2025-03-12

A/C Refrigerant (Recovery and Recharge) (Maintenance)

Correction code 18200102 FRT 1.10 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 ServiceManualFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure wearing proper PPE when performing the below procedure.

  • 1501412-00-A OIL INJECTOR, R1234YF
  • 1120026-0x-A AC Service Machine
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Only personnel familiar with both vehicle A/C systems and the A/C machine are permitted to service the systems. Always read and understand the A/C machine operator’s manual before operating the A/C machine.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Refrigerants R134a and R1234yf are hazardous liquids and, if handled incorrectly, can cause serious injury. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), consisting of face protection, heat-proof gloves, rubber boots, and apron or waterproof overalls, must be worn when performing recovery or recharge on the air conditioning system.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Do not breathe refrigerant and lubricant vapor or mist. Exposure might cause personal injury, especially to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Perform service and repairs in a well-ventilated area. If accidental discharge occurs, ventilate the work area before returning to work. Additional health and safety information is available from equipment, refrigerant, and lubricant manufacturers. Refer to manufacturer's instruction manuals and Material Safety Data Sheets.
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Warning
Avoid using an extension cord on the A/C machine whenever possible. If an extension cord is used, it might overheat and cause a fire. If you must use an extension cord, use the shortest extension cord possible with a minimum 14AWG wire rating.
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Warning
Do not use compressed air to pressure test or leak test the A/C machine or the vehicle A/C system. Some mixtures of air and refrigerant are combustible at elevated pressures. These mixtures are potentially dangerous and might result in fire or explosion, causing personal injury or property damage.
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Warning
Be aware of fire hazards. Do not use the A/C machine in the vicinity of spilled or open containers of flammable liquid.
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Warning
If you are operating the A/C machine in an environment where temperatures exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit / 49 degrees Celsius, you must wait 10 minutes between tasks.
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Warning
Never transfer refrigerants to a cylinder or tank unless it is Department of Transportation approved for refilling. DOT approval is indicated by the designation “DOT 4BA” or “DOT 4BW” stamped on a tank’s collar (handle). If a refrigerant tank is overfilled, it might explode. Be aware that when transferring refrigerant into a tank, the safe filling level must be controlled by weight, and must not exceed 60% of the tank’s gross weight rating.
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CAUTION
Only use Tesla-specified refrigerant in the vehicle A/C system and the A/C machine. Do not mix refrigerant types within a vehicle A/C system or in the same container. Mixing refrigerants can severely damage the A/C machine and the vehicle A/C system.
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CAUTION
Only use the specified type of A/C oil. See Fluids and Capacities for A/C oil specifications.
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CAUTION
Do not allow refrigerant oil to come in contact with any surfaces of the vehicle as it might cause damage to the paint, trim, or finish of the vehicle.
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CAUTION
Always keep refrigerant oil in its original container, tightly sealed, and clearly marked so as to prevent contamination of any kind.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Do not over-fill the vehicle’s A/C system with oil. Replace only the exact amount that is removed. Always measure the amount of oil extracted and refill it with that exact amount.
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CAUTION
Always maintain different oil canisters for different types of oil. These canisters should be clearly marked to avoid any cross-contamination between the oils.
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CAUTION
The refrigerant cylinders currently in use as source tanks are disposable cylinders. Before they are discarded, connect the disposable refrigerant cylinder to the recovery equipment and bring to a vacuum to ensure that all of the refrigerant has been removed. Then mark the cylinder “Empty”.
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CAUTION
Always reference the information label to determine the refrigerant capacity of the vehicle. Do not over-fill or under-fill the A/C system with refrigerant.

