2022-2024 BMW iX Water Sloshing SIB 41 04 25

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2022-2024 BMW iX vehicles may notice a distinct symptom: "Water sloshing is heard in the vehicle's body when accelerating and braking." This noise indicates that water has accumulated within the vehicle's body structure.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The primary trigger for this concern is the audible BMW iX water sloshing noise during vehicle movement. The underlying cause is identified as an incompletely sealed PVC seam sealer located in the front right and/or left inner wheel weld area. Technicians will verify the customer's reported concern and visually inspect these wheel well areas to confirm the presence of the improperly sealed seam.

Repair Procedure Summary

BMW Technical Service Bulletin SIB 41 04 25 outlines a specific repair process to resolve the BMW iX water sloshing issue. The procedure ensures proper sealing and drainage of accumulated water:

1. Verify Customer Concern: The technician will first confirm the reported water sloshing noise to accurately diagnose the problem.
2. Drain Water: To remove the trapped water, specific front or rear corner bolts that secure the high-voltage (HV) battery are removed. These bolts are accessed on the side of the vehicle where water has accumulated.
3. Access Affected Area: The front inner fender liner(s) on the side(s) experiencing the issue are carefully removed. This step follows detailed repair instructions, specifically 51 71 039, to gain access to the seam sealer location.
4. Clean and Reseal: The area around the existing PVC seam sealer is thoroughly cleaned using Cleanser R2. After the area is completely dry, new D2 seam sealant is applied to the front right and/or left inner wheel weld area where the original seal was incomplete.
5. Reassembly and Verification: Once the new seam sealer has dried according to BMW's specified procedures, the vehicle is reassembled. A final verification step ensures the repair has effectively resolved the water sloshing concern.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform the repair detailed in SIB 41 04 25, specific materials are necessary:

• Cleanser R2 (Spray pump, DN = 500 mL): BMW Part Number 83 19 0 417 324. This cleanser is used for preparing the surface before applying new sealant.
• D2 seam sealant (Tube, DN = 300 mL): BMW Part Number 83 19 5 A66 E25. This is the material used to reseal the affected body seams.

Technicians will also refer to repair instructions 61 25 010 for the correct torque specifications when reinstalling the HV battery bolts, and 51 71 039 for the proper removal and installation of the fender liners. The repair code associated with this issue is 4114000100, labeled as "Front wheel arch Cracked / broken / torn off" for warranty claims.

Important Warnings

Owners and service technicians should note the following critical advisories related to this repair:

• "DO NOT remove the current/original seam sealer." The procedure is designed to apply new sealant over the existing one, not to replace it entirely.
• "Any of the four bolts removed need to be replaced and properly torqued." This instruction is vital for maintaining the structural integrity and safety of the high-voltage battery mounting.

Owner Action

If you own a 2022-2024 BMW iX and experience the BMW iX water sloshing noise, it is recommended to contact your authorized BMW dealership promptly. Inform them of the symptom and reference Technical Service Bulletin SIB 41 04 25. This repair is typically covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, meaning it should be performed at no cost to the owner.

Source: NHTSA ID: 11019566