Interior - Unpleasant Odors From The Rear Shelf Area
SI B51 26 07Body Equipment
January 2009
Technical Service
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B51 26 07 dated November 2007.
[NEW] designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
Unpleasant Odor from the Trunk Area
MODEL
E46 (3 Series)
[NEW] E65, E66 (7 Series) produced up to 1/2007
[NEW] SITUATION
An unpleasant odor may be noticed from the area of the rear parcel shelf.
The odor is commonly referred to as smelling like wax crayons.
The negative cabin pressure, created by driving with the sunroof open, may amplify the odor.
[NEW] CAUSE
Degradation of the sound insulating mat located under the rear parcel shelf
Such degradation typically does not occur until the vehicle is more than a couple of years old.
[NEW] CORRECTION
Replace the insulating mat with an updated part.
PROCEDURE
1. Determine whether the source of the odor is in fact the sound insulation mat located under the rear parcel shelf.
Note:
The blower motor should be turned off when locating the source of the odor as it is easy to mistake the odor as coming from the rear HVAC vents.
2. Remove the parcel shelf per Repair Instruction RA 51 46 000.
3. Replace the affected sound insulation with an updated part.
4. Reinstall all removed parts in the vehicle interior.
5. To eliminate any residual odors, the trunk and interior should be cleaned, using the following products and procedure:
^ Wynn's Aircomatic Ultrasonic Cleaner (P/N 211-0300)
^ Wynn's Airco-Clean (P/N 211-30208)
^ Refer to SI B04 30 03 for additional information on how to acquire the tool and the cleaning solutions.
^ Note: When using this product, always wear proper eye protection. The use of safety goggles or glasses, gloves and a shop coat is recommended.
Airco-Clean Treatment Application
1. Start the vehicle's engine.
2. Turn the air conditioning off.
3. Set the blower to a middle speed.
4. Open all dashboard center air vents, and set the airflow control to direct air toward the dashboard center vents, and not through floor-facing vents or window defroster vents.
5. Set the ventilation system to recirculate.
6. Ensure that there is no remaining liquid from a previous treatment in the unit.
7. Shake the bottle of Wynn's Airco-Clean Ultrasonic Air Conditioning Treatment.
8. Remove the cap from the bottle.
9. Turn the bottle of Airco-Clean Ultrasonic Air Conditioning Treatment upside down, and screw the bottle (hand-tight) onto the filling opening of the unit. The spike in the Aircomatic unit will puncture the bottle seal and allow the liquid to empty into the unit. Leave the bottle attached for the duration of the service.
10. Connect the clear flexible hose which is included with the unit, to the spout opening on the Aircomatic unit.
11. Place the Aircomatic unit in the passenger side footwell and point the clear flexible hose toward the air intake vent behind the glove box.
12. Make sure the machine is placed horizontally and not at an angle.
13. NOTE: As the Aircomatic unit creates 5-micron droplets, it is not necessary to remove the vehicle's pollen filter (this generally filters fresh air and not recirculating air). The product will pass through the pollen filters. However, activated carbon/charcoal filters should be removed during the treatment and replaced, if necessary, at the completion of the service, as these filters will absorb the Airco-Clean product.
14. Point the clear flexible hose away from the face and skin. Attach the power cord from the transformer into an 110V wall outlet, and the opposite plug into the Aircomatic electrical socket. The unit will immediately begin producing vapor through the flexible hose. Make sure the hose is not kinked. Direct the hose so that the vapor is pulled into the ventilation ducts above the passenger side footwell. This will direct the vapor into the air conditioning system evaporator, and back into the vehicle's interior through the open dashboard vents.
15. Close all doors and let the treatment continue.
16. It is important to stop the treatment after 15 minutes. If the unit is run any longer, it may overheat and may shorten the lifespan of the unit.
NOTE:
Some condensation will occur in the clear plastic hose. Exercise caution when removing the unit to avoid spillage.
17. Disconnect the power supply.
18. Remove the flexible hose from the Aircomatic unit.
19. Remove the empty bottle of Airco-Clean product.
20. Place the Aircomatic unit in the trunk.
21. Repeat steps 7 10.
22. Point the clear flexible hose away from the face and skin. Attach the power cord from the transformer into an 110V wall outlet, and the opposite plug into the Aircomatic electrical socket. The unit will immediately begin producing vapor through the flexible hose.
23. Close the trunk and allow the treatment to continue.
24. Open the trunk and stop the cleaning cycle after 7-10 minutes, as it is not necessary to use an entire bottle of Airco-Clean in the trunk.
25. Disconnect the power supply.
26. Remove the flexible hose from the Aircomatic unit.
27. Remove the empty bottle of Airco-Clean product.
28. Turn the unit upside down and pour any remaining liquid through the flexible hose connection opening into the empty bottle. This liquid will typically be discolored due to the heat produced in the unit.
29. Do not rinse the unit. Emptying the machine of remaining fluid is sufficient.
30. The Aircomatic unit is now ready for the next service.
31. Open the vehicle's windows; set the A/C control to the ON position (normal operation); the temperature to the coldest setting; and the blower to the highest setting. Allow the vehicle to air out for at least 10 minutes prior to driving the vehicle or releasing it back to the customer.
[NEW] PARTS INFORMATION
[NEW] WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Disclaimer