SB-19-40-002

Tesla, Inc.

January 26, 2019

Service Bulletin

Inspect For Rear Drive Unit Breather
Classification

Campaign Bulletin

Section/Group

40 - Rear Drive
Unit

Country/Region

North America

Year

2017

Model

Model 3

Version

All

Bulletin Classification: This campaign bulletin addresses a known non-safety-related condition and provides
recommended technical diagnosis and repair procedures. Apply this procedure to all vehicles in the affected VIN range
listed. These instructions assume knowledge of motor vehicle and high voltage electrical component repairs, and should
only be executed by trained professionals. Tesla assumes no liability for injury or property damage due to a failure to
properly follow these instructions or repairs attempted by unqualified individuals.

Condition
Certain Model 3 vehicles might have been manufactured without a rear drive unit (RDU) breather, and consequently might
have contaminated gearbox fluid.

Correction
Inspect the vehicle for symptoms related to the condition. If symptoms are present, install a breather or replace the rear
drive unit, depending upon inspection results.

Correction Description

Correction

Time

SB-19-40-002 Not Applicable

S011940002

0.00

Inspect For RDU Breather, No Breather Installation Necessary

S021940002

0.25

Inspect For RDU Breather And Install Breather

S031940002

3.5

Inspect For RDU Breather, Flush Gearbox, And Install Breather

S041940002

4.55

Inspect For RDU Breather, Flush Gearbox, Inspect Oil Screen, And Install Breather

S051940002

4.65

Inspect For RDU Breather, Flush Gearbox, Inspect Oil Screen, And Replace Rear
Drive Unit

S061940002

6.55

SB-19-40-002

Page 1 of 4

Required Part(s): Part Number
If necessary:
1095038-00-A
1111033-00-D
1117669-00-A
1108958-00-A
1108907-00-A
1101758-00-A
1447684-00-A
1094961-00-A
1108210-00-A
1108211-00-A
1108214-00-A
1120980-00-D

Description

Quantity

OIL FILTER,SYNTHETIC,3DU
M3 2R BOLSTER CLIP
BOLT,5-LOBE,M6X19,[109],ZNNI,MAT,PTP,SEAL
SEAL,PROBE LID,HVBAT
BREATHER, NITTO Z-PLUG-S
ASY,BREATHER,3DU
BOLT,HF,M14-2.0x103,[10.9],ZNFL,SMAT
ASY, OIL SCREEN MOLDED
OIL PUMP O-RING,HNBR,ID 38x2MM,BLACK,50A
OIL PUMP O-RING,HNBR,ID 58x2MM,BLACK,50A
OIL PUMP O-RING,HNBR,AS568-142,GREEN,50A
ASY,3DUR,MOSFET-HC

3
1
2
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
1

Shop supplies:
Shop towel
Funnel
LUBRICANT, ATF-9
COOLANT, TESLA G-48
These part numbers were current at the time of publication. Use the revisions listed or later,
unless otherwise specified in the Parts Manual.
Special Tool(s):

1129405-00-A
1131264-00-A
1129348-00-A

Video Scope, OTC 3880X
Switchbox, Oil Pump, Model 3
Jump Start, XP-10

Inspection
1. Remove the mid aero shield panel (refer to Service Manual procedure 12030502).
2. Use the video scope to inspect the top of the rear drive unit gearbox (Figure 1).
•

If a breather is installed (Figure 2), make a note in the Cause Narrative field of the Repair Order, install the mid
aero shield panel (Service Manual procedure 12030502), and discontinue this procedure.

•

If a breather is not installed, make a note in the Cause Narrative field of the Repair Order, create a Toolbox
session, escalate the Toolbox session to zone, and continue to the next step.

Figure 1 (Video scope camera placement location)
SB-19-40-002

Figure 2 (Video scope view of breather installed)
Page 2 of 4

3. Drain the fluid from the gearbox into a clean pan for inspection, and allow to sit for 5 minutes (refer to Service Manual
procedure 40300102).
TIP: A transparent pan can make inspection for water and debris easier.
4. After 5 minutes, inspect the fluid.
5. Cover a funnel with one layer of a clean shop towel, pour the fluid through the shop towel and funnel into a second
pan, and inspect the fluid and shop towel as this is done.
6. Make a note of the color, consistency, contamination, and any pertinent information in the “Cause Narrative” field of
the Repair Order and the Toolbox session, and then perform the appropriate procedure as indicated in this table:
Color
Purple

Consistency
Transparent

Contamination
None

Visually

Procedure
Install the Breather

Purple

Transparent

Water at bottom of
drain pan, no
debris

Flush the Gearbox

Lilac

Milky or frothy

Water well mixed
with fluid, no
debris

Flush the Gearbox

Any

Debris

Debris, such as
metal shavings,
with or without
water

Inspect the Oil Screen

Procedures
NOTE: Perform only one of the following procedures.

Install the Breather
1. Install the breather (refer to Service Manual procedure 40305402).
2. Refill the gearbox with new fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).

SB-19-40-002

Page 3 of 4

Flush the Gearbox
1. Refill the gearbox with new fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).
2. Use the XP-10 jump start and oil pump switchbox to operate the oil pump for 5 minutes.
3. Drain and refill the gearbox with new fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).
4. Use the XP-10 jump start and oil pump switchbox to operate the oil pump for 5 minutes.
5. Drain the gearbox fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).
6. Install the breather (refer to Service Manual procedure 40305402).
7. Refill the gearbox with new fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).

Inspect the Oil Screen
1. Refill the gearbox with new fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).
2. Use the XP-10 jump start and oil pump switchbox to operate the oil pump for 5 minutes.
3. Drain and refill the gearbox with new fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).
4. Use the XP-10 jump start and oil pump switchbox to operate the oil pump for 5 minutes.
5. Drain the gearbox fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).
6. Remove the oil screen (refer to Service Manual procedure 40305002).
7. Inspect the oil pump and oil screen for debris.
•

If debris is found on either the oil pump or oil screen, make a note in the “Cause Narrative” field of the Repair
Order and Toolbox session, take photographs of the debris and attach them to the session, escalate the session,
and wait for further instruction.

•

If debris is not found, continue to the next step.

8. Install a new oil screen and the removed oil pump (refer to Service Manual procedure 40305002).
9. Install the breather (refer to Service Manual procedure 40305402).
10. Refill the gearbox with new fluid (refer to Service Manual procedure 40300102).

Affected VIN(s)

Affected Model 3 vehicles built between approximately November 2, 2017 and March 14, 2018.
NOTE: This is a simplified summary of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or
Customer/Vehicle profile to determine applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle.

For feedback on the accuracy of this document, email ServiceBulletinFeedback@tesla.com.

SB-19-40-002

Page 4 of 4