Release Date

Technical Service Bulletin

06/22/2023

51H9 UPDATE
Sealing Underbody – (NVLW)
Applicable Vehicles

Country

Beginning Model Year

Ending Model Year

Vehicle

Vehicle Count

USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
CAN
CAN
CAN

2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022

2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022

Q7
Q8
RSQ8
SQ7
SQ8
Q7
Q8
SQ7

93
59
4
1
10
5
8
1

Revision History
Revision

Date

Purpose

1

June 22, 2023

Original publication

Condition/Technical Background
This Update has been proactively released to prevent the following condition(s) from occurring in the vehicle:
Criteria

Technical Background

ALL

The paint drain hole on the front left of the underbody was not sealed due to a change in components. As
a result, water may enter the vehicle interior at the front left through this paint drain hole.

Remedy
Criteria

Remedy

ALL

The underbody must be sealed on the affected vehicles and a check must be performed to determine
whether water has entered the vehicle/underbody.

This Update is in effect until removed.
Vehicle must meet all of the following criteria:
• Service campaign active until: 06/01/2027
• Billing possible until: 06/30/2027
• Procedure is valid only for vehicles that show the 51H9 code in the Elsa Campaign/Action Information screen
on the day of repair.
• Procedure must be performed within the allotted time frame stated in this Technical Service Bulletin.
• Procedure must be performed on applicable vehicles in dealer inventory prior to sale.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures are
not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information
applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2023 Audi of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
June 2023

51H9 Page 1 of 11

Release Date

06/22/2023

Technical Service Bulletin

51H9 UPDATE
Sealing Underbody – (NVLW)

Service
NOTE:
•

Elsa is the only valid inquiry/verification source. Check Elsa on the day this vehicle UPDATE will be
performed to verify vehicle eligibility for the UPDATE. Status must show “open”. Attach an Elsa printout
showing the “open” status to the repair order.

•

If this UPDATE appears to have already been performed but the code still shows open in Elsa, contact
Warranty before proceeding further. Another dealer may have recently performed this UPDATE but not
yet entered a claim for it in the system.

•

Elsa may also show additional open action(s); if so, inform your customer - this work can be done while
the vehicle is in for this UPDATE.

•

Contact the Warranty Helpline (U.S.) or the Warranty Campaign Specialist (Canada) if you have any
questions.

•

Enter the VIN in Elsa and proceed to the
“Campaign/Action” screen.

TIP
On the date of repair, print this screen and keep a
copy with the repair order.
•

Confirm the Campaign/Action is open . If the status is closed, no further work is
required.

•

Note the Applicable Criteria ID for
use in determining the correct work to be done
and corresponding parts associated.
CRITICAL REPAIR STEP

STOP!
If multiple software update Campaign/Actions are
open, they must be performed in order of the Start
date . The oldest should be performed
first.
•

All Safety Recalls must be completed prior
to completing this campaign.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures are
not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information
applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2023 Audi of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
June 2023

51H9 Page 2 of 11

Release Date

06/22/2023

Technical Service Bulletin

51H9 UPDATE
Sealing Underbody – (NVLW)
Checking underbody for water ingress:
•

Remove left underbody trim panel:
o

See ELSA Repair Manual: Repair
manual > Body > Body Exterior > 66
Exterior Equipment > Underbody Trim
Panel > Underbody Trim Panel,
Removing and Installing, Front

•

Remove plugs on underbody (left-side) using
a suitable tool, such as a scraper.

•

If no water escapes, visually inspect and feel
the holes to determine whether there is water
or moisture inside them.

•

If you do not identify moisture in the
underbody/side member, only step 1 must be
performed.

•

If you identify moisture in the underbody,
continue with step 2.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures are
not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information
applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2023 Audi of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
June 2023

51H9 Page 3 of 11

Release Date

06/22/2023

Technical Service Bulletin

51H9 UPDATE
Sealing Underbody – (NVLW)
Repair step 1 – Sealing Underbody:
•

Clean paint drain hole with cleaning solution
and cover it with PVC film 443-817-429.

•

Apply adhesive sealant D -511-500-A2 OR
D -476-KD2-M2 to PVC film and spread it out.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures are
not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information
applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2023 Audi of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
June 2023

51H9 Page 4 of 11

Release Date

06/22/2023

Technical Service Bulletin

51H9 UPDATE
Sealing Underbody – (NVLW)
•

Clean drain hole with cleaning solution and
reinsert plug that was removed previously.

•

Clean drain holes with cleaning solution.

•

Reinsert all plugs with adhesive sealant
(D -511-500-A2 OR D -476-KD2-M2) and
spread out excess material.

•

Reinstall underbody trim panel in the reverse
order of removal.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures are
not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information
applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2023 Audi of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
June 2023

51H9 Page 5 of 11

Release Date

06/22/2023

Technical Service Bulletin

51H9 UPDATE
Sealing Underbody – (NVLW)
Repair step 2 – Applying wax to underbody and
checking interior for moisture:
•

Remove front left plug.

•

Apply wax into underbody in direction of
as shown.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures are
not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information
applies, contact an authorized Audi dealer. 2023 Audi of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
June 2023

51H9 Page 6 of 11