2021-2023 Audi A5/S5/RS 5 Water Sloshing Sound TSB

Owners of 2021-2023 Audi A5, S5, and RS 5 models may notice a distinctive "water sloshing" sound while driving, cornering, or braking. This issue, addressed by Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2061754/4, indicates that water has accumulated in the side sills of the vehicle.

This TSB, identified as 51 24 28 2061754/4, is the fourth revision, dated February 15, 2024. It supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 51 number 22-23, which was issued on January 7, 2022. The bulletin provides a detailed repair procedure to resolve the water accumulation and eliminate the audible sloshing noise.

Symptoms

Owners typically report hearing a sound like "water sloshing" when the vehicle is driving, cornering, or braking. The origin of this noise is often described as coming from the floor area of the vehicle. During workshop inspections, technicians have found water accumulated in the cavities within the side sills.

Technical Background

The root cause of the "water sloshing" sound is the accumulation of water in the side members and sills of the vehicle. Over time, water can collect in these areas. However, the design of the sill cavity sound absorber can block the normal drainage paths, preventing the accumulated water from exiting properly. This trapped water then creates the noticeable sloshing noise as the vehicle moves.

Audi has implemented improvements to the body structure components in production vehicles to prevent future water accumulation and ensure normal drainage. This TSB provides a solution for vehicles manufactured before these production changes.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair outlined in TSB 2061754/4 involves modifying the sill cavity sound absorber to allow proper water drainage. The general steps are:

1. Access Side Members: The underbody trim must be detached to gain access to the plugs for the side members. If water has already collected, it may drain from these openings once the trim is removed.
2. Identify Water Entry and Absorber Location: Technicians will identify the typical water entrance points and the specific location of the sound absorber that needs modification.
3. Modify Sound Absorber: A hole, approximately 8mm to 10mm in diameter, will be made through the sound absorber at a designated point (marked 'D' in the TSB's diagrams). This hole ensures a normal flow for accumulated water to drain from the sill cavity.
4. Tool Fabrication: A specialized tool is fabricated from an 8mm to 10mm steel rod, bent into an 'L' shape with a 50mm long end. This end is heated to approximately 500°C (932°F).
5. Melt Hole: The heated rod is guided through an opening in the sill trim to melt the necessary hole in the sound absorber.
6. Apply Preservative: After modification, cavity preservative or anti-corrosion wax is applied to the modified area using a specialized sprayer, such as VAG 1379 or VAG 1538, or an equivalent generic sprayer. It's crucial to ensure that the existing drain plugs on the front and rear of the side members are fully functional and undamaged.
7. Reassembly: Finally, the underbody and sill trim are reassembled.

Required Parts and Tools

Technicians will need specific parts and tools to perform this repair:

• Fasteners: As needed per the repair manual (See ETKA/ELSA).
• Cavity Preservative: Part numbers D 330KD2A1 or D 321M16M2 (Quantity: 0.3).
• Sprayers: VAG 1379 or equivalent generic sprayer, and VAG 1538 (Suction Feed Spray Gun) or equivalent generic sprayer.

Warranty Information

This repair, identified by Service Number 5145 and Damage Code 0050, is covered under Audi's New Vehicle Limited Warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The labor operations include:

• 5145 5099: Loosen and refasten underbody trim and modify right and left sound absorbers (100 Technical Units).
• 5101 7501: Body seal coat cavity (Time based on SRT with associated operations).

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