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Comments
http://www.cepavw.org/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9566
The fluids reservoir is in the trunk. For my year (1999), look on the drivers side for a bump "in" of the trunk. There are a few simple bolts holding down a black cover over that bump "in". Once you get that off, there's the motor. The fluid reservoir is part of the motor and very obvious once you get the cosmetic cover off. If your fluid is low, it will be obvious. I hope for your sake that you are. I think you need to buy the special fluid at a VW dealer. If you find you have a leak of fluids, there is also a special rebuild kit for leaks. Alas, my problem was neither of those. Enjoy the summer!
hallkanea
I have been doing research on my 2000 Cabrio's power roof to see what my options are.
The roof motor is no longer working. VW has confirmed it is leaking fluid. They claim they have to replace the motor and the hydralics which has a price tag of $3300. This is a huge bill-about $2300 more than I expected. I have asked them if they can make it manual (answer is no) what my options are (answer is none) and I have had my car in the shop for the past week thinking about if I am going to spend this much for this repair.....I see that there are options here that VW has not made me aware of and I am pissed...I am printing off this forum and bringing it with me when I pick up my car today.....Has anyone else ever received a quote to fix that was this steep?
I saw some folks were buying glue for the seam. Anyone use glue and have success? In Florida?
Does anyone in Hialeah or South Florida know of other upholstery locations that will remove, sew and replace a Cabrio top? If the top looks brand new, is it better to repair than to replace???
Any other recommendations in terms of vendors/mechanics/upholstery shops in the South Florida area would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thanks.
Thanks!!!!
Herb
Herb
Check the fuse! On mine a hose broke. The 4 feet of hose is $300 to replace. I have not been able to find a hydraulic shop that has the right fittings to make one for $30.
If you need more help let me know.....ZZZzzzzZZZzzzz
but I noticed the black elastic straps that guide and hold the roof when retracted
need to be replaced. These elastic straps are located between the outside top and
the insulated header. Eight years of hot and freezing tempatures have severed
these elastic straps. I visited Asbuty Auto Tops in Asbury Park, NJ and the owner
can replace them at a minimal cost, but we can't figure out the Original Equipment
Manufactures origianl installation placement. My vehicle has 36,000 K on it and I intend on keeping itfor a while. I enjoy breaking it out in the spring and driving until autumn. If you can take the time to glance at your configuration of these elastics
and write back with their placement it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Any suggestions for buying on line.
Thanks:
CharO
Merritt Island, FL
But for now I am going to try repairing the seam with "Mighty Mendit" which I just got in the mail the other day. I will post when I have a chance to see who this works other wise I am going to probably go with the complete top replacement.
CharO
Have the same problem with my wifes' 2000 Cabrio. Did the "mighty mendit" work?
We don't pop the top all that often so I'm looking for an inexpensive and easy fix.
Thanks
So basically I left 70/80 temps to head to the mid 30s & the seams are still holding the together fine. So if you don't mind the cob web look this appears to be doing the trick. When I get back down to warmer weather in a few weeks I will see about posting photos of the process & relusts when I find the time.
Char
Please post if this has happened to you or some one you know. Also I would be curious how the problem was taken care of:
1 Nothing done to fix the separating glue seams at this time.
2. Used duct tape or some other similar temporary fix.
3. Had a shop repair the separated seams & cost to repair.
4. Replaced the old top with a new one & cost to replace.
5. Tried a new or unusual product to repair the damage & how it turned out plus cost & process.
Thanks:
CharO
I have a 2004 VW Cabrio..sooo many things are wrong with it.
The top hydrolic fluid is empty, I am assuming a leak, and the Electrical system is buggy.
Plus the seams on the back sides of the top are coming unglued, where the back window is on the outer edge. I want to try to re-glue them back, but I am not sure I understand how....
When I try to fold the seams back together to align them, I cant get to touch..its like it stretched when the top is down and now theres like a inch gap between the seams and Im not sure why. If I glue them together with teh top up, Im afraid it will pull apart when the top is down.
Also, someone broke into my car and cut 3 big gashes in my top.
