Uggh bloody tailgate queaks and leaks (T6.1)

J

J3AAY

Member
T6 Pro
So the tailgate on my T6.1 rattles and squeaks like hell, annoying as sh1t. I’ve looked at the various bodges but nothing seems to stop it.

Added to that, in this heavy rain we’re having in the SW at present it’s p1ssing in water. It seems to be coming in the top of the tailgate on each side.

Can these things be adjusted? With the leaks and squeaks it seems like something isn’t ‘pulled in’ enough or something.

So frustrating as it’s a beautiful van, but it’s clearly the poorest build I’ve had yet (I’ve had 08, 10, 17, 18 and now 20 plate vans).

Any ideas how to remedy?

Pic for attention :)

IMG_5202.webp
 
For the leak - Roof rail bolts out and silicone sealant the holes if not already done. Those roof rails don't provide a good seal over the boltholes in the roof.
 
Not sure what the various bodges are.

As far as rattles and noises go, have you had the panel off for the tailgate? Worth going round all the bolts and Checking for tightness. Do tailgates have adjustable bump stops?
 
Last edited:
Badjamin said:
For the leak - Roof rail bolts out and silicone sealant the holes if not already done. Those roof rails don't provide a good seal over the boltholes in the roof.
Click to expand...
Rails are all on properly - done enough now to get it right. Had some that leaked before but never again.

I can see the water is coming in the tailgate seal.

As for the bodges - taping the clasp for the lock, lubing the contact points on the tailgate and van (the sort of bump stop things).
 
J3AAY said:
Rails are all on properly - done enough now to get it right. Had some that leaked before but never again.

I can see the water is coming in the tailgate seal.

As for the bodges - taping the clasp for the lock, lubing the contact points on the tailgate and van (the sort of bump stop things).
Click to expand...
Dunno then... Am assuming you've already checked but, Is your carpet lining folded back around the rolled edge of the threshold under the threshold seal? - this can let water in if so. needs to be trimmed flush to the steel rolled edge before the threshold seal goes back on.

I know it's only 5 yr old but what's your tailgate seal like? I think they're about £40/£50. Might be worth pulling it off and replacing as a fresh, firm and springy seal might solve all these rattle as well as leak problems? It shouldn't be that though surely...

Previous posts say the upper door seal if not seated correctly can allow water in?

Have you had it carpet lined?

Is it coming in through the gap where the cable for the heated window is, half way up, then running down the seal?

Possibly the rubber underneath the hinges don't make enough contact also - mentioned in previous posts
 
Mine used to dribble a bit over the top seal.

First thing is to ensure you keep the top of the van side tailgate area clear of leaf debris, if you van is slightly nose up the water will run off the roof, towards the back in the roof rail gutters and then through the tailgate hinge area and down the sides exiting around the light clusters.

Advice around the forum was to use the Honda Shin-Etsu silicone grease for seals (I think in the thread linked above)

Not cheap but I do the seals on my van and my brother in law's every 3 months and we've not had leaks since.

I tend to not rub it in too hard across the top seal and a bit down the sides so it stays slightly tacky which seems to improve things. Don't do this on door seals as it will then transfer to your hands and clothes, give that a good buff off.
 
FIXED THE SQUEAKING!!

It appears the ‘locator’ things rub while you drive and creates the worlds most annoying noise. Unsure why my T6.1 does it, when no other Transporter of each generation of Transporter I’ve owned didn’t. But hey, fixed it with some red rubber grease.

IMG_6297.webp

IMG_6298.webp
 
I think they are there to stabilise the tailgate. Once I greased mine I don’t get any issues.

Still have drips coming through the top of the seal though, I’m just too tight to replace it (the boot liner tray catches the water!)
 
Just had my tailgate seal changed under warranty as it was creased and had split. Leaking either side of the hinges.
Also, check that debris hasn't built up under the hinges...water is supposed to run along the tailgate joint with the roof but if this is blocked then the water pools.
 
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