difficult leak
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
difficult leak
Had the tires from Tire Rack mounted on rims from House of wheels a few weeks back. Ended up with a slow leak in right rear. Would go down very slowly, couple pounds a week when driven in town or on read to Sedona(less the 50 mph). Took wheel off and checked all around both sides of rim, valve stem area, and tread. No bubbles. Saturday left on a little trip on freeway(80-85mph) and tire went down and low pressure warning came on. Young man stopped with air tank, we filled up tire and headed back the Flagstaff. Tire went from 40 to 25 pounds in 10 miles. Got home and again checked for bubbles with soap solution. No leaks. Finally the light went on and I tightened the wheel sensor nut. It was holding air until I drove the car over 50-55 mph. I guess the centrifical force would tilt the sensor just enough to allow it to leak at speeds over 50 and not at lower speeds or at rest. It wasn't really that loose, just not tight. Thanks to the sensors I didn't ruin an expensive tire or rim.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
This has happened to a few others here too and is good info for new owners. 
One recommendation that I have is to make sure that the nut is torqued to the proper spec, and then apply a drop or two of Loc-Tite green at the area where the stem comes out of the nut. Loc-Tite green is designed to be used on assembled fasteners and "wicks" it's way into the threads. It also has the added advantage of not being as "permanent" as the blue or red. Important come wheel/tire change time.
Robert
One recommendation that I have is to make sure that the nut is torqued to the proper spec, and then apply a drop or two of Loc-Tite green at the area where the stem comes out of the nut. Loc-Tite green is designed to be used on assembled fasteners and "wicks" it's way into the threads. It also has the added advantage of not being as "permanent" as the blue or red. Important come wheel/tire change time.
Robert
