The cabin air doesn't blow across the radiator, so cleaning it cannot impact the amount of cabin airflow. That said, it can increase the effectiveness of your air conditioner, because the radiator acts as a heat exchanger for your AC. But it won't blow more air.
This is why every Tesla owner should invest in a radiator grill cover, an easy after-market mod that is inexpensive and will save you from ever having to do this work.
Ive installed the grill screen on our family’s 2 M3s and one MYP. Lots of accumulated leaves, road trash, bugs, etc. which would otherwise have gone into the radiator. Now just hose them off
Absolutely. One of the first things I did along with clear PPF on the front. The grille cover is inexpensive, looks good and is just a fancy screen that does NOT substantially reduce air flow. Blessed by my local Tesla service center….
This was the problem with my M3 when Tesla mis-diagnosed it 2 times. Symptoms were the outside air temp indicator would suddenly start increasing to +25C higher than the actual outside temp. The car would "panic" and the rad fan would turn on high trying to save the battery from overheating. Battery was fine but it thought it was too hot. The car prioritized cooling the battery at the expense of no AC for the cabin. The 1st visit they told me they had to replace the radiator fan/motor and a shroud service ($1650), didn't fix it, the 2nd visit it was the supermanifold (Heat pump), and a new AC condenser ($3300), didn't fix it. The 3rd visit they realized the radiator was plugged. Cleaned it for free and my car was back to normal. Still in discussions trying to get some money back. No luck so far...
Even with a grill cover you will still get dirt and dust in there that will accumulate. What some don't know is that cooling is needed when supercharging. My ac shut down during supercharging and found out that the radiator was pretty clogged. I rinsed it instead by prying the plastic inside the frunk. My ac was better, never shut down during supercharging and the airflow was quieter because there was not a lot of turbulence.
For my Mod Y 2024 I bought a screen for the air intake from T-Parts I believe so nothing larger than about .125" square can get past to clog the radiator. All I have to do is vacuum the screen to keep it clear. Eventually I will have to do a deep clean but at least no stone or larger debris can enter.
so true, checked our 3 year old M3 this summer, radiator/condensor had too much dirt it it, will clog and will cause trouble, clean it, but be careful, use only approved condensor cleaner if you wet clean it, otherwise it will corrode soon
When you have the frunk open, you need to be very gentle with the coil fins... if you bend them, they can't be bent back. Best thing is to clean the same way an HVAC tech cleans condenser coils of an air conditioner... you buy a spray on cleaner and hose it off. A bit more than that... find videos on AC condenser cleaning.
Great tip - thanks. I did mine today. I didn’t have a good vac but I do have a good blower. Using that along with careful use of some bent clothes hanger wire I was able to clean it well.
@@peterhelm522 now why didn’t I think of that! 😅 I think my shop vac has random stuff inside of it from 3-5 years of collection,,, 😬 This DIY job is definitely a must - I’m surprised it’s not more well-known or recommended as part of the regular maintenance by Tesla. It will keep your fans running smoother and prevent a bunch of other issues from occurring.
Reading the comments, radiator grill cover seems like the go. But if I was cleaning would wash it out. The improvised cardboard tube attached to vacuum while it isn't that hard it could bend the radiator cooling fins. If really dirty spray on aircon cleaning product then wash it off.
I cleaned mine out a year ago- LOTS of rubbish, insects and leaves. I then added a front filter screen which goes right at the very front- probably reduces airflow a bit, but keeps the inside spotless.
That is not a radiator; it is an evaporator. Radiators are used in liquid cooling/heating; this is for refrigerant (R134a) meaning there is no liquid contained within. I appreciate the tip and the tutorial but nomenclature is important for good communication. Also, other commenters have pointed out that this particular condenser does not feed to cabin air. There is a separate system for the cabin environment.
It doesn’t reduce the cabin ventilation as the cabin air intake is at a different place : at the bottom left of windshield. The only issue is more noise when battery thermal regulation is needed and slightly increased charging time as when the battery is too hot, charging rate will decrease.
Weird...This morning I decided to clean the filter on my 2023 MYLR. Before I could start the DIY search on UA-cam, your video was already at the top of my list. Nice timing!
Lots of folks talking about installing a "screen" to protect this area. But no links? Suggestions for best one? After almost 7 years of ownership, this is the first I'm hearing of an aftermarket screen for this.
