Service Information

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Body Equipment

Technical Service

B51 33 16

July 2019

SLOSHING NOISES/WATER IN REAR PASSENGER
COMPARTMENT
This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B51 33 16 dated August 2016
What’s New (Specific text highlighted):
• SIB title
• Cause and correction
• Procedure
• Parts
•
Warranty

MODEL
F33 (4 Series Convertible)

F83 (M4 Convertible)

SITUATION
•
•

•

Water sloshing noises coming from the rear passenger compartment (left or right) while driving
Water ingress in the luggage compartment, or in the rear passenger compartmento rear seat bench
o rear passenger compartment foot well
o rear passenger compartment side panel
Failure of various control units installed in the area of the water removal channel

CAUSE
Poor water drainage due to installation location of the rocker panel trim.

CORRECTION
Inspect for dirt/debris that may be blocking the drain outlet. Modify the rocker panel trim to improve
drainage.

PROCEDURE

2

1.

Remove the underbody paneling to
inspect the water drain outlet shown to
the left. Refer to repair instructions 51 71
017 “Removing and
installing/replacing (left or right)
underbody panelling”.

2.

Inspect the drain outlet for debris or
clogging.
•

Clean drain if necessary to ensure the
drain is not clogged.

3. Directly below the water drain, drill a
10mm hole through the rocker panel trim
as shown to the left. Deburr the hole.
This hole will allow for better drainage
and prevent future clogging.
4. Perform this modification on both sides of
the vehicle.

PARTS INFORMATION
Parts are not required unless additional damage is present as a result of water blockages. Refer to
ETK/AIR for parts depending on specific damage.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light
Trucks.
Defect Code:

5147194100

Rocker panel trim - BMW, RR poorly adjusted

Labor Operation:
51 71 016

Labor Allowance:
Refer to AIR

Description:
Removing and installing/replacing left and right
undershield (Main work)

Or:
51 71 516

Refer to AIR

Removing and installing/replacing left and right
undershield (Plus work)

And:
51 00 001

2 FRU

Work time to clean sealing plug and rework the side
sill for drainage

If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 51 71 516
instead of 51 71 016.
Refer to AIR for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances.

3

Work time labor operation code 51 00 001 is not considered a Main labor operation. Also, since the
work time FRU allowance to be claimed is specified, a separate punch time is not required. However,
it still requires an explanation on the repair order and in the claim comments section.
And, as applicable:
Consequential Repair
When additional work and/or parts are required as a direct result of the issue described in this Service
Information bulletin, claim these items under the defect code listed above together with the
corresponding labor operations (including any additional diagnosis) listed in AIR if applicable.
Please explain the reason for this consequential repair work (the why and what) on the repair order
and in the claim comments section.