Leak From Valve Stem Base
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 19
From: Levittown NY
Leak From Valve Stem Base
This morning I had a RF tire low pressure warning. figured it was due to colder overnite weather. Just checked the pressure tonight and it had dropped a pound. Sprayed soapy water on to stem/TPMS and saw bubbling. Tightened the nut but it continued to leak. I removed the nut just to see what the assembly looked like and I have a question. Is there supposed to be an o ring or something similar underneath this nut? There was nothing underneath mine. New rims were recently installed and the TPMS was moved to the new rim and I am wondering if it was not installed correctly. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
There is an o-ring...sort of a rubber washer, but it is on the inside, so you would not see it if you take off the nut. It is very easy to cut this rubber accidentally when installing, this is probably what happened. Take it back and they will fix it...no big deal.
The wheel in this pic goes between the rubber gasket and the nut.
The wheel in this pic goes between the rubber gasket and the nut.
Last edited by cclive; Oct 3, 2011 at 12:28 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
When you transfer a TPMS from one wheel to another it's recommended that you get a new TPMS 'kit' that includes the new o-ring/gasket and a nut.
The gasket is a bit fragile and easy to damage if the nut is over-tightened.
The gasket is a bit fragile and easy to damage if the nut is over-tightened.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 3
From: West Linn OR
I had one leak on the rear- it would only leak when it was cold outside- they looked for it and couldn't find it- I told them several times to check the valve stem. Finally the 5th time, they dismounted the tire and what do ya think they found? Well a torn seal @ the valve stem just like I told them, 3 tire shops and 5 visits later. There were no bubbles when immersed. I think the torn seal was so minimal that it had to have weight on it to leak and also be colder than usual.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,515
Likes: 255
From: Rochester New York
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 19
From: Levittown NY
There is an o-ring...sort of a rubber washer, but it is on the inside, so you would not see it if you take off the nut. It is very easy to cut this rubber accidentally when installing, this is probably what happened. Take it back and they will fix it...no big deal.
The wheel in this pic goes between the rubber gasket and the nut.
The wheel in this pic goes between the rubber gasket and the nut.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Spec is something like 62 INCH/pounds. Not much.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
The rebuild kits are only $4-5 a piece. A good tire shop can deflate the tire and rebuild the sensor without removing the tire from the wheel. Guessing it might cost $20-25/wheel.An excellent shop here in town did that for me correcting what another shop screwed up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 19
From: Levittown NY
I just went thru a similar exercise just trying to get the wheels road force balanced correctly, third guy did a perfect job. Will go to him to have this done. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
I got the first shop to reimburse me $80 for not being able to balance the new wheels and tires. I'm about to request an additional $85 for screwing up my new sensors by adding a rubber grommet to the outside causing me to get all 4 rebuilt. You might pursue a similar course. Good luck.