I didn't see much debris when compared to the size of the radiator. Debris not even covering 10% of the radiator area and mostly on the edge. I'd say leave as is unless you have a lot less air flow.
My system was throwing climate control errors after spending 5 weeks at the body shop. They saw it was low on coolant and charged it. Then it started making a loud sound. Luckily Tesla replaced it under warranty but if I’d know this, I would’ve looked the day I took delivery.
I found all the ground connections, there was a little rust on some in my Model 3, sprayed then with a product called Rustcure. In my Y did the spray when it was new. Rust on ground connections is a bad thing.
@@techgeektesla Pulled out the frunk liner cover. Take off the rear motor underside cover, while at it remove all the dirt inside, also while at it spray the motor oil filter, can rot through from the outside. Take off the front underside motor cover. Thats as much as I did, sprayed all the ground connections I could find, there may be more.
@@hsiaohu2959 omg, please send me a picture of what it looks like in there. Whenever you get to it. No rush. I would like to share with everyone. You can send to me on X at @jonbbc.
If all that debris accumulates just from driving around, then all you should need to do is drive in reverse to get the debris out. Ferris told me this works. 😂
@@zadigre If you remove the front bumper and have full access to this area, then yes, I would recommend doing that. This is intended to be a quick maintenance procedure to get the main debris items out of there. 👍
❤anyone that has access to a SEBO or Miele Dealer Shop can get an under frig or oven vacuum flat extension to clean the radiator safely for under 15 usd.
I had to clean out my radiator recently on my 2021 model S( I didn’t have to remove the bumper) I had a protector on my model Y performance that I purchased from Amazon but for the Model S I could not find one. I had to make one out of gutter mesh (black in color) that I purchased from Home Depot. I shaped it to blend in and used plastic black stripes to secure it to the grill. Works great 😊 subscribed. Ps I had cigarette buds , bugs and and a ton of leaves. Central Florida where I live has tons of oak trees 😮
If you don't remove the front bumper, you can't completely clean both radiator coils. To really clean both radiators, you have to pressure wash them. And the only way to pressure wash them is to remove the plastic cowling after the front bumper is removed. This is better than nothing, and it will make a difference, but your radiators are still clogged with dirt, dead bugs and debris. Pressure washing will clean them all the way through.. Using your system, you can also use coil cleaner (Home Depot sells it for about $15) and you can use a hose with a pressure nozzle. If you have a portable steam cleaner (they are pretty cheap), you can also use it to get rid of trapped debris.
@@dvader3263 Says someone who has never cleaned the two radiators in a Tesla Model 3. A HOSE with a pressure nozzle won't hurt the radiators. A PRESSURE WASHER used correctly will not hurt the radiators. There are videos of individuals using pressure washers to clean Model 3 radiators on UA-cam. You DO have a point, though, because the fins on the Model 3 radiators are soft and easily bent. So you have to be very careful to choose the right pressure settings when you pressure wash the radiators. That is a good point, and I am glad that you brought it up. For everyone, be careful when you wash the radiator fins, because they do bend easily.
@@franklong6269I have owned more than a few dozen vehicles, old and new, have done a lot of home remodeling and maintenance and cleaning of exterior A/C units, along with all of my vehicle maintenance for several decades, including flushing vehicle radiators, replacing radiators, installation of vehicle finned oil and fluid coolers, plate and fin oil/fluid coolers and stacked plate oil and fluid coolers. Attempting to pressure wash a radiator is a bad idea for most people, especially considering how easy it is to bend delicate radiator fins if using a high powered pressure washer with a narrow angle nozzle. Ask any radiator shop if using a high PSI pressure washer to clean an exposed radiator is a good idea for just anyone to attempt. They'll say no. I installed an aftermarket screen on our 2021 Model 3 and 2023 Model Y right after purchasing them when new. There were small stones lying on the front radiator of the Model 3, as it had been delivered to our home on December 31, 2021 in a location where there was a dusting of snow and a bit of ice. Gravel had been laid down on the local roads by County gravel trucks. Upon close inspection of the vehicle after delivery, I noticed some approximately 1/8 inch diameter red rocks (possibly lava) sitting on the fins and plastic housing when looking through the front grill of the Model 3. I ordered a front grill screen for the vehicle that night. Unless you're a really old person, or you're a mechanic or HVAC technician, U probably don't have more experience with cars and home radiator or A/C coils and fins than I do. And if U do have more experience than I, you've given some bad advice for the World to see.
