I know it might be a long shot but this bolt was found where I park my Model 3 Performance. My son kicked it so I'm not sure exactly where it was laying. My Model 3 had been the only thing in the area it was found since I brought the car home so it most likely came from it. I'd like to avoid having to take it to the service center if possible. Especially since they probably have better things to do than check every bolt location on the car and will probably say it's not off the car.
Does anyone have a clue where this bolt might have come off my Model 3?
- Thread starter cOoTeR
- Start date
This bold could be holding the plastic panel under the trunk. The one in the middle comes loose on mine and others reported it missing.
SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
Take measurements, and then take it to a Home Improvement store to match it up by thread
CharleyBC
Active Member
I’m not at my car right now to compare, but I think I recall bolts about like that in the wheel wells. I think I had to remove some when installing mud flaps. Something to check, at least.
AlanSubie4Life
Efficiency Obsessed Member
Can’t quite read all the markings on top of the bolt but as someone said this may be one of many bolts which hold on the front and mid aero covers. There should be a washer around somewhere too.
These bolts are critical for keeping these protective shields intact (see many threads here about water damage), and none should be missing, but Tesla is very bad at tightening them properly. Every new owner should check them. There are about 13 on the rear (mid) cover. And a similar amount on the front cover (not sure of the exact count). There are also some on the rear diffuser. All of them are paired with a washer.
Note on the rear diffuser in the middle one appears missing but it is not (there is no hole for it except on very early VINs). At some point the rear diffuser plastic will be redone and this will no longer be the case.
These shields are for aero, and also protect the motor assemblies and cooling hoses and the oil filters from small road debris.
These bolts are critical for keeping these protective shields intact (see many threads here about water damage), and none should be missing, but Tesla is very bad at tightening them properly. Every new owner should check them. There are about 13 on the rear (mid) cover. And a similar amount on the front cover (not sure of the exact count). There are also some on the rear diffuser. All of them are paired with a washer.
Note on the rear diffuser in the middle one appears missing but it is not (there is no hole for it except on very early VINs). At some point the rear diffuser plastic will be redone and this will no longer be the case.
These shields are for aero, and also protect the motor assemblies and cooling hoses and the oil filters from small road debris.
Dolemite
is my name
AlanSubie4Life
Efficiency Obsessed Member
It's the oil fill plug.
I think that fill plug on the drive unit is probably a bit more robust.
Looks like maybe the oil is filled through the breather plug? Not sure.As far as markings, if you take another picture it'll probably trigger my memory of the manufacturer of those cover bolts. It actually to me looks like it might be not quite right for one of those bolts. Obviously you could take one off or just take a peek and see if it looks like a match - some of them are very easy to see/access particularly on the rear diffuser. I think they may have said "IFI" on them in addition to other markings. Probably grade 8 at least.
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SpudLime
Active Member
AlanSubie4Life
Efficiency Obsessed Member
Well, we definitely don't have blinker fluid, but we do have an oil fill plug somewhere! In fact, we have two of them! But this ain't it.
M109Rider
Active Member
It's the oil fill plug.
Nope. Too small.
It definitely holds on the right side mounted “Dickfer” off of the inverter.
Okay, enough silliness. I'll guess it's one of the bolts holding up the fabric covers. They've been known to be less than tight, and people have found them missing before. I checked mine, and one was loose. You should look around to see if there's a matching washer on the ground.
webbah
Member
Could be for the aero covers but there have been reports of the bolts for the jack points coming loose. I suggest you check those too. I found 2 of mine that needed a bit of tightening.
AlanSubie4Life
Efficiency Obsessed Member
So, so common. It's really remarkable. I guess there are a lot of bolts and they are in a hurry. Sadly, this is something every new owner should check. It just involves rolling & squirming around on the floor or parking lot of the delivery center, which is what I did. Just make sure no one runs over your head by mistake. Three of mine were missing, the rest were tight. Went on the due bill.
webbah
Member
No, cause I heard if you get the fabric undertray wet, it'll sag, tear and then fall off!
From the markings it looks like a SAE bolt which will not be from the car.
Take it to a hardware store and find out what the thread is, if it isn't metric it isn't from the car.
Take it to a hardware store and find out what the thread is, if it isn't metric it isn't from the car.
webbah
Member
I wash mine all the time. That isn’t the issue. The issue is if you drive through a puddle at speed and the force of the water enters the gap between the fabric and metal (like a wave) it will rip it off.
