Wet and/or Stained Trim Carpeting in Right Rear Area of Trunk (Replace Quarter Outer Panel Pressure Relief Valve)

Some customers may comment on wet and/or stained trunk trim carpeting in the right rear area of the trunk. Other customer comments may refer to water, dirt, sand, or salt accumulation on the right rear floor of the trunk, under the carpeting.

Road contaminants (water, sand, dust, mud, salt, etc.) may be kicked up by the tires and may enter the right side of the trunk through the open flaps of the quarter outer panel pressure relief valve. The flaps are open whenever the HVAC system is on and in the outside air mode.

Replace the quarter outer panel pressure relief valve with a new design pressure relief valve, P/N 22720115, which has a snap-on deflector. The deflector interrupts the direct path between the tire patch and the quarter outer panel pressure relief valve flaps, thus preventing road contaminants from entering the trunk. Refer to the service procedure provided in this bulletin to replace the pressure relief valve.

Removal Procedure

1. Open the rear compartment (trunk).
2. Pull back the rear compartment trim from the right rear corner in order to expose the quarter outer panel pressure relief valve.



3. Press the clips on the pressure relief valve and push out.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to "Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle" in the General Information section in Volume 1 of the 2003 Saturn ION Service Manual.
5. Reach between the quarter panel and the space frame to remove the pressure relief valve.

Important: The original pressure relief valve design had a foam/plastic deflector adhered to the outside of the space frame, just above the valve. The new design pressure relief valve, P/N 22720115, has a snap-on deflector which is attached to the valve. Before installing a new design pressure relief valve, the old design deflector must be removed.

6. Reach between the quarter panel and the space frame to remove the deflector. Starting at one corner of the deflector, pull the deflector away from the space frame until the entire deflector has been peeled away from the space frame and discard.

Installation Procedure

1. Reach between the quarter panel and the space frame to install the new pressure relief valve.



2. Push on the pressure relief valve to secure the valve.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Verify that the pressure relief valve is fully installed.
5. Reposition the right rear compartment trim.
6. Close the rear compartment.

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System for B6305 (Valve, Rear Compartment Pressure Relief -- Replace).