Recovery

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Failure to follow these recovery instructions could cause catastrophic damage to the A/C system.
  1. Perform a calibration check of the A/C machine. Refer to the A/C machine operator’s manual for instructions on how to perform a calibration check of the A/C machine. If the machine fails the calibration check, do not use the machine until a service representative has calibrated the A/C machine.
  2. Inspect the entire length of the hoses and fittings for degradation, cracks, or damage. Make sure that the condition of the hoses and fittings is such that they will not leak when in service.
  3. Inspect the A/C machine’s power supply cord and plug that they are not damaged and the insulation has not been compromised in any way.
  4. Make sure to use the appropriate type of A/C oil. See Fluids and Capacities for A/C oil specifications.
  5. Open the LH front door and fully lower the LH front window.
  6. On the touchscreen, turn the A/C and blower motor off.
  7. Open the hood.
  8. Enable Service Mode. See Service Mode.
  9. Access the thermal system service touchscreen menu.
    1. Touch the Service Mode "wrench" (at the bottom of the touchscreen UI) > Diagnostics > Thermal.
      Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
      Note
      On vehicles with older firmware, touch Quick Controls > Service Mode > Diagnostics > Thermal.
    2. Place the vehicle key on the phone dock.
    3. Simultaneously hold the right turn signal and press the brake pedal for 10 seconds.
  10. On the touchscreen, touch the "Start" button next to "Start Thermal Fill Drain (Refrigerant Only)", and then touch Run Task. Close the pop-up window once the routine has passed.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure the "Refrigerant" indicator on the touchscreen is green and "Ready for Recharge/Reclaim".
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The Thermal Fill/Drain routine has a 5 hour time limit. After 5 hours, the EXVs will close and the routine must be performed again.
  11. Remove the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace).
  12. Remove the HEPA filter assembly. See HEPA Filter Assembly (Remove and Replace).
  13. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    R134a and r1234yf refrigerants are dangerous liquids and can cause serious injury if handled improperly. When recycling or recharging the air conditioning system, you must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face shields, heat-resistant gloves, rubber boots, aprons or waterproof overalls.
  14. Remove the caps from the A/C high pressure and low pressure ports.
  15. Connect the red high pressure hose to the vehicle's high pressure port, and the blue low pressure hose to the vehicle's low pressure port.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The high pressure and low pressure ports are of different sizes, and match the hose couplers accordingly.
  16. Take note of the current oil level in the A/C machine oil tank, or understand how to use the A/C machine UI to note the amount of oil recovered after recovery is complete.
  17. Make sure the "Refrigerant" indicator on the touchscreen is green and "Ready for Recharge/Reclaim".
  18. Follow the A/C machine instructions for recovering refrigerant from the vehicle.
  19. Measure the quantity of refrigerant recovered from the system. It should be approximately 1000 - 1040 g. Record the quantity recovered in the notes section of the Repair Order.

Vacuum Leak Test and Oil Injection

  1. On the vehicle touchscreen, verify that the system is in Recharge/Reclaim mode. If the vehicle is not in Recharge/Reclaim mode, activate Recharge/Reclaim mode and verify that the green status indicator is present.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The status indicator will be red if the mode is inactive.
  2. On the A/C machine, enter 1.02 kg (1020 g) of "Refrigerant Charge", and then select GO.
  3. Perform steps 1-3 as instructed by the A/C machine. After completing step 3, touch Next to begin the vacuum leak test.
  4. The A/C machine will pull vacuum for 5 minutes, perform a vacuum decay test for another 5 minutes, and then perform a pressure test.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    After the pressure test, make to let the A/C machine pull vacuum for at least 15 minutes to remove moisture from the system.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    After the vacuum ends, DO NOT touch Next on the A/C machine. Oil injection, described in the following steps, must be performed before touching Next.

