2025-03-12

A/C Refrigerant (Unknown Oil Quantity or System Flush) (Maintenance)

Correction code 18200112 FRT 0.75 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.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
This procedure requires the A/C Refrigerant (Recovery and Recharge) procedure to be performed. If not already automatically added to the Service Visit, add correction code 18200102 as a separate activity to the Service Visit.

Torque Specifications

Table 1. Torque Specifications: A/C Refrigerant (Unknown Oil Quantity or System Flush) (Maintenance)
Description Torque Value Recommended Tools Reuse/Replace Notes
Bolt that attaches the A/C compressor HV harness bracket to the A/C compressor
9 Nm (6.6 lbs-ft)
  • 13 mm deep socket
 Reuse
A/C compressor ground strap bolt
7 Nm (5.2 lbs-ft)
  • Torx T25 socket
 Reuse

Nuts (x2) that attach the low side and high side pipes to the compressor

A/C flush adapters
22 Nm (16.2 lbs-ft)
  • 13 mm deep socket
 Reuse

Procedure

  1. Set up the AC machine.
  2. Open all doors and lower all windows.
  3. Place the vehicle in Service Mode by using the touchscreen. See Service Mode.
  4. Unlock the vehicle gateway. See Gateway (Unlock).
  5. On the touchscreen, tap the Service Mode "wrench" (at the bottom of the touchscreen UI), and then tap Thermal > Refrigerant System > Start Thermal Fill Drain (Refrigerant only) > Run, and allow the routine to complete.
  6. Move both front seats forward.
  7. Remove the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Replace).
  8. Perform the vehicle HV disablement procedure. See Vehicle HV Disablement Procedure.
  9. Remove the LV battery. See 16V LI - ION BATTERY (Remove and Install).
  10. Disconnect the HVIL connector.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Pull the red tab to disengage the lock, and pull it again to release the connector.
  11. Disconnect the A/C compressor logic connector.
  12. Remove the clip that attaches the harness to the HV harness bracket.
  13. Remove the bolt that attaches the A/C compressor HV harness bracket to the A/C compressor.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 13 mm deep socket
  14. Disconnect the HV harness connector from the A/C compressor.
  15. Remove the HV harness from the compressor and move it aside.
  16. Remove the A/C compressor ground strap bolt.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Torx T25 socket
  17. Remove the clip that attaches the radiator inlet hose to the A/C compressor bracket.
  18. Remove the clips (x4) that attach the coolant hose to the A/C compressor bracket.
  19. Wear appropriate personal protective equipments.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    HFO-R1234yf and R134a are considered hazardous and, if handled incorrectly, can cause serious injury. Suitable personal protective equipment, consisting of face and eye protection, safety glasses, face shield, heat-proof gloves, chemical resistant gloves, rubber boots and apron or waterproof overall must be worn when carrying out operations on the air conditioning system.
  20. Remove the caps from the low side and high side AC ports.
  21. Connect the AC hoses to the vehicle.
  22. Perform the refrigerant system recovery.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Note or print the amount of refrigerant and oil recovered. The oil drained by the AC machine should be less than 20 mL.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    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
  23. Remove the A/C hoses from the vehicle.
  24. Carefully depress the schrader valves to release vacuum from A/C lines.
  25. Remove the nuts (x2) that attach the low side and high side pipes to the compressor.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 13 mm deep socket
  26. Install the A/C flush adapters onto the supermanifold to compressor A/C line assembly.
    22 Nm (16.2 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Install the flush adapters onto the suction and discharge the lines on compressor side. Leave the seal washers on A/C manifold line. Use 13mm nuts from compressor to secure the flush adapters.
  27. Connect the A/C machine hoses to A/C flush adapters.
  28. On the AC machine touchscreen, select Menu > Flush Kit, and enter 25 mins run time and then follow the machine guide to start the flush, and then allow the process to complete.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Minimum of 3200g of refrigerant is needed in tank to run the System Flush procedure.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    System Flush procedure runs for approximately 90 minutes. The machine will perform multiple flush cycles.
  29. Install plugs to the compressor high and low pressure ports and hand-tighten the bolts (x2).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Prevent debris from entering and prevent oil leakage.
  30. Remove the compressor acoustic blanket. See ACOUSTIC BLANKET - AC COMPRESSOR (Remove and Replace).
  31. Weigh the old compressor.
  32. Add oil to the old compressor.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Different brands of compressors may have different dry weights.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    After adding the oil, the total weight = compressor dry weight + 250g.
  33. Install the compressor acoustic blanket. See ACOUSTIC BLANKET - AC COMPRESSOR (Remove and Replace).
  34. Disconnect the A/C machine hoses from the A/C flush adapters.
  35. Remove the A/C flush adapters.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 13 mm deep socket
  36. Remove the plugs from the compressor high and low pressure ports.
  37. Replace the seal washers on the high side and low side pipes, and lubricate the washers with ND-11 oil.
  38. Install the nuts (x2) that attach the low side and high side pipes to the compressor.
    22 Nm (16.2 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 13 mm deep socket
  39. Reconnect the A/C hoses to the vehicle.
  40. Perform the system vacuum and refrigerant refill.
    1. Set the Vacuum time to 20 minutes.
    2. Recharge the refrigerant to car's specification, and add oil quantity as needed.
    3. Select HP/LP PORT for charging, and allow the filling to complete.
  41. Remove the A/C hoses from the vehicle.
  42. Install caps onto the A/C ports.
  43. Install the clips (x4) that attach the coolant hose to the A/C compressor bracket.
  44. Install the clip that attaches the radiator inlet hose to the A/C compressor bracket.
  45. Install the A/C compressor ground strap bolt.
    7 Nm (5.2 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • Torx T25 socket
  46. Install the HV harness to the compressor.
  47. Connect the HV harness connector to the A/C compressor.
  48. Install the bolt that attaches the A/C compressor HV harness bracket to the A/C compressor.
    9 Nm (6.6 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 13 mm deep socket
  49. Install the clip that attaches the harness to the HV harness bracket.
  50. Connect the A/C compressor logic connector.
  51. Connect the HVIL connector.
  52. Install the LV battery. See 16V LI - ION BATTERY (Remove and Install).
  53. Install the 2nd row seat cushion. See 2ND ROW SEAT CUSHION (Remove and Replace).
  54. Connect the LV battery power. See LV Power (Disconnect and Connect).
  55. Unlock the vehicle gateway. See Gateway (Unlock).
  56. On the touchscreen, tap the Service Mode "wrench" (at the bottom of the touchscreen UI), and then tap Thermal > Sensors and Valves > Run Heat Pump Commissioning > Run, and allow the routine to complete.
  57. Exit Service Mode. See Service Mode.
  58. Install the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Replace).
  59. Move both front seats to original position.
  60. Raise all windows and close all doors.