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Model 3 rotor overheat

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Tadros, Feb 7, 2021.

  1. Tadros

    Tadros New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2021
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    53711
    Greetings all. I have a recurring rotor overheat issue I'd love your thoughts on.

    June 2018 bought rwd long range model 3.

    April 2020 rear motor fails and is replaced under warranty.

    December 24, after 45 min of driving in 15F temp, rotor starts to overheat at highway speeds causing significant loss of drive power with speed decreasing from 75 setpoint down to around 60 on mild uphills despite accelerator pedal fully depressed. Similar situation occurred a week later.

    Service determined motor coolant was overfilled from the factory at 2.5 L instead of 2.3L

    Feb 3 2021, same issue. 10F, after driving 40 min with heater on, loss of acceleration / limitation of drive power, decrease in speed from 75 to 55 while going up a moderate hill. I assume this will be another rotor overheat.

    Any idea what would be causing inadequate rotor cooling in very cold outdoor temperatures? Service appt scheduled for Feb 10.
     
  2. arnis

    arnis Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2015
    Messages:
    919
    Location:
    Estonia
    "coolant overfill" can't do that.
    I suspect problem with circulation. For example octovalve isn't working right or something more awesome,
    for example, hoses are reversed. It is also possible that coolant pump reports it runs but actually it doesn't.

    Last motor failed due to overheat? Well.. Tesla needs to fix software - overheat protection should actually PROTECT.
     
    • Like x 1
  3. ThomasD

    ThomasD Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2019
    Messages:
    827
    Location:
    florida
    Ice forming in lines leading to pump cavitation
     
  4. Tadros

    Tadros New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2021
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    53711
    Re: Thomas, yeah, I imagine that's it, it just seems odd that the coolant would do that. any idea what the composition of the rotor coolant is? If it's a glycol base like ice engines, one would think that the guys in Milwaukee doing the install would get the antifreeze mixture right. If it's oil-based, how would water be getting into that circuit?

    Re: arnis, I'm not really sure how the previous motor failed. One morning I came out and the entire high voltage circuit wasn't engaging, had the car towed and they said that it was something in the motor. I didn't have any similar high temperature problems, so I think the prior motor failure was something different. I'll let you know what they find with the service.
     
  5. Tadros

    Tadros New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2021
    Messages:
    3
    Location:
    53711
    Word from Tesla Service is that an occlusion / ice in the coolant line would cause many additional alarms to pop up which didn't occur. However, 'oil' leaking from the motor would cause this picture. Motor was swapped out under warranty, will update if this doesn't resolve the issue. Thanks all!
     

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