My 2023 model Y looks like that, the radiator is at a 45% angle and can be seen from the slot in the bumper. I have seen some people getting a rock chip that damaged the coils though.
The cabin air doesn't blow across the radiator, so cleaning it cannot impact the amount of cabin airflow.
That said, it can increase the effectiveness of your air conditioner, because the radiator acts as a heat exchanger for your AC. But it won't blow more air.
@@ZipZoomZip excellent point! Pinning this comment. Thanks.
This is why every Tesla owner should invest in a radiator grill cover, an easy after-market mod that is inexpensive and will save you from ever having to do this work.
I installed on my 3, still need to install on the Y.
Good tip! Seems like they should come with these from the factory.
Ive installed the grill screen on our family’s 2 M3s and one MYP. Lots of accumulated leaves, road trash, bugs, etc. which would otherwise have gone into the radiator. Now just hose them off
Absolutely. One of the first things I did along with clear PPF on the front. The grille cover is inexpensive, looks good and is just a fancy screen that does NOT substantially reduce air flow. Blessed by my local Tesla service center….
link?
This was the problem with my M3 when Tesla mis-diagnosed it 2 times. Symptoms were the outside air temp indicator would suddenly start increasing to +25C higher than the actual outside temp. The car would "panic" and the rad fan would turn on high trying to save the battery from overheating. Battery was fine but it thought it was too hot. The car prioritized cooling the battery at the expense of no AC for the cabin. The 1st visit they told me they had to replace the radiator fan/motor and a shroud service ($1650), didn't fix it, the 2nd visit it was the supermanifold (Heat pump), and a new AC condenser ($3300), didn't fix it. The 3rd visit they realized the radiator was plugged. Cleaned it for free and my car was back to normal. Still in discussions trying to get some money back. No luck so far...
This is a valid tip for ALL automobiles. Clean your radiators/condensers/evaporators.
Even with a grill cover you will still get dirt and dust in there that will accumulate.
What some don't know is that cooling is needed when supercharging. My ac shut down during supercharging and found out that the radiator was pretty clogged. I rinsed it instead by prying the plastic inside the frunk. My ac was better, never shut down during supercharging and the airflow was quieter because there was not a lot of turbulence.
For my Mod Y 2024 I bought a screen for the air intake from T-Parts I believe so nothing larger than about .125" square can get past to clog the radiator. All I have to do is vacuum the screen to keep it clear. Eventually I will have to do a deep clean but at least no stone or larger debris can enter.
so true, checked our 3 year old M3 this summer, radiator/condensor had too much dirt it it, will clog and will cause trouble, clean it, but be careful, use only approved condensor cleaner if you wet clean it, otherwise it will corrode soon
You need a protective screen that snaps on to the front air intake (many are available), I have had that since new and no debris since!
Thank you. It always surprised me that this is not explained in so many other maintenance lists.
Thanks for the great video. Adding this to my annual maintenance list.
When you have the frunk open, you need to be very gentle with the coil fins... if you bend them, they can't be bent back. Best thing is to clean the same way an HVAC tech cleans condenser coils of an air conditioner... you buy a spray on cleaner and hose it off. A bit more than that... find videos on AC condenser cleaning.
Don't tesla provide service for this?
Great how-to video! Thank you!
Cheers, Eric
Great tip - thanks. I did mine today. I didn’t have a good vac but I do have a good blower. Using that along with careful use of some bent clothes hanger wire I was able to clean it well.
Thanks for this video! Small tip: You could have showed how much debries was in your vacuum cleaner box.
@@peterhelm522 now why didn’t I think of that! 😅 I think my shop vac has random stuff inside of it from 3-5 years of collection,,, 😬 This DIY job is definitely a must - I’m surprised it’s not more well-known or recommended as part of the regular maintenance by Tesla. It will keep your fans running smoother and prevent a bunch of other issues from occurring.
Cut the plastic panel in half for easy access and tape it back together.
Love your humming during the vacuuming operation.
