Leaking tailgate on T6.1

[markc84]

Hi all,
I've had this irritating issue with my van since I bought it last year and I've yet to solve it. I get a small puddle of water forming either at the rear left or right of the van the floor when there is sustained rainfall, today it was noticble with the rain we've had. I've noticed the drips seem to be eminating from the rubber tailgate seal at the top of the tailgate where the puddles on the floor are forming. I've tried pulling the seal out 1mm or so, this may resolve the issue for some time, or it may stop leaking one side but then it might start on the other, but this has never permanently prevented the issue. Any ideas on where to go from here?

Thanks,
Mark.

 

[JumpShip]

We had a leak on ours , turned out the seal wasn't pushed all the way home towards the corners and the water was seeping behind the seal

 

[Vinyl1210]

I’d think the seal too in some form or other. On my T6.1, even at a few weeks old I had it. On inspection it was simply debris (a bit of leaf) and some grit that affected the seal. I now ensure I have a Quick Look every week to check there is no muck. Part of my wash routine is to wipe the contact face of the seal and dry with a towel.

Basically I think the seal can be ‘sensitive’ to any dirt or not sitting ‘just right’.

 

[WestEndWookie]

I'm hoping this was the issue with mine as there seemed to be half the leaf canopy of an Ash tree stuck in the top around the seal, and water appearing on the floor inside.

I took the seal off at the weekend, tried to clean it all up and then popped it back in place.

 

[WestEndWookie]

I ended up replacing the seal on mine. I think, with hindsight, that the previous seal just wasn't on as tight as it should have been, and that had i just tapped round it with a rubber mallet as i did for installing the replacement, i would have been fine. Oh well, fixed now anyway.

 

[Vinyl1210]

Same problem for me I've discovered today after all this rain. Carpet lining on the very bottom curve of tailgate at the point the plastic load trim meets the carpet lining is slightly damp. So...new seal for me as mines three years old and got loads of crap washed into the 'gripper' edge behind the seal face. Question...... did you buy direct from VW or any aftermarket outlet? I'll order up next week.
Cheers

Edit to say Just noticed (after a google search) , that THQ do a replacement aftermarket seal. Anybody used one?...Any issues or do you all recommend OEM?

 

[WestEndWookie]

Looks like mine came from Vee Dub transporters. It’s been absolutely chucking it down here today and the inside back of the van is bone dry.

 

[Matt-T68]

I've used he THQ one. Just needed a slight trim to fit spot on. Works as it should.

 

[64 SPLIT]

Worth checking that the carpet lining isn't overlapping the seal and soaking water through that way

 

[Vinyl1210]

Worth checking that the carpet lining isn't overlapping the seal and soaking water through that way

Yeah. I did that at the weekend. Mine wasn’t but I think it’s water finding its way behind the rubber and travelling down the inner channel of the rubber ) where it pushes over the body work lip. I only get a slightly damp bit of carpet adjacent to the tail gate trim in the bottom left and right corner. Deffo not dripping down from top as I always keep an eye on that. Anyhow new seal from THQ arrived today ( other suppliers were out of stock) so I’ll clean everything up and fit when I get a dry hour or so and I get get a hairdryer on the small edge of carpet to dry off.

 

[Vinyl1210]

Ok update incase anyone searches in the future and might give some useful insight. (Sorry for detailed post but take the bits from it you wish). Ordered the THQ seal as I’ve got a trade account with them. Seal arrived next day and usual THQ slick service. For those interested I’ve attached a photo of the OEM seal profile against the THQ. ( The OEM is the one with the rusty metal clip)
My carpet was slightly damp in the isolated area of the N/S profile next to the threshold trim as shown.
I took off the old seal and (I believe) the issue was caused by water tracking down the inside of the seal (the bit where the metal clip is) because there was shed loads of moss and crapola trapped behind it. . The water then collected in the corner and got sucked up by the carpet. (Followed advice on here and trimmed the carpet back slightly in the corner so it did not touch the panel lip). Clean it all off and while I was at it took the rear lights out and cleaned behind them too and checked the seals.
New seal is a doddle to fit. But, my advice is try and use a solid thump with your hand rather than a mallet as if you drive the seal on too hard you tend to start splaying the metal former apart which weakens the seal and contact patch. (Experience on other seals).
A quick trim with a cutting disc (to remove excess) and seal complete. Rather than leave a two inch gap between the edges (which mine had from factory) I butted the seal together. My other ‘theory’ is during jet washing, driving in torrid rain, is that some water finds its way in an sits under the plastic trim. It then goes to the corners on top of the spit welded seam and just soaks into the carpet. Unless you are to remove the trim periodically you’ll not spot it. (Again I deduced this from where I found water traces). TBF I must have only had a desert spoon of water I reckon but enough to leach into the carpet and make you think the worse.
Rained for two days since and seal is .

Also I’ve noted that my tailgate now closes fully 100% of the time. I’ve got soft close and with the OEM seal if you just let go of the TG when it was nearly shut (ie a bit gentle with it) it would only half latch and basically be ‘ajar’ and rattle. With THQ seal really positive and hard latching. (Might just be down to fitting but there you go).

Now the extra bit….

I moved over the storage unit and whipped off back 1/4 panel. Checked to ensure roof bolts all good and there was no major leak. All good as I’ve sealed with Industry Standard liquid PTFE. Anyhow I did find a small amount ( about a tea spoon) of water in the bottom of the inner rear cavity by the slam vent. A good look shows I’ve got a bit of water weeping in past the seal. (There are other posts on here regarding this hence why I looked). Courtesy of my wife’s Dyson hair dryer (don’t tell her ) I dried it out and so little water/moisture only took about 5 mins. Then got some Bilt-Hamber Cavity wax with rust inhibitors in it and sprayed a load in the void. There was a tiny (I mean minuscule) bit of surface rust mostly from bits of metal swarf I’d imagine where I’ve drilled for cables etc as it appeared to be sat on top of the factory wax. But belt and braces it got a good dose of wax to back it up.
For context mine is 38 months old (mine from new) with 15k on it.
To the morale of this long post, I strongly urge you to check the slam vents after a few years. I plan to buy some new ones and fit them in the summer (bumper off job when it’s dry and warm) and there is a post on here (can’t recall who) but v. useful about backing up the OEM slam vent seal with slikaflex, which I will do.
Didn’t check O/S but I’ll renew in summer too. I’m not worried for the moment as it is soooooo minor, but left unchecked 5 -8 years later who knows.
II think possibly some is self inflicted with the jet wash. There’s me thinking I’m being good washing all the muck off underneath. I thought (as I know the vents are there) that I was being careful in that vicinity but perhaps not so. (Note to self-Further care required).
I would not have expected at this age and mileage to have an issue but there you go.
Just thought I’d share.
As always great advice on here if you search and a great wealth of experience so keep it coming