My tire appears to have a slow leak and I'm pretty sure its comming from the valve stem.

Its happen with both my snow and normal tires and is limited to just one.

When put air in there is a slight his after I remove the air hose and i can feel a little bit of air come out and it stops after a few seconds.

If the valve needs relpacing is it all once piece with the TPMS?

 

They make rebuild kits for the guts of the stem. You'll have to do a search for the kit. It is cheaper than ordering a whole new sensor and less hassle because you don't have to get it reprogrammed at the dealer.
Stan

 

The metal piece inside the stem could have unscrewed a little. There is a special tool that you can tighten it with. Try that.... but before you do that, just take a little spray bottle of water and soap. Spray around and look for the bubbles. Then you will find the answer!

 

The valve core could just need tightening. You can pick up the tool at any auto parts store for less than $2. I have removed the core and it is no different than any other. You can either pick some up at the parts store as well, or a tire store would probably just give you one.

What you describe sounds like it may just be the core. I would try this first before going for the rebuild kit and having to break the tire down to install the kit.

 

Check to see if the leak is coming out of the stem with soapy water as suggested, and if it is tighten the valve core and check with soap again.
If it still leaks get the core removal tool and the new core handy, if the tire is still inflated you can replace the core easily, unscrew the old core as fast as you can and quickly insert the new stem without it getting blown out of your grip. If you are quick you only lose about 10 to 20 PSI, if you are slow you lose it all. Re-inflate and re-test with soap, good luck.
Some valve caps come with the slot in the top that are required to remove cores, these are steel caps and are good to keep around if you have one.

 

thanks I think I may the tool, it came with a bottle of tire slime i bought as a holodver til my dealer got me My real crossfire pump and sealant

 

I had the same issue with my drag radials, I bought the valve core tool for $1.86 at advance auto and tightened them up and that solved the issue.

 

When you tighten the valve stem do you tighten the whole vavle from the outside or the inner valve "pin"

A pic would be great cant seem to find one

 

just the inside.

 

Here's an easy old timer way to check for a stem leak without soapy water. Apply a little spit from a finger over the valve stem hole. Fill the hole with it, and if it bubbles the valve inside of the stem needs to be tightened or maybe replaced (it's usually just loose). Like others have mentioned there is a cheap tool for this, or some stem covers have sharp double prong on the top for this. A sharp pointed needle-nose pliers also works. The valve just screws into the inside of the stem clockwise.

Or better yet stop by a tire shop and they will probably check it for free?

 

Got a question about the TPMS. I was trying to get my new wheels mounted today and ran into a snag. I thought the TPMS was in the valve stem, but pulled the tire back and thats just a normal valve stem. Where is the TPMS located??

 

The tire pressure sensor/transmitter is on the inside of the tire on the other end of the valve stem, it is white and about 3/4" x 3/4" x 3/8" thick if memory serves me correctly as I only saw one once on a snow tire. The receiver is part of the garage door opener receiver.

 

Skyshadow,

The TPMS is on the end of the valve stem. The units I have seen are all located on the opposite end of the valve stem. Here is some general information on TPMS with a photograph of a TPMS unit if you would like to know;

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?code=TPMSLP

Good luck and stay safe...


Respectfully,


Paul (MisterTaz)

 

Just went to a tire shop they said valve core not relaceable on tpms cars
Has anyone actuallu replaced it pn an xfire?

 

I have not replaced one, but they are replaceable. The TPMS unit costs $40 or so and you throw it out for a $1 part that failed. See Taz's link above for a photo of a unit and the replaceable parts in it.

PS: Do not use the slime for fixing punctures, if you do the TPMS sending unit will be toast not just the valve.

 

I have the tool to remove the core but cant seem to remove the core, is there a trick to it?

it seems like its not catching the valve enogh to turn it

 

themush,

Are you pushing the tool in far enough to let air out of the valve stem? In order to engage the flat "blade" on the valve core you must push the center pin of the valve in far enough to engage the slot on the tool with the "blade" portion of the valve core.

Air is supposed to escape while you engage the tool and valve core. Good luck.

Stay safe...


Respectfully,


Paul (MisterTaz)

 

I have done this and no air escaped until the core was loosened and when it came out it flew into the air. I quickly screwed in the new core and the tire still had a reasonable amount of air in it.
The secret is to work smoothly and not try and rush it and drop the new core.

 

So do I not have TPMS? Is it not on the base, Cause i looked at every wheel valve stem and they are just normal stems...

 

Not on Base models.