Help-Replace tire sensor or grommet?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Help-Replace tire sensor or grommet?
I need some assistance with making a decision regarding the sensor for my 02 C5. The driver's side tire loses air. I have had the tire checked multiple times and there are no leaks. I was told it was the sensor. I was instructed to tighten the nut on the valve stem but this does not solve the problem. I lose about 5-7lbs of air/week. The sensor in the tire works as the display for low pressure pops up at about 24lbs. I was recently told that instead of replacing the sensor that the grommet might be the cheapest fix. Thanks for any assistance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,808
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From: Sierra Foothills California
I'm getting ready to replace all 4 sensors on my 2000. I've been getting occasional low pressure warnings (although the tire pressure is OK) The sensors are dying. I was quoted $85.00 each. I think I'd go ahead and replace the sensor. The store where I bought the tires said they'd do the labor free as I'd bought the tires from them (America's Discount Tires) They were very careful with my magnesium wheels.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
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I was told to use a small wrench but to be honest I have just been keeping a watch on my tire pressure and keeping air in the tire. I had it tightened a couple of times by the service center and it made no difference. I was told by a dealership about changing the sensor but was told by another Corvette owner about the grommet. I am looking for someone with experience to point me in the right direction.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Where is it leaking? Is it leaking from around the valve stem or is it leaking from the schrader valve in the stem?
You can easily find out by mixing up some soap and water and pouring it on the area and watching for the bubbles. If it's the schrader valve just replace the valve. What year is your car? On the 97-00 sensors you can replace the O ring, but to do so you have to brake down the tire and remove the tire pressure sensor. If it's the newer style 01-04 there is no O ring to replace.
You can easily find out by mixing up some soap and water and pouring it on the area and watching for the bubbles. If it's the schrader valve just replace the valve. What year is your car? On the 97-00 sensors you can replace the O ring, but to do so you have to brake down the tire and remove the tire pressure sensor. If it's the newer style 01-04 there is no O ring to replace.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
The "grommet" on the '01-'04 variant is integral to the sensor. I have hear do fit being replaced. The '97-'00 variant had an "o" ring that you could buy at places like Home Depot and replace.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
sorry meant to add that the nuts are aluminum on soft metal valve stems. It is possible that your leak is because someone already over torqued them and have stripped the threads leaving a poor fit.
I don't have access to my shop manual but the correct torque is very low something like 3-5 foot pounds.. (35 or 63 INCH pounds) on '01 and newer
I don't have access to my shop manual but the correct torque is very low something like 3-5 foot pounds.. (35 or 63 INCH pounds) on '01 and newer
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,365
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Actually there is a "rebuild kit" for the 01-04 sensors that includes a grommet. Discount Tire charged me about $7.00 and change per wheel for the kit when I had new rims mounted and when I challenged them on the cost because I had been told there was no grommet or O'Ring for the 01-04 sensors they showed me the kit that was used. It included a grommet, the aluminum nut, a shrader valve and a chrome valve cap. I'll look up my receipt later today and post their part number.
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Could be the O-ring is not seating properly. Might want to replace it and see if that solves your leak.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
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Thanks to all of your for your input. I have a 2002 Coupe. I am not sure where the leak is, that is the problem. I have had Les Schwab look at it three times and they finally told me it must be the sensor. I have talked to Lithia about it and they want me to replace the sensor, with no mention of buying just a grommet kit. You are probably correct about the nut being stripped as it was done so many times. I have passed all your information on to someone more in the know than this city girl in hopes that I can finally get this problem taken care of. I will definitely look into the grommet kit though as the price is far better and I feel the sensor is doing it's job.
Thanks again! Charlene
Thanks again! Charlene
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
There is no replaceable grommet on 01-04 tire pressure sensors. If it's leaking around the stem and you can't get it to stop by tightening you can replace the nut, these can be purchased seperately, if its leaking through the stem the schrader valve is leaking you can replace that, these can be purchased very cheap any auto parts or just about any store that has an auto section. But the 01-04 do not come from the factory with a grommet or O ring. You might be able to buy a kit to do it as was suggested above that comes with a new schrader valve, nut and cap at a Tire dealer, but do not put a grommet or O ring on it it didn't come that way from the factory.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I think you have to look down the road a little. How much longer are you going to keep the car? If you are going to be keeping your car for a while you need to consider that your TP Sensor batteries are approaching end of life. What is the condition of the tire in question plus the other tires? How much will it cost to get the tire broken down and replace the sensor? If it is a run flat tire the expense is much higher than for a non run flat tire.
Even if you can replace the O Ring it still may be wise to replace the sensor if the cost of breaking a Run Flat tire down is as high as it is in my area. If it hasn't failed yet it is going to fail soon anyways. If you are going to need new tires soon then wait until you replace the tires.
Bill
Even if you can replace the O Ring it still may be wise to replace the sensor if the cost of breaking a Run Flat tire down is as high as it is in my area. If it hasn't failed yet it is going to fail soon anyways. If you are going to need new tires soon then wait until you replace the tires.
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
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From: North Port Fl
Battery life for the 01-04 sensors is 10 years, unlike the 97-00 which is only 7 years and as I've stated before there is no replaceable grommet or O ring on the 01-04 sensors, but if for some reason you are going to break down the tire, it would probably be more prudent to replace the sensor. But you shouldn't have to brake down the tire.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
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The tires are about 3 years old and have about 20K miles on them. They are NOT run-flats though. They still have about 50% wear on them so they should last a while. Not sure about how long I will be keeping the car. That is yet to be decided but no immediate plans for anything newer. I will try to find out if the leak is from the valve or nut. Sounds like to be sure it might be best just to replace the sensor and play it safe. I just know it cannot be good for the tire to constantly be losing air. I didn't drive it for 2 weeks and it actually went down to 18lbs. I hadn't ever seen it that low before.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had a balance weight cause a leak. They fitted peripheral weights rather than stick ons and it unseated the bead. My drivers side rear is doing the same and I've also decided that its probably the o seal. I have a new sensor waiting to go on.
You could try some washing up liquid around the valve to see if you get any bubbles showing. At least that would tie down the source of the leak.
You could try some washing up liquid around the valve to see if you get any bubbles showing. At least that would tie down the source of the leak.
