ev-cooling
EV Coolant Lines
for 2024 Tesla Roadster Tri Motor AWD · AWD
Difficulty
Advanced
Time
3.0 h
Tools
9
Steps
12
Replacement of EV coolant lines on the 2024 Tesla Roadster Tri Motor. This vehicle's architecture is not publicly documented in detail; this procedure covers accessible low-voltage coolant plumbing only and explicitly excludes any HV battery thermal loop work.
Warnings
⚠️DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce any orange cable. The Roadster Tri Motor uses a high-voltage pack — contact is lethal.
⚠️This procedure is limited to accessible low-voltage coolant lines only. If the line you intend to replace connects directly to the HV battery pack, drive units, inverter, or thermal management valves (octovalve/superbottle/heat pump equivalent), STOP — this requires HV training and Tesla Toolbox.
⚠Public service documentation for the 2024 Roadster Tri Motor is extremely limited. Confirm line routing and component identification against Tesla Service Manual before disconnecting anything.
⚠Coolant system may be pressurized even when cold if recently driven. Open reservoir cap slowly to vent pressure before opening any fitting.
⚠Aluminum/composite body and chassis components — do not strike with steel hammers or pry against painted/composite panels.
ℹ️Tesla now recommends battery coolant inspection at 4 years / 50,000 mi. Document service date and mileage after completion.
Tools required
Metric socket set (8-19mm)Essential
Calibrated torque wrench (5-30 Nm range)Essential
Hose clamp pliersEssential
Coolant catch pan (minimum 3 gallon)Essential
Coolant fill/vacuum bleed tool (Airlift-style)Essential
Vehicle lift or jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential
Trim removal tool set
Shop towels and absorbent pads
Sealable container for used coolantEssential
Parts
- Replacement EV coolant line(s) — manufacturer-specified for Roadster Tri Motor × 1 — Refer to Tesla Service Manual / parts catalog for this VIN
- O-rings / quick-connect seals (as required by line type) × 1 — OEM replacement seals
- Spring-band or worm-gear hose clamps (if damaged on removal) × 1 — OEM-equivalent
Fluids
- Tesla Battery/Motor Coolant (G-48 specification) — 10 qt
Preparation
- Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
- Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
- Disconnect the 12V (or 16V/48V on applicable models) low-voltage battery per the manufacturer-specified procedure for this Roadster.
- DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
- If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
- Allow the vehicle to cool completely (minimum 2 hours after last drive) before opening the coolant system.
- Identify, in writing, exactly which coolant line(s) are being replaced and confirm they are NOT part of the HV battery thermal loop. If unsure, stop.
- Raise and support the vehicle on a lift or properly rated jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
- Place a catch pan under the work area; the system holds approximately 10 quarts of coolant.
Procedure
- 1Identify and document line routingPhotograph the coolant line(s) to be replaced from multiple angles, including all connection points, clamp locations, and routing through brackets. The Roadster Tri Motor's plumbing layout is not widely documented; your photos are your only reliable reassembly reference.
- 2Remove access covers and underbody panelsRemove any belly pan, splash shield, or trim panel needed to access the target coolant line(s). Keep fasteners organized by location. Use a trim tool — do not pry against composite panels.⚠The Roadster shares chassis lineage with the Lotus Elise platform on early units; expect non-Tesla-style fasteners and panel clips.Torque specCover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
- 3Relieve coolant system pressureWith the system cold, slowly open the coolant reservoir cap to release any residual pressure. Leave the cap loose to assist draining.⚠Hot coolant under pressure can cause severe burns. Do NOT open the cap on a warm system.
- 4Drain coolantPosition the catch pan beneath the lowest accessible drain or fitting in the loop being serviced. Open the manufacturer-specified drain point and allow the coolant to fully drain. Capture all fluid for proper disposal — Tesla coolant is not to be poured to ground or storm drain.
- 5Disconnect sensors and connectors on the affected lineIf the coolant line being replaced has an inline temperature sensor or quick-connect electrical connector, release the locking tab and disconnect. Do not pull on the wiring harness.Torque specConnector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
- 6Loosen and remove hose clamps / fittingsFor spring-band clamps, use hose clamp pliers and slide clear of the fitting boss. For threaded fittings, loosen with the correct flare/line wrench to avoid rounding. For quick-connect fittings, depress the locking collar evenly and pull straight off — never pry sideways.⚠Residual coolant will spill from any fitting opened — keep the catch pan in position.Torque specHose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)Coolant Line Fittings15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 7Release line from chassis bracketsRemove bracket bolts and any retaining clips securing the line to the chassis. Note the orientation of any anti-chafe sleeves or heat shields.Torque specBracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
- 8Remove the old coolant lineCarefully extract the line, taking care not to damage adjacent harnesses, sensors, or composite panels. Plug both ends with clean shop towels or fitting caps to prevent foreign material entering the system.⚠️If the line you are removing terminates at the HV battery pack, an HV drive unit, or a sealed thermal valve assembly, STOP immediately. This is outside the scope of this procedure.
- 9Inspect mating surfacesInspect each fitting boss for corrosion, scoring, or residual O-ring debris. Clean with a lint-free cloth. Replace any O-ring or seal supplied with the new line. Do not reuse old seals on quick-connect fittings.
- 10Install the replacement coolant lineRoute the new line identically to the original (refer to your photos). Seat each fitting fully — quick-connects should produce an audible click and resist a pull-back tug test. Hand-start all threaded fittings to avoid cross-threading.Torque specCoolant Line Fittings15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 11Secure brackets and clampsReinstall the line into all chassis brackets and torque bracket fasteners. Position hose clamps at their original locations (witness marks visible on the hose) and torque to spec.Torque specBracket Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
- 12Reconnect sensors and electrical connectorsReconnect any temperature sensor or harness connector removed earlier. Verify locking tabs fully engage.Torque specConnector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)Sensor Bolts11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
Reassembly
- Reinstall any belly pan, splash shield, or access cover removed for access; torque cover screws to spec.
- Refill the coolant system with Tesla Battery/Motor Coolant (G-48 specification). Approximate fill capacity is 10 quarts; actual fill will depend on how much of the loop was drained.
- Use a vacuum-fill (Airlift-style) tool to pull the system to vacuum and draw coolant in — this is strongly recommended on EV thermal systems to avoid trapped air pockets.
- Top up the reservoir to the cold-fill mark and install the cap.
- Reconnect the low-voltage battery per the manufacturer-specified sequence.
- Lower the vehicle.
Verification
- With the cap secured, power the vehicle on and allow the thermal management system to circulate. Monitor the coolant reservoir level and top up to the cold-fill line as air purges.
- Inspect every fitting, clamp, and bracket replaced for any sign of weeping or drip — repeat after a short test drive and again after the vehicle has cooled.
- Check the touchscreen for any thermal-system, coolant-level, or pack-temperature alerts. Any new fault code after this procedure is a stop-and-diagnose event.
- Verify no coolant pooling on the underbody pan after the vehicle sits overnight.
- Record service date and mileage. Tesla's current guidance is to inspect battery coolant every 4 years / 50,000 mi — log this service against that interval.
- If any HV-related warning, reduced-power message, or thermal fault appears, do NOT continue driving — have the vehicle evaluated by a Tesla-certified technician.