Repairing a Flooded Tesla Model S : HOW-TO

[Btr_ftw]

These are lithium-ion batteries, there is no battery acid.

Salt water is a conductor, this likely shorted the cells... the exact thing you want to avoid because of the explosion you witnessed that could also lead to dramatic fires.

Just because a battery is "dead" does not mean it does not have energy stored in it... lithium is a very reactive chemical, although this isn't lithium metal, there is still lithium ions at the anode (hence the term lithium ion battery) that can and will react violently as we have seen here.

You're lucky this only happened to one cell and didn't get out of hand.

Not to nitpick but there are still Electrolytes which give ions in water just like acids do.

 

[Johan]

I don't quite understand. Did the module explode/burn after you opened it (as in you shorted it) or was it like that when you opened it?

 

[JRP3]

Wow, I am a bit surprised by the extent of the damage ... granted the vehicle was submerged in salt water,
but I would expect Tesla to make improvements in the waterproofing design going forward to better protect the batteries.
What happens when you drive through a flooded intersection and underestimate the depth of the water?

Sitting underwater for hours is an entirely different event. I would assume the pack can keep out short term submersion, or we'd be seeing a lot more dead packs.

 

[Btr_ftw]

I don't quite understand. Did the module explode/burn after you opened it (as in you shorted it) or was it like that when you opened it?

While removing the top cover bolts I could see water bubbles forming around the screws, meaning there was pressure built up inside. Let the pressure out and with all the salt water it was almost impossible to get that cover off easily.

Once cover was off I saw the modules sizzling and bubbling in a mixture of coolant, saltwater, etc.

- - - Updated - - -

The module is literally swollen. Very cool

 

[tga]

... :cursing:... HOW IN THE WORLD IS ANY OF THIS TESLA'S FAULT!? HE LITERALLY RIPPED THE TOP COVER IN HALF!?

Maybe you should stop reading this thread. It seems to be detrimental to your blood pressure...

 

[Electricfan]

UPDATE...

PREVIEW PHOTO BELOW, MORE TO COME, THIS IS NOT YOUR AUNT'S LASAGNE, THIS IS A TESLA BATTERY MODULE IN ITS FINAL RESTING PLACE

I am so sorry. Was hoping for a miracle for you.

 

[Btr_ftw]

I am so sorry. Was hoping for a miracle for you.

Are you kidding me? This is like the lotto for me! More pics to come!

 

[MP3Mike]

Are you kidding me? This is like the lotto for me! More pics to come!

Do we need to send you some money to get a faster Internet connection so we don't have to wait so long for pictures? :wink:

 

[satoshi]

Nothing to do with the removal of the top cover ... we are talking about water penetration while intact.

If this were the case, then the modules would have already exploded when the cover was removed, the fact BTR_FTW witnessed the explosive reaction indicates the water got in after the fact.

 

[AWDtsla]

Sitting underwater for hours is an entirely different event. I would assume the pack can keep out short term submersion, or we'd be seeing a lot more dead packs.

If it can't survive the static pressure of a couple feet of standing water, my confidence that you will not get water in the pack from driving through heavy rain or a large puddles is very very low. Seems like if you happen to drive through a 6-7 inches of water it's done for.

 

[JRP3]

If it can't survive the static pressure of a couple feet of standing water, my confidence that you will not get water in the pack from driving through heavy rain or a large puddles is very very low. Seems like if you happen to drive through a 6-7 inches of water it's done for.

That is likely a regular occurrence, yet dead and/or dying packs are not. So your conclusion would not seem to be supported by reality.

 

[FlatSix911]

If this were the case, then the modules would have already exploded when the cover was removed, the fact BTR_FTW witnessed the explosive reaction indicates the water got in after the fact.

Incorrect, please re-read the thread ...

 

[satoshi]

Incorrect, please re-read the thread ...

"ONE OF THE MODULES LITERALLY EXPLODED AND STARTED DISINTEGRATING BEFORE MY EYES, THE HORROR, THE ODOR!!!!"

Actually pretty accurate it seems...

 

[Btr_ftw]

Actually pretty accurate it seems...

It exploded (which I didn't see)

but I did see the disintegration before my eyes.

 

[satoshi]

Not to nitpick but there are still Electrolytes which give ions in water just like acids do.

Acid is explicitly hydrogen ions...

It exploded (which I didn't see)

but I did see the disintegration before my eyes.

Ah, I see... then we do indeed have reason to fault Tesla's design. Sorry for misunderstanding the intended meaning.

 

[Btr_ftw]

UPDATE

 

[Btr_ftw]

 

[kennybobby]

Looks like we know why the hump was swollen--probably not going to be any good modules up there after all...

 

[JST]

Looks like you need to contact Robert Ballard. He might be able to help.

 

[AntronX]

I wonder if water ingress into submerged pack can be avoided by pressurizing it with exhaust air of brake booster compressor. That would not require costly re-engineering, but only extra air hose, some water sensors and software mods.