2025-02-12

Cooling System (Drain and refill)

Correction code 18300100 FRT 0.60 NOTE: Unless otherwise explicitly stated in the procedure, the above correction code and FRT reflect all of the work required to perform this procedure, including the linked procedures. Do not stack correction codes unless explicitly told to do so. NOTE: See Flat Rate Times to learn more about FRTs and how they are created. To provide feedback on FRT values, email LaborTimeFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure wearing proper PPE when performing the below procedure.

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Warning
This procedure is a DRAFT. Although it has been validated, Warnings and Cautions might be missing. Follow safety requirements and use extreme caution when working on or near High Voltage systems and components. Provide corrections and feedback to ServiceDevelopment@teslamotors.com.

Special tools required for this procedure:

Part Number Description
1140501-00-A Kit, Encl Leak Test, HV Battery
1135762-00-A Kit, SVC Plug, Cooling Hose, Model 3
1080568-00-A Oil/Coolant Catcher
1050448-00-B Refiller, Cooling System
1065131-00-A Kit, Battery Coolant Drain & Fill
1082768-00-B Refractometer

Drain

  1. Open the front LH door.
  2. Lower the LH front window.
  3. Raise and support the vehicle on a 2 post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Stands.
  4. Perform Vehicle HV Disablement Procedure. See .Vehicle HV Disablement Procedure.
  5. Remove the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace).
  6. Remove the fresh intake duct. See Duct - Air Intake (Remove and Replace).
  7. Connect LV Power. See LV Power (Disconnect and Connect).
  8. Put the vehicle in Service Mode. See Service Mode.
  9. Access the thermal system routines on the touchscreen: Touch Quick Controls > Service Mode > Diagnostics > Thermal.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Authorize routines by holding the turn signal stalk full up (right hand turn) while applying brake with the key in the vehicle.
  10. Touch Start Thermal Fill Drain (Coolant Only) on the touchscreen.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Touch the X at the top left of window to close once completed.
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    Note
    Verify the indicator displays green and the vehicle is ready for the coolant fill/drain.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Thermal "Fill Drain" routine has a 5 hour time limit. After 5 hours, the routine must be performed again.
  11. Disconnect12V/ LV power. See LV Power (Disconnect and Connect).
  12. Remove coolant bottle cap.
  13. Install the coolant reservoir pressure test adapter onto the coolant bottle assembly.
  14. Connect a enclosure leak tester (1140501-00-A) onto the coolant reservoir pressure test adapter.
  15. Fully raise the vehicle.
  16. Remove the bolt and release the push clips (x3), and then and remove the RH front wheel liner from the HV battery.
    5 Nm (3.7 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 10 mm socket
  17. Secure the RH front wheel liner away from the HV battery with a bungee cord.
  18. Put a coolant drain container below the RH front of the vehicle.
  19. Disconnect the PT supply hose.
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    Note
    Plug the hose connections, as needed.
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    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Pick Radiator Hose Soft Grip 10.30in
    • Coolant Hose Plug Kit (1135762-00-A)
    • Fluid Catcher (1080568-00-A)
  20. Close both valves on the regulator.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Enclosure Leak Test Kit (1140501-00-A)
    • Coolant Reservoir Pressure Test Adapter
  21. Connect the regulator to air supply.
  22. Turn the right side regulator valve to the open position.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Turn the valve knob to a horizontal position. The valve is fully open.
  23. Set the regulator to 5.0 psi.
  24. Slowly open the left side regulator valve and allow the coolant to completely drain.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Hold the HV battery RH front inlet hose over the fluid catcher.
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    Note
    Let the regulator hose hang off vehicle, as needed.
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    Note
    Allow about 15L of coolant to drain from the vehicle.
  25. Close the valves on regulator once no coolant is draining from the HV battery RH front inlet port and hose.
  26. Disconnect the air supply from the regulator tool.
  27. Connect the PT supply hose, and then secure it with clips (x2).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Remove the plugs as needed.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Perform a push-pull-push test of the hose.
  28. Remove the coolant drain container from underneath the vehicle.
  29. Release the bungee cord from the RH front wheel liner.
  30. Install the bolt and fasten the push clips (x3) that attach the RH front wheel liner to the HV battery, and then lower the wheel well area.
    5 Nm (3.7 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 10 mm socket
  31. Lower the vehicle until the tires are touching the ground.
  32. Disconnect the enclosure leak tester from the coolant reservoir pressure test adapter.
  33. Remove the coolant reservoir pressure test adapter from the coolant bottle assembly.

