Tesla Model S Owners & Service Manuals

Tesla Model S: Debris or moisture in the A/C system

Tesla Model S (2012-2025) Service Manual / Best Practice / Air Conditioning System Precautions / Debris or moisture in the A/C system

Internally or externally damaged components can cause debris and moisture to enter the A/C system. Perform the following procedures if debris or excessive moisture ingress is suspected.

Caution: Do not attempt to use an A/C refrigerant flushing kit with Model S and Model X.

A/C components damaged in a collision, no refrigerant leakage

If no refrigerant leaked from the system, the A/C compressor likely did not run low on refrigerant, so there should be no debris in the A/C system.

  1. Evacuate the refrigerant.
  2. Replace damaged components.
  3. Use the HVAC machine to perform a leak test.
  4. Recharge the refrigerant.
A/C components damaged in a collision, refrigerant leakage

If refrigerant leaked from the system, the A/C compressor likely ran with little to no refrigerant. This could damage the compressor internally, leading to debris in the system.

  1. Evacuate the refrigerant.
  2. Replace the A/C compressor, the sub-cool (RH) condenser, and all components between them: A/C compressor, discharge line, gas-cool (LH) condenser, condenser 1 to condenser 2 line, sub-cool (RH) condenser, and receiver/drier desiccant bag.
  3. Replace damaged components.
  4. Use the HVAC machine to perform a leak test.
  5. Recharge the refrigerant.
A/C system was left open to the environment for an extended time

Ambient moisture entering the system has depleted the receiver/drier dessicant. Debris might have entered the end connections of the open components.

  1. Replace the components that have end connections that were left open.
  2. Replace the receiver/drier desiccant bag.
  3. Recharge the refrigerant.
Precautions for refrigerant recovery, recycling and recharging

When the air conditioning system is discharged/recharged, any existing refrigerant is recovered from the system and recycled. The system is then charged with the required weight of refrigerant and new oil equal in volume to the oil recovered.

Warning: Refrigerant must always be recycled before re-use to ensure that the purity of the refrigerant is high enough for safe use in the air conditioning system.

Warning: Recycling should always be carried out with the recommended equipment. Other equipment may not recycle refrigerant to the required level of purity.

Warning: Never mix different types of refrigerants.

Caution: The system must be evacuated immediately before recharging commences. Delay between evacuation and recharging is not permitted.

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