, ink, and oil from painted, vinyl, glass, rubber, and plastics. Fast-acting, leaves no residue.

amzn.eu

this allows the CT1 to be tidied (before it sets) and watching one of the many a CT1/Multisolve YouTube videos - this is assuming you are not familiar with all this anyway - such as:

But if new to this, practice first and use Multisolve sparingly!

 

[sbmcd]

From previous postings I think you are not unique in having 'messy mastic' at this juncture (on more recent California, for which later production numbers seem to have increased causing quality control shortfalls).

I imagine you might be able to take this up under warranty if still valid and if you have time on your hands and want the hassle, but the alternative might be to correct this yourself. I do not know this for certain, but the product looks to me to be CT1, as:

https://amzn.eu/d/iT92vTH

If you decide to self-correct I would recommend also buying:

MSV MULTISOLVE Multi Purpose Solvent - Adhesive, Sealant & Glue Remover - Aerosol Spray - CT1 Adhesive Remover - Fast Working & Drying - Clear - 200ml : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Versatile solvent spray removes adhesives, sealants, wax, ink, and oil from painted, vinyl, glass, rubber, and plastics. Fast-acting, leaves no residue.

amzn.eu

this allows the CT1 to be tidied (before it sets) and watching one of the many a CT1/Multisolve YouTube videos - this is assuming you are not familiar with all this anyway - such as:

But if new to this, practice first and use Multisolve sparingly!

Thanks, that's useful, van was only bought in Nov 24 so very much under warranty.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

How fastidious are you about keeping your roof seals and drains clean and clear? If you are not that good at keeping these areas clean and clear you should read page 72 in my T6 (Jun 19 build) California Supplement. I attach for interest.
Call me a cynic, and bear in mind I don't remember seeing this in my previous Cali's supplement (Feb 17 build), but this insertion could be used to try and wriggle out of certain warranty repairs if there is evidence of poor maintenance on the part of the owner.
View attachment 56044

Quite fastidious.... Couldn't clean the front driver one, so it was "cleaned" under warranty but still it never flowed properly.

Removed the A pillar cover and freed up the squashed and flattened drain hose. Still not perfect but a lot better. Pipe needs replacement ideally.

Regards the rubber, annually I will clean and apply Liqui Moly. Also remove the pop top rubber seals and check for any signs of corrosion on the edge of the metal / inside of the rubber. Added a small amount of silicone lubricant and re-assembled.

And don't forget annually to remove all 4 wheels and apply copper grease.

And annual paint of the spare wheel locking thing.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Thanks, that's useful, van was only bought in Nov 24 so very much under warranty.

Yeah. Good luck with that...

 

[sbmcd]

Fortunately both drains checked ok. VW have been over zealous with the cable sealant which is still a bit soft, it had stuck to the inside of the caps near the front end only, no risk of ingress via the cable seal as far as I can tell.

Already dealt with rusty hubs during my first winter tyre change, copper grease applied.

Spare tyre bolts done and home made locksafe fitted.

Had the seal corrosion on my old T5.1 VW glued the seals on, was not happy at the time but the glue kept the moisture out and it never returned in my 10 years of ownership. Will keep an eye on this one.

 

[sbmcd]

Pic taken today of the issue, what a mess by VW, mastic stuck to inside of drain / cable cap.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Pic taken today of the issue, what a mess by VW, mastic stuck to inside of drain / cable cap.

View attachment 141937

View attachment 141938

Urghh!

That looks different to my 2022 built van, which has a mid grey mastic with a semi-mat surface - hence my suggestion of CT1 on my previous post.

However. removal and start again with new sealant could be difficult. Also having a VW remedy under warranty (if they agreed to at all) would leave me worried.

Minimal careful ‘surgery’ with a new scalpel and then some making good seems the best route - only sufficient to enable access to the drain and an effective seal to any leaking.

 

[sbmcd]

Urghh!

That looks different to my 2022 built van, which has a mid grey mastic with a semi-mat surface - hence my suggestion of CT1 on my previous post.

However. removal and start again with new sealant could be difficult. Also having a VW remedy under warranty (if they agreed to at all) would leave me worried.

Minimal careful ‘surgery’ with a new scalpel and then some making good seems the best route - only sufficient to enable access to the drain and an effective seal to any leaking.

Thanks for that, I'll sit on it for a while.

I share your concern about VW.

 

[Oscarthebeddie]

Pic taken today of the issue, what a mess by VW, mastic stuck to inside of drain / cable cap.

View attachment 141937

View attachment 141938

Shocking but predictable

 

[sidepod]

What is underneath all of the goo? Is it a connector or gland? Seems a dreadful way to waterproof what is simply a cable passing through a hole!

 

[Perfectos]

Obviously something used in the production line elsewhere = zero additional cost = Shocking & shoddy

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Thanks for that, I'll sit on it for a while.

I share your concern about VW.

I understood you could not get access to the drains (a big worry) if I got that wrong and there is no detrimental impact from the ‘pudding’ of mastic then definitely sit on it!

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Pic taken today of the issue, what a mess by VW, mastic stuck to inside of drain / cable cap.

View attachment 141937

View attachment 141938

Are you the first owner of the vehicle?

 

[sbmcd]

Are you the first owner of the vehicle?

Yes bought it new from VW in Nov 24, this is all VW's work.

 

[sbmcd]

I understood you could not get access to the drains (a big worry) if I got that wrong and there is no detrimental impact from the ‘pudding’ of mastic then definitely sit on it!

I did get access but the mastic had stuck to the inside of the drain cap making it difficult to remove, and potentially compromising e bulkhead seal by disturbing it.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I did get access but the mastic had stuck to the inside of the drain cap making it difficult to remove, and potentially compromising e bulkhead seal by disturbing it.

Not so bad then, even if sloppy.

 

[acer]

Pic taken today of the issue, what a mess by VW, mastic stuck to inside of drain / cable cap.

View attachment 141937

View attachment 141938

This prompted me to check my drainage / roof and there was a pool of water around the drain hole.
I also found pulling off the cover difficult due to a similar splodge of mastic. So, if it’s any consolation you’re not alone. Mine is also a 2024.

However, I believe I managed to remove it without causing damage and cleaned out the drainage hole with the assistance of a syringe and hot soapy water as advised on this forum.

 

[Perfectos]

This prompted me to check my drainage / roof and there was a pool of water around the drain hole.
I also found pulling off the cover difficult due to a similar splodge of mastic. So, if it’s any consolation you’re not alone. Mine is also a 2024.

However, I believe I managed to remove it without causing damage and cleaned out the drainage hole with the assistance of a syringe and hot soapy water as advised on this forum.

After cleaning , I spray a bit of silicone spray down the top drain holes to ensure the Rubber valve located in the scuttle (bulkhead) get lubricated and remains supple.
The Cross shape valve tends to stick together , which is what causes blockage. I.e the valve sticks to itself & remains closed. It's easier to lubricate the tube at the top and let gravity deliver a small amount of lube to the inside of the valve, rather than remove the wipers snd Scuttle cover each time to spray the outside face. (Warning Don't spray anything other than Silicone down the tube, petro chem derivatives will damage the rubber)