[Combatwombat69]

I left a bottle of Simple Green (650ml) in my trunk and I guess it was leaky because it spilled all over my trunk. I only found out a couple days later and surprisingly everything is dry in my trunk. I did notice a strong smell coming from my vents but I'm not sure how that's possible as the spill happened in the trunk. I read that BMWs have lots of sensitive electronics underneath the floor liners, what checks or steps should I do to make sure everything is okay?

[patents]

Figure out if the specific location of the spill has electronics underneath, then look and see if anything is/was wet.

[BravoJohny33]

I doubt much liquid would penetrate through. You only have electronics back there if you have USB MULF or Telemetrics SOS. Otherwise nothing is back there.

[MuffinMan910]

My neighbour ruined her x3 by doing that but it was with olive oil. Not sure what the quote was for the damage it caused but I know she worked a deal with BMW forgiving and forgetting the damage if she leased a new car

If the cars running fine though I wouldn't worry about it

[csu87]

you are supposed to wrap the hookers in plastic before you put them in the trunk to avoid situations like this.

[Fabb]

I spilled some of my milk shake at my left side of the trunk where the infotainment amp is located.

Awful smell but there's no malfunction whatsoever.

[Combatwombat69]

Originally Posted by patents

Figure out if the specific location of the spill has electronics underneath, then look and see if anything is/was wet.

How do I found out what electronics are where? Is there any under the carpet?

[dawhiz]

I recently had a smidge of gas spill out of a gas can in the trunk. It will last forever if you don't leave the trunk lid open to specifically let it air out. Finally getting to the end of it where it's not strong getting in the car.

[kkasson]

Originally Posted by Combatwombat69

How do I found out what electronics are where? Is there any under the carpet?

Flip the trunk floor up and pull it all the way out. The front part that flips up covers the storage bin, but the section behind that has the modules that control bluetooth and BMW assist (if you have the premium package), and I believe there might be navigation hardware back there if you have nav.

The plastic tray on the right side of the trunk is where the battery is, and underneath the plastic tray on the left side there may be audio hardware if you have an upgraded system.

Those are the only electronics in the trunk, as far as I know. There shouldn't be any need to remove any of the other lining, just check underneath the removable floor piece and remove the plastic trays.

[delmarco]

The first time I saw all that exposed expensive telematics and navigation/entertainment related electronics under the thin flip carpet cover in the trunk it immediately ran across my mind what would happen if I spill groceries (milk, water, juice, cooking oil) or any sort of fluids in the trunk.

I am on to my 3rd BMW and 7th car in 12 years and I've always had some occasion where I split something in the trunk of every car I owned and rented for that matter.

The issue on the E90 is those modules not only sit right below the thin carpet cover BUT THE SIT IN A NON POROUS PLASTIC & METAL BASIN! So any liquid spilling under the carpet will flood the exposed electronics in a basin of liquid until it either evaporates or you find it.

BMW does have the option for a $45 to $95 (depending on where you get it) rubber trunk mat with a 2 inch lip to catch any fluids spilling. I may actually get that because I always have some sort of liquid in my trunk for the car or cleaning or groceries or whatever.



Poor design!

[Bimmer Barney]

My wife emptied an entire large laundry detergent canister in my trunk. No damage. Everything smells like fresh linen on a clothes line in the sun with a gentle breeze.

[MarMar]

This happened to me and I haven't been this fortunate... it leaked below the trunk and got into all the electronics triggering codes. Its been a nightmare.

[MarMar]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney

My wife emptied an entire large laundry detergent canister in my trunk. No damage. Everything smells like fresh linen on a clothes line in the sun with a gentle breeze.

This happened to me and I haven't been this fortunate... it leaked below the trunk and got into all the electronics triggering codes. Its been a nightmare.