Tesla Model 3: Cooling System (Vacuum Refill)

SPECIAL TOOLS

Refiller, Cooling System (1050448-00-A)

Procedure

Note: It is important that the drive rails remain off throughout this procedure. If the drive rails become active, such as from touching the brake pedal, an error is displayed in Toolbox. If this happens, you must disable the drive rails, and repeat the step where the error occurred.

1. Remove the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Replace).
2. Remove the outer HVAC plenum duct. See Duct - HVAC Plenum - Outer (Remove and Replace).
3. In Toolbox, select Actions and type "thermal" into the search field.
4. Click the play button next to the PROC_VCFRONT_X_THERMAL-FILL-DRAIN action, and then select Run to set the 5-way valve to series mode.
5. Remove the cap from the superbottle

6. Set a container having at least 15 L of coolant in front of the thermal beam and on top of the fan module.
7. Make sure that the end of the coolant refill hose of the vacuum refill tool is fully submerged in the coolant container.

8. Plug the superbottle weep hole with a piece of butyl rope.
9. Attach the vacuum refill tool to the superbottle with the conical adapter.
10. Make sure that coolant refill valve and air inlet valve of the vacuum refill tool are both closed.
11. Place the end of the overflow hose of the vacuum refill tool into an empty container.
12. Connect the supply air line to the vacuum refill tool and make sure the minimum pressure is 5.5 bar (80 psi).
13. Open the air inlet valve and allow the tool to evacuate the cooling system for 10 seconds.
14. Slowly open the coolant refill valve to draw coolant into the coolant refill hose. Close the valve when the hose is full of coolant.
15. Monitor the gauge for 30 seconds to verify that vacuum is maintained in the cooling system.
16. Open the air inlet valve for at least 3 minutes, and when the gauge stops rising, close the valve.
17. Slowly open the coolant refill valve to draw coolant into the cooling system. When the gauge stops moving, close the valve.
18. Open the air inlet valve for at least 3 minutes, and monitor the air bubbles seen in the superbottle.
19. When air bubbles are no longer seen and the gauge stops rising, close the valve.
20. Remove the vacuum refill tool from the superbottle, lift the coolant refill hose from the container, and allow the hose to drain into the container.
21. Disconnect the supply air line from the tool.
22. Remove both coolant containers from the vehicle, and have a coolant refill bottle standing by.
23. Add coolant to the superbottle, so that the liquid level is approximately 6mm (0.25 in) above the MAX line.
24. In Toolbox, type "vcfront" into the search field.
25. Click the play button next to the TEST-RESET_VCFRONT action, and then select Run.
26. Click the play button next to the TEST_VCFRONT_X_THERMAL-COOLANT-AIR-PURGE action, and then select Run.

Note: Monitor the coolant level in the superbottle, and add coolant to keep it approximately 6mm (0.25 in) above the MAX line. Coolant pump speeds can be monitored in Garage, under the PT Thermal tab. If pump speeds exceed 6900 rpm, there is still air entrapped in the system. Repeat the procedure from step 3.

27. If the penthouse cover was removed as part of another procedure, monitor the coolant input and output tubes and fittings for leaks during the air purge.

28. Remove the piece of butyl rope from the superbottle weep hole.

29. Add coolant to the superbottle, so that the liquid level is approximately 6mm (0.25 in) above the MAX line, and then install the cap on the superbottle.
30. Install the outer HVAC plenum duct. See Duct - HVAC Plenum - Outer (Remove and Replace).
31. Install the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Replace).

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