@@davidstockbridge LMAO, you noticed that?!?!!! 😳
It was pretty audible, but I thought it was funny because it matched the audio you piped in at times.
Reading the comments, radiator grill cover seems like the go. But if I was cleaning would wash it out. The improvised cardboard tube attached to vacuum while it isn't that hard it could bend the radiator cooling fins. If really dirty spray on aircon cleaning product then wash it off.
That condenser is involved in battery cooling as well so this maintenance may help afford faster charging and battery protection
Do Tesla service centers or Tesla remote service techs clean radiators?
I cleaned mine out a year ago- LOTS of rubbish, insects and leaves. I then added a front filter screen which goes right at the very front- probably reduces airflow a bit, but keeps the inside spotless.
I bought a vent blocker for the leaves when I drive... works great. I've yet had the time to do a deep clean. I don't have a garage.
That is not a radiator; it is an evaporator. Radiators are used in liquid cooling/heating; this is for refrigerant (R134a) meaning there is no liquid contained within. I appreciate the tip and the tutorial but nomenclature is important for good communication. Also, other commenters have pointed out that this particular condenser does not feed to cabin air. There is a separate system for the cabin environment.
Installed the grill on our Y tonight.
Get a crevice tool for your shop vac, totally worth it!
I imagine he has one but decided the cardboard would be less likely to bend the metal.
It doesn’t reduce the cabin ventilation as the cabin air intake is at a different place : at the bottom left of windshield. The only issue is more noise when battery thermal regulation is needed and slightly increased charging time as when the battery is too hot, charging rate will decrease.
Is there anyway to screen off the intake or add a filter to the intake?
Weird...This morning I decided to clean the filter on my 2023 MYLR. Before I could start the DIY search on UA-cam, your video was already at the top of my list. Nice timing!
They're watching you.....beware!
Lots of folks talking about installing a "screen" to protect this area. But no links? Suggestions for best one? After almost 7 years of ownership, this is the first I'm hearing of an aftermarket screen for this.
@@darelldd good question. I think @epcalderhead might know how to create and install a screen!
Useful, thanks.
Thank-you for the information. That would-of been a good time to spray some coil cleaner on same.
Good tip. Thanks!
Great video!
Merci beaucoup pour cette très bonne vidéo et surtout cet entretien 😊😊😊amitiés d’Alsace d’un Tesla owner
Do you need to spray that ac condenser spray thing everyone uses for the cabin filter?
I didn't see much debris when compared to the size of the radiator. Debris not even covering 10% of the radiator area and mostly on the edge.
I'd say leave as is unless you have a lot less air flow.
My system was throwing climate control errors after spending 5 weeks at the body shop. They saw it was low on coolant and charged it. Then it started making a loud sound. Luckily Tesla replaced it under warranty but if I’d know this, I would’ve looked the day I took delivery.
I found all the ground connections, there was a little rust on some in my Model 3, sprayed then with a product called Rustcure. In my Y did the spray when it was new. Rust on ground connections is a bad thing.
@@universeisundernoobligatio3283 nice! How did you find all of the ground connections, and how many were there?
@@techgeektesla
Pulled out the frunk liner cover.
Take off the rear motor underside cover, while at it remove all the dirt inside, also while at it spray the motor oil filter, can rot through from the outside.
Take off the front underside motor cover.
Thats as much as I did, sprayed all the ground connections I could find, there may be more.
After doing all this work why not just out a brand new filter in
thank you for sharing
What would the cost be to have Tesla do it, and replace the hepa?
Thank you John! I've had my model 3 since 2018 and it is definitely time for me to do this
@@hsiaohu2959 omg, please send me a picture of what it looks like in there. Whenever you get to it. No rush. I would like to share with everyone. You can send to me on X at @jonbbc.
If all that debris accumulates just from driving around, then all you should need to do is drive in reverse to get the debris out. Ferris told me this works. 😂
I dont need to do this. I installed a screen over the grill to catch all this debris. :D
It's really more about how many miles you put on the car. Time isn't the main factor. How Many Miles?
This is for every car folks 😮
How about cleaning it with water after removing all the debris?
@@zadigre If you remove the front bumper and have full access to this area, then yes, I would recommend doing that. This is intended to be a quick maintenance procedure to get the main debris items out of there. 👍
We have to do this every 6 months with our tractors or they overheat and the AC stops working ❤
I installed a bug screen since new. Problem solved.