  5. Measure the quantity of oil recovered from the vehicle's A/C system by comparing the level change in the oil recovery tank. Refer to the table below to determine the quantity of oil to add to the A/C system during recharge, assuming that no components are being replaced.
    Amount of Drained Oil from A/C Machine in grams or ml Amount of Oil to Add to A/C System During Recharge in grams or ml
    10 10
    20 20
    30 30
    40 42
    50 55
    60 67
    70 80
    80 92
    90 105
    100 117
    110 130
    120 142
    130 155
    140 167
    150 180
  6. In addition to the previous step, add an additional amount of oil if the component being serviced is listed in the following table:
    Serviced Component Additional Amount of Oil to Add in grams or ml
    HVAC Module Assembly 40
    Liquid-cooled Condenser 20
    Battery Chiller 20
    Supermanifold to Compressor A/C Line 10
    Refrigerant Valves (EXV's, Shut Off Valves, Check Valves) Visually estimate and replenish the amount of oil lost, if spillage of less than ~5 ml is observed during component removal
    Supermanifold to HVAC A/C Line
  7. Inject oil into the vehicle:
    • North America/APAC
      1. Remove the low pressure hose from the A/C manifold to HVAC assembly.
      2. Using an oil injector, add the quantity of oil determined in steps 5 and 6.
        Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
        CAUTION
        DO NOT add oil via the A/C machine if prompted. Only use an oil injector.
      3. Install the low pressure hose to the A/C manifold to HVAC assembly.
    • EMEA

      Follow the prompts on the A/C machine display to add the quantity of oil determined in steps 5 and 6.

Recharge

  1. Touch Next, and then follow the A/C machine instructions to perform an A/C refrigerant recharge.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    For Robinair machines, DO NOT accept the step to clear out residual oil. Press ESC to decline.
  2. When refrigerant is recharged, touch Next to start the "End of Charge" process.
  3. When prompted, close the high and low valves on the machine, and then tap NEXT.
  4. On the touchscreen, touch the "Start" button next to "Stop Thermal Fill Drain", and then touch Run Task. Close the pop-up window once the routine has passed.
  5. On the touchscreen, touch the "Start" button next to "Run Heat Pump Commissioning", and then close the pop-up window once the routine has passed.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The status for the routine will change from "INACTIVE" to "RUNNING" once started.
  6. On the vehicle touchscreen, set the A/C system to the following, and then tap NEXT on the A/C machine.
    • A/C power: On
    • Temp: LO
    • Airflow Controllers: On
    • Fresh Air Mode: On
    • Blower Speed: 3
  7. On the A/C machine, verify the discharge pressure does not exceed 26 bar and suction pressure is not below 1.15 bar, and then tap NEXT.
  8. Turn the vehicle A/C off and allow the pressures to stabilize, as indicated on the A/C machine.
  9. Close and remove the high pressure hose from the vehicle, and then tap NEXT.
  10. On the vehicle touchscreen, set the A/C system to the following.
    • A/C power: On
    • Temp: LO
    • Airflow Controllers: On
    • Fresh Air Mode: On
    • Blower Speed: 3
  11. Allow the A/C system pressures to stabilize, and then close and remove the low pressure hose.
  12. Follow the A/C machine instructions to clear the A/C hoses.
  13. Install the caps on the A/C high pressure and low pressure ports.
  14. Access the thermal system service touchscreen menu: Touch the Service Mode "wrench" (at the bottom of the touchscreen UI) > Diagnostics > Thermal.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    On vehicles with older firmware, touch Quick Controls > Service Mode > Diagnostics > Thermal.
  15. Scroll up on the touchscreen, touch the "Start" button next to "Test HVAC Performance", and then close the pop-up window once the routine has passed.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The status for the routine will change from "INACTIVE" to "RUNNING" once started.
  16. Scroll up on the touchscreen, touch the "Start" button next to "Test Thermal Performance", and then close the pop-up window once the routine has passed.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The status for the routine will change from "INACTIVE" to "RUNNING" once started.
  17. If previously removed, install the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Replace).
  18. Install the HEPA filter assembly. See HEPA Filter Assembly (Remove and Replace).
  19. Install the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace).
  20. Disable Service Mode. See Service Mode.