Tesla Model 3: Penthouse Coolant (Drain and Refill)

Penthouse Coolant- Drain

SPECIAL TOOLS

Drive Unit Pressure Test Fixture (1053600-00-C)

Kit, Coolant Leak Test Adapters, Model 3 (1132185-00-B)

Kit, Coolant Drain & Fill Adapters, M3 (1133843-00-A)

Kit, Svc Plug, Cooling Hose, Model 3 (1135762-00-A)

Kit, Battery Coolant Drain and Fill (GSN-TL-000564)

Drain

1. Disconnect 12V power. See 12V Power (Disconnect and Connect)
2. Remove the mid aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Mid (Remove and Replace).
3. Remove the rear HV battery skid plate. See Skid Plate - HV Battery - Rear (Remove and Replace).
4. Position a coolant drain under the rear RH side of the HV battery

5. Disconnect the rear powertrain supply hose from the RH underside of the penthouse, plug the female fitting of the hose, and allow the battery to drain.
6. Connect the coolant pressure test adapter to the RH side male fitting under the penthouse.
7. Connect the hose from the drive unit pressure test fixture to the coolant pressure test adapter.
8. Close both valves P1 (inlet) and P2 (outlet) on the test fixture, and connect a compressed air supply line.
9. Fully close the regulator, and then open P1 (inlet valve)
10. Set the pressure regulator of the test fixture to 50 psi.
11. Position the coolant drain under the rear LH side of the HV battery

12. Disconnect the rear drive unit inverter inlet hose from the LH underside of the penthouse, plug the female fitting of the hose, and allow the battery to drain.
13. Connect the coolant drain adapter to the LH side male fitting under the penthouse, and direct the tube to the coolant waste container.
14. If the coolant waste container is a bottle, push a shop towel partially into the bottle neck, to prevent coolant from splashing out.
15. Slowly open P2 (outlet valve) to speed the drain.
16. Wait at least 2 minutes for the coolant to fully drain.
17. Close P2 (outlet valve) when no more coolant is expelled.
18. Move the coolant drain under the rear RH side of the HV battery
19. Interchange the coolant pressure test adapter and the coolant drain adapter on the male fittings under the penthouse, and direct the tube to the coolant waste container.
20. Slowly open P2 (outlet valve) to speed the drain.
21. Wait at least 2 minutes for the coolant to fully drain.
22. Close P2 (outlet valve) when no more coolant is expelled.

Caution:

Though not visible, there is still residual coolant in the power conversion system thermal block and input and output tubes. When servicing the power conversion system and input and output tubes, make sure not to spill any coolant, and to immediately wipe up any coolant that has spilled.

23. Disconnect the air supply from the test fixture.
24. Remove the coolant pressure test adapter and coolant drain adapter from the HV battery
25. Perform the service procedures that required the penthouse coolant to be drained.
26. After the components have been replaced, refill the coolant. See Refill.

Penthouse Coolant- Refill

1. Perform a penthouse coolant leak test. See Penthouse Coolant Leak Test.
2. Remove the plugs from the hoses.
3. Connect the rear powertrain supply hose to the RH side of the HV battery, and the rear drive unit inverter inlet hose to the LH side of the HV battery.
4. Move the coolant drain to under the motor.
5. Release the clip that attaches the coolant inlet hose to the heat exchanger.

7. Release the clip and disconnect the coolant inlet hose from the heat exchanger upper fitting.
8. Attach a coolant fill tube to the coolant inlet hose fitting.
9. Pump coolant into the hose until back pressure is felt or coolant overflows
10. Attach the coolant fill tube to the heat exchanger upper fitting.
11. Pump coolant into the heat exchanger until back pressure is felt or coolant overflows.

12. Fasten the clip that attaches the coolant inlet hose to the heat exchanger.
13. If the penthouse cover was removed as part of another procedure, inspect the coolant input and output tubes and fittings for leaks.
14. Remove the coolant drain from under the vehicle.
15. Install the rear HV battery skid plate. See Skid Plate - HV Battery - Rear (Remove and Replace).
16. Install the mid aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Mid (Remove and Replace).
17. Connect 12V power. See 12V Power (Disconnect and Connect).
18. Perform a vacuum refill of the cooling system. See Cooling System (Vacuum Refill).