Refill

  1. Put an empty coolant container into the front storage area of the underhood storage unit.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Battery Coolant Drain Kit (1065131-00-A)
  2. Fill another container with at least 15L of coolant.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Battery Coolant Drain Kit (1065131-00-A)
  3. Put the filled coolant container into front storage area of the underhood storage unit.
  4. Setup the vacuum refill tool.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Verify all valves on refill tool are in the closed position.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Vacuum Refill Tool (1050448-00-B)
    • Battery Coolant Drain Kit (1065131-00-A)
  5. Install the refill tool cap onto the coolant bottle assembly.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Vacuum Refill Tool (1050448-00-B)
    • Battery Coolant Drain Kit (1065131-00-A)
  6. Setup the vacuum refill tool.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Verify all valves on the refill tool are in the closed position.
  7. Install the vacuum refill hose into the refill cap on the coolant bottle.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Perform a push-pull-push test to verify the hose is fully engaged.
  8. Position the overflow hose into the empty container.
  9. Place the refill hose inside the filled coolant container.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure the hose end is fully submerged into coolant.
  10. Connect shop air supply to the coolant refill tool.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If not already done, verify the refill valve is set to off.
  11. Open the air inlet valve to draw a vacuum. Once the gauge stabilizes, fully close the valve.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Gauge stabilizes roughly (60-70 cmHg).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Vacuum should not drop after the valves are closed.
  12. Slowly open the refill valve to allow coolant to be drawn into the cooling system.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure the hose end of the refill hose is fully submerged during entire process.
  13. Once the gauge reads zero, close the refill valve.
  14. Disconnect the shop air supply from the coolant refill tool.
  15. Remove the coolant refill hose from the coolant container..
  16. Remove the coolant overflow hose from the coolant container.
  17. Remove the vacuum refill hose from the refill cap on the coolant bottle.
  18. Remove vacuum refill cap from the coolant bottle assembly.
  19. Remove the coolant refill tool from the vehicle.
  20. Remove both coolant containers from the underhood storage unit.
  21. Reconnect 12V/LV power. See LV Power (Disconnect and Connect).
  22. Fill the coolant to the proper level.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure that the fluid level filled to the Max line.
  23. Access the thermal system routines on the touchscreen: Touch Quick Controls > Service Mode > Diagnostics > Thermal.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Authorize routines by holding the turn signal stalk full up (right hand turn) while applying brake with the key in the vehicle.
  24. Touch Start Coolant Air Purge on the touchscreen.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Wait until the coolant pumps stop to run (audible noise). The "Success" display will appear shortly, but the coolant pumps will run for 10 minutes.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    If you start the next procedure during this time, this routine will fail. Make sure vehicle is not in Drive. Plan is still running despite the stop message.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Coolant pump speeds can be monitored in garage under PT Thermal tab (idle speed = ~1500 RPM). Test will vary speeds from 3500 RPM to 6500 RPM and actuate valve between SERIES and PARALLEL. Shifting the vehicle into Drive will stop this routine. If the coolant pump speeds hover at 7000 RPM, that means the coolant pumps are air locked. Perform the vacuum fill again.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Continue to add coolant and purge until the coolant level reaches between the NOM and MAX lines on the coolant bottle.
  25. Inspect the coolant level on the coolant bottle, and top off as necessary.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure to use G-48 coolant.
  26. Verify the refractometer (1082768-00-B) is calibrated:
    1. Put 3 drops of distilled water on the main prism, and then close the daylight plate.
    2. Hold the refractometer up to a light, and then look into eyepiece. If the lower white field is not at waterline, then calibrate the refractometer.
  27. Inspect the reservoir coolant:
    1. Wipe clean the main prism with a clean, dry cloth.
    2. Put 3 drops of coolant on the main prism, and then close the daylight plate.
    3. Hold the refractometer up to a light, and then look into the eyepiece:
      • If the lower white field is at -32 degrees Celsius (-26 degrees Fahrenheit) or colder, then the coolant freezing point temperate is within specifications. Continue to the next step.
      • If the lower white field is at -31 degrees Celsius (-25 degrees Fahrenheit) or warmer, then repeat this procedure.
  28. Install the coolant bottle cap.
  29. Install the fresh intake duct. See Duct - Air Intake (Remove and Replace).
  30. Install the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace).
  31. Close the hood.
  32. Remove the vehicle from the lift.
  33. Exit Service Mode. See Service Mode.
  34. Raise the LH front window and close the LH front door.