❤anyone that has access to a SEBO or Miele Dealer Shop can get an under frig or oven vacuum flat extension to clean the radiator safely for under 15 usd.
Should have been designed to provide easier access for routine maintenance
I had to clean out my radiator recently on my 2021 model S( I didn’t have to remove the bumper) I had a protector on my model Y performance that I purchased from Amazon but for the Model S I could not find one. I had to make one out of gutter mesh (black in color) that I purchased from Home Depot. I shaped it to blend in and used plastic black stripes to secure it to the grill. Works great 😊 subscribed. Ps I had cigarette buds , bugs and and a ton of leaves. Central Florida where I live has tons of oak trees 😮
Doesn't tesla provide services for this?
@@GregMOlympian nope. Not unless you ask for it specifically.
If you don't remove the front bumper, you can't completely clean both radiator coils. To really clean both radiators, you have to pressure wash them. And the only way to pressure wash them is to remove the plastic cowling after the front bumper is removed. This is better than nothing, and it will make a difference, but your radiators are still clogged with dirt, dead bugs and debris. Pressure washing will clean them all the way through..
Using your system, you can also use coil cleaner (Home Depot sells it for about $15) and you can use a hose with a pressure nozzle. If you have a portable steam cleaner (they are pretty cheap), you can also use it to get rid of trapped debris.
Using a pressure washer or jet nozzle on radiator fins is terrible advice.
@@dvader3263 Says someone who has never cleaned the two radiators in a Tesla Model 3. A HOSE with a pressure nozzle won't hurt the radiators. A PRESSURE WASHER used correctly will not hurt the radiators. There are videos of individuals using pressure washers to clean Model 3 radiators on UA-cam.
You DO have a point, though, because the fins on the Model 3 radiators are soft and easily bent. So you have to be very careful to choose the right pressure settings when you pressure wash the radiators. That is a good point, and I am glad that you brought it up.
For everyone, be careful when you wash the radiator fins, because they do bend easily.
@@franklong6269I have owned more than a few dozen vehicles, old and new, have done a lot of home remodeling and maintenance and cleaning of exterior A/C units, along with all of my vehicle maintenance for several decades, including flushing vehicle radiators, replacing radiators, installation of vehicle finned oil and fluid coolers, plate and fin oil/fluid coolers and stacked plate oil and fluid coolers.
Attempting to pressure wash a radiator is a bad idea for most people, especially considering how easy it is to bend delicate radiator fins if using a high powered pressure washer with a narrow angle nozzle.
Ask any radiator shop if using a high PSI pressure washer to clean an exposed radiator is a good idea for just anyone to attempt.
They'll say no.
I installed an aftermarket screen on our 2021 Model 3 and 2023 Model Y right after purchasing them when new.
There were small stones lying on the front radiator of the Model 3, as it had been delivered to our home on December 31, 2021 in a location where there was a dusting of snow and a bit of ice. Gravel had been laid down on the local roads by County gravel trucks.
Upon close inspection of the vehicle after delivery, I noticed some approximately 1/8 inch diameter red rocks (possibly lava) sitting on the fins and plastic housing when looking through the front grill of the Model 3.
I ordered a front grill screen for the vehicle that night.
Unless you're a really old person, or you're a mechanic or HVAC technician, U probably don't have more experience with cars and home radiator or A/C coils and fins than I do.
And if U do have more experience than I, you've given some bad advice for the World to see.
A flashlight at the clips would help us see. I can not see crap with your hand in the way
Tesla service should do this service for …. $150 (?).
Moby!
Cigarette butt.?..that's why tesla's catch on fire. Lol
Tesla hätte das Problem lösen können wenn die Luft von schräg unten durch den Kühler strömen würde.
My 2023 model Y looks like that, the radiator is at a 45% angle and can be seen from the slot in the bumper. I have seen some people getting a rock chip that damaged the coils though.
Take it to Tesla and ask them to do it and pay for it.
CyberTruck? 🤔
The BGM is annoying 😢
Sorry you didn't like it.
Too much works. Just drive it like you stole it for 4-5 years and trade in for a newer car before the warranty is expired. No need to worry. 😅
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You need to remove the radiators, in this way you can clean then and change liquid