I bought some iron on patches of the same color and silicon to try and fix it, because the guy at Midas said he did that to his car for a quick fix for a few months.
I'm so mad, because I still have a year or so to pay off on this car and it has so many things wrong with it. And the paint also looks horrible..it lost its shine so fast, now it is all dull black.
PLUS now the transmission is slipping.. and the Right window regulator is broke..same thing happened to the left, I paid 300 for a new regulator and now the right doesnt work anymore..Im just leaving it.
It has 136,000 miles on it and if I trade it in I wont get barely anything for it with so many things wrong, they will just scrap it at auction.
Its leaking water at the
This car is SUCH a lemon..I wonder I am able to sue or something..a car shouldn't have so many things wrong with it and not even be paid off yet. Ive had it for like 3 1/2 years
Thanks Jerry
KChesterman
Has anyone ever had this happen? Can you tell me what the problem is? Thanks!
Sincerely,
Cheryle
I just wanted to say thank you for posting the installatiom information.
Could you tell me where it's posted. I need it also.
Cheryl Lamar
http://www.cepavw.org/phpbb3/index.php?sid=bcae20114ed2ecc9e7a6925c72391d4f
http://www.cepavw.org/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9566
I don,t really know how to use this forum but maybe you can copy & paste these links like I did. Got them from topper2, ThanX to him. I'm pretty sure that topper2 said in a later post that the installer should have glued the back window area.
ThanX in Advance Steve.
http://www.cepavw.org/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9514
This link is for installing
http://www.cepavw.org/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9566
You can order the top from here
http://www.topsonline.com/
He mentioned that this place is about $60 less than cabrioworld.
As a 99 Cabrio owner, it's been 11 years and I'm trying to hang in with a top that is no longer automatic (leaking hydraulics, then burned out motor, I think), leaky windows, and a splitting top on both sides, unfortunately compounded this week by someone with a knife.
But in deference to VW,over time, I've appreciated the strength of the car's frame and that fabric top. The six or so layers of fabric must have been a challenge for the person with the knife because despite cutting into the top in several places, including a large 3-sided box shape at the driver's side window, the knife was either not up to the task or not sharp enough. Result - it took too much effort or so much time that Lancealittle never made it all the way through to break in (assuming that was the ultimate goal).
Anway, obviously, the top has to be replaced, luckily, the splitting sides were already pretty bad. Amazingly I had just updated my insurance to include comprehensive with a $50 deductible. So, a question to you all: should I go thru Geico or foot the bill myself? I've been quoted $1250 by the shop that all the VW repair shops in the DC area recommend, including my mechanic. I'm up for attempting to replace the top myself, as well, so am not sure which way to go. Any thoughts?
NOTE on STOPPING the SPLITTING: There is a clear tape-like repair material for boats' canvas tops that works very well. The name, I believe, is Mend It, comes in a small box for $10 at a boat accessory store. NOTE 2: Duct Tape isn't a good idea - it would be a very temporary measure, for example, to stop the rain from getting inside your top. It will definitely leave white marks behind and doesn't last long at all, requiring frequent replacement, plus it just looks bad. So basically, unless you plan to replace the top in the near-distant future, the tape isn't a good solution.
By the way, I was told the frequency of the top's usage (especially when being openned) and weight of the window, coupled with poor manufacturing (gluing highest stress point but not stiching it!) is what promotes the splitting
Ladies, on closing the top manually - two additional tricks: when you are standing behind it - hold your stomach in to gather your core strength and help you push the top up and over. Also, try to bend your knees and power up with your legs to a full standing position as you push the top up and over. It may sound strange, but give either one or both, if you can, a shot and let me know what you think. I was always fairly proud once I learned to use more of my body because I knew how heavy the top was and yet people didn't see me struggle nearly like I had before. Basically, these two moves use the bigger, stronger muscles of your body, rather than just the strength in your arms. Good luck!
And if any of you have thoughts on the best path to take to get the happy back in my Cabrio, I'd really appreciate it!!
But to answer your question, sorry for the novel, I believe that either company would be fine. If you do not mind the foam.
http://www.mtmfg.com/category/view/164