with all having been there.
Leak at tire pressure sensor....HELP
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: Van Wert Ohio
Leak at tire pressure sensor....HELP
I just had my new Z06 wheels put on my 98 Friday (sorry no pics) and tonight I get a low pressure notice on the left rear. I put a little soapy water around the valve stem and got slow bubbles. Can these be tightened from the outside or do I have to take it back to the tire guy to be tightened on the inside?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I just had my new Z06 wheels put on my 98 Friday (sorry no pics) and tonight I get a low pressure notice on the left rear. I put a little soapy water around the valve stem and got slow bubbles. Can these be tightened from the outside or do I have to take it back to the tire guy to be tightened on the inside?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I just had my new Z06 wheels put on my 98 Friday (sorry no pics) and tonight I get a low pressure notice on the left rear. I put a little soapy water around the valve stem and got slow bubbles. Can these be tightened from the outside or do I have to take it back to the tire guy to be tightened on the inside?
Using an 11mm (or 7/16") 6 pt. deep socket, tighten it just a bit. If you don't have a torque wrench, don't crazy here as the torque value on those nuts is 106 inch pounds (or 12 Nm). The nuts are aluminum so you can booger one up pretty easy and damage it from overtightening.
Check it with soapy water again after you're finished. If you still keep having trouble, take it back to your tire guy and have him remove the tire again and check the small o-ring on the inside located on the stem itself. Maybe it's cut or damaged.
If tightening it takes care of the problem, go to an auto parts store and buy a small tube of Loc-Tite green. Apply a couple drops at the stem/nut area. The green is designed to be used on assembled fasteners and will wick it's way into the threads to keep the nut from loosening in the future. Works great.
HTH,
Robert
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 32
I just had my new Z06 wheels put on my 98 Friday (sorry no pics) and tonight I get a low pressure notice on the left rear. I put a little soapy water around the valve stem and got slow bubbles. Can these be tightened from the outside or do I have to take it back to the tire guy to be tightened on the inside?
If they look inside, check the seal on the sensor and also check the face surface in the wheel where the sensor seats. Any burrs or a spotface that isn't flat (unlikely problems) might make it hard to get a good seal. Although unlikely to happen to you, I sent a wheel back recently because it had a burr on the inside face of the valve stem hole. Vendor thought I was nuts.
Wow. In the time it took me to type this, several others already gave you good answers. At least everyone is consistent.
Last edited by RA91925; Jul 28, 2007 at 10:44 PM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: Van Wert Ohio
I believe it worked. I'll check periodically, but for now no bubbles! I knew you guys would have advice. I had a C3 for 12 years and became able to tackle anything based on good advice from the forum. I'm still a little nervous on my C5 but as usual you all came through.
I do need to say a good word about the dealer that did the switch. Bud's Chevy in St. Mary's Ohio switched the tires and sensors and balanced with stick on weights for $140 which I thought was reasonable. They are a large Corvette dealer so I was impressed with the care they used. They let me go back to service any time to observe and had 3 other Vettes in the shop at the same time.
Thanks for the help !
Mike
I do need to say a good word about the dealer that did the switch. Bud's Chevy in St. Mary's Ohio switched the tires and sensors and balanced with stick on weights for $140 which I thought was reasonable. They are a large Corvette dealer so I was impressed with the care they used. They let me go back to service any time to observe and had 3 other Vettes in the shop at the same time.
Thanks for the help
!Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
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From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Just a note - it is possible that the 'leak' is temporarily 'fixed' by the tightening (to spec) of the outside connector.
However - many times the "O" ring has either deteriorated over time, or has been overtightened in the past.
If the above has occurred it will be necessary to remove the existing "O" ring (requires disassembly of tires from wheels) and replacement of same.
In the future - always replace the "O" rings when changing wheels or tires. Always require the installer to tighten the 'nut' to OEM specs.
However - many times the "O" ring has either deteriorated over time, or has been overtightened in the past.
If the above has occurred it will be necessary to remove the existing "O" ring (requires disassembly of tires from wheels) and replacement of same.
In the future - always replace the "O" rings when changing wheels or tires. Always require the installer to tighten the 'nut' to OEM specs.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Down in the west Texas town of El Paso TX
When I replaced my wheels, I used the green A/C "O" rings in the same diameter as the originals to install the sensors. They are a little thicker, and I have not had any leak problems.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,618
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From: Ohio
I believe it worked. I'll check periodically, but for now no bubbles! I knew you guys would have advice. I had a C3 for 12 years and became able to tackle anything based on good advice from the forum. I'm still a little nervous on my C5 but as usual you all came through.
I do need to say a good word about the dealer that did the switch. Bud's Chevy in St. Mary's Ohio switched the tires and sensors and balanced with stick on weights for $140 which I thought was reasonable. They are a large Corvette dealer so I was impressed with the care they used. They let me go back to service any time to observe and had 3 other Vettes in the shop at the same time.
Thanks for the help !
Mike
I do need to say a good word about the dealer that did the switch. Bud's Chevy in St. Mary's Ohio switched the tires and sensors and balanced with stick on weights for $140 which I thought was reasonable. They are a large Corvette dealer so I was impressed with the care they used. They let me go back to service any time to observe and had 3 other Vettes in the shop at the same time.
Thanks for the help
!Mike
I bought my Vette from Bud's, and I am happy with their service too.
I took my new Goodyear GS-D3's to Buds to have them mounted and road-force balanced.
I put in new tire pressure sensors at the same time. I picked up a second set of 2004 rims off the forum for sale.
They have a great Corvette showroom!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Willis Texas
vett79 Did the same thing last week, put Z06 wheels on my 99. Discount tire had to install thicker o rings to stop the leak. I think there's a ridge where the early sensors do not seat right on the Z06 rims. Thicker oring